Shihpoo = Shih Tzu + Miniature Poodle
The Shihpoo is a cross between the Shih Tzu and the Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle. He may only be a small dog, but he packs a powerful personality into his little frame.
Now we all know…
That cute puppies are always in “fashion,” and the Poo Puppies are as cute as they get. That’s why we wanted to take a moment and discuss the “breed” in a bit more detail so that if you are currently considering purchasing a Shihpoo puppy or, better yet, adopting a Shihpoo rescue dog, you’ll have a better idea of what that will be like.
Because…
The last thing we would like to see happen here at IndulgeYourPet is to see someone choose to adopt a dog for all the right reasons, only to be someone that isn’t quite “right” for a particular breed.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Shihpoo Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Original Purpose: Companion animal
Height: 8 to 15 inches
Weight: 7 to 20 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: “Designer” or “Hybrid” dog breeds are currently not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Life Span: 15 or more years
History of the Shihpoo Dog Breed
The Shihpoo dog breed is a cross between a Toy Poodle and a Shih Tzu. The Poodle is from Germany, and the Shih Tzu is from Tibet, China.
When was the Shihpoo first developed, and where?
We don’t know that for sure. However, it is generally believed that the Shihpoo was first developed 25 to 30 years back in the United States, but we can’t be sure. What we do know for sure is that these dogs have become quite popular since the 2000s. Everyone likes cute puppies these days, and the Poo Puppies are adorable.
The American Kennel Club refuses to recognize the Shihpoo as a mixed breed or designer dog.
Physical Characteristics of the Shihpoo Dog Breed
Appearance
Shihpoos are small dogs that vary in size depending on which side is more dominant. If the Poodle side is more prevalent, the Shihpoo can grow to 15 inches. If the Shih Tzu side dominates, you can expect this dog to have a size of 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder level.
Shihpoo’s also…
Have a small, compact, and lean body shape. They are short-legged dogs and have a low base. Their face is almost human, and they often have an expression that makes them look like they are pleading for something.
Coat
Shihpoos have a thick and moderately long double coat – soft undercoat and coarse topcoat. The skin can be of different colors such as black, white, brindle, gold, black and white, particolored, and brown and white. These dogs shed a lot, so you should make it a point to brush their coat once daily.
Temperament and Personality of a Shihpoo
Shihpoo puppies are better suited to a home with older children who are at least 6 or 7 years old and know how to behave with dogs.
The problem with toddlers is that they get too excited around puppies and do things like pull at the puppy’s tail or ears or try to mount it like a horse!
No dog likes to be disrespected like that.
Some breeds, such as Saint Bernard, are blessed with infinite patience and can tolerate such antics by kids. But small species such as the Shihpoo- not so much.
And…
Don’t be surprised if the Poo Puppies snap at a toddler who takes too many liberties with it. That could scare your toddler, who may never want to play with a dog again. You don’t want that. So, wait until your child is at least 6 or 7 before bringing one of those cute Shihpoo puppies home.
The thing about Shihpoo’s…
Is that they are smart but have a mind of their own. It’s not so easy to train them. You should use a mix of firmness, love, and food rewards to teach these little puppies.
Potential Health Concerns
The Shihpoo is a healthy dog breed with an excellent life expectancy of 15 years. That’s pretty good for a dog. That’s as good as it gets. But like all dog breeds, even the Shihpoo is susceptible to specific health issues such as…
- Brachycephalic Syndrome,
- Dental Disease,
- Hip Dysplasia,
- Intervertebral Disc Disease,
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca,
- Patellar Luxation,
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
- Sebaceous Adenitis,
- Von Willebrand’s Disease.
Fortunately
None of these health issues are life-threatening by any chance. But these are recurring problems, so their treatment can cost a lot. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
I have owned three Shih Poos and all were hypoallergenic. And did not shed.
This is the only page I have seen that they do shed? Where did you get this information?
Thanks
Sharee,
Like much of our information that we post on this site, we obtained through research and reading other materials out there about a particular breed. A method we understand will always fall short of speaking to someone like you who is very familiar with the breed.
So, thank you for sharing your personal experience with this breed. We’re sure many of our readers will find it useful.
Thanks,
IndulgeYourPet.
Yes my dogs don’t sheered at all. But is I brush him things start coming out. They are amazing dogs.