Shih Tzu Poodle Mix is a mix between Shih Tzu and Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are small, hypoallergenic, and cuddly companions. They are alternatively known as Pooshi, Shoodle, and Shih-Poo. However, it is essential not to confuse them with Poo-Shi (Poodle Shiba Inu Mix).
Shih-Poo is a recently established designer dog breed from North America. The Shih Tzu parent is from Chinese Royalty, while Poodle is from Germany. Their royal DNA will be seen if Shih Tzu characteristics dominate the Shipoo puppy.
Table of Contents
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Hypoallergenic
Not good for new owners
Low maintenance
Weight gaining tendencies
Less Exercise
Health issues
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Basic Informations
Name: Shih Tzu Poodle mix
Height: 8 – 18 inches
Weight: 8 – 18 pounds
Size: Toy
Coat: Curly/Straight fur
Color: Black, white, brown, brindle, red, sable, black and tan.
Energy: Medium
Activities: Companion dogs, family dogs, active, intelligent
Group: Mixed breed
Barking Level: Low to medium
Shedding Level: Low
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Litter Size: 3 – 5 puppies
Life Span: 13 to 17+ years
Other names: Pooshi, Shoodle, Shih-poo, Shihdoodle.
Breed Recognition: The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR).
Agility, Conformation, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Obedience, Rally
Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs
Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs
Complications in breeding
No
No
No
No
Litter size
2 – 5 puppies
6 puppies
3 puppies
5 puppies
Life span
10 – 16 years
10 to 15 years
12 – 15 years
10 – 15 years
Other names
Chinese Lion Dog and Chrysanthemum Dog
Pudel, Caniche
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Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Personality
Your Shih Tzu and Poodle mix puppy will inherit his appearance according to the traits he inherits from the parents. Therefore, the coat texture can vary from being soft, solid to wavy and curly with several other colors. ShiPoo may have a single coat if the Poodle trait dominates or double-coated if the Shih Tzu gene is dominant. Although they have long coats, they do not shed much, making them hypoallergenic.
Shih-Poo can have long muzzles eliminating the risks of respiratory issues similar to that of Shih Tzu’s short muzzle. He might grow up with a lovely under-bite, a characteristic shared by almost all Shih Tzus. They have a robust body despite their miniature size. They have bulbous faces and eyes that are positioned wide apart.
Friendliness Overview
Affectionate
Medium to high
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Pet-friendly
Low to medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium to high
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
Low to medium
Sensitivity
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Low to medium
Hot tolerance
Low to medium
Cold tolerance
Medium
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Temperament
Shih-Poos make excellent companion animals for almost everyone, but elderlies would be an ideal fit. They enjoy being petted, pampered, and cherished. They are pretty adaptable and may survive in various settings, including a private residence, an apartment, or a studio apartment. Poodles and Shih-Tzus are both amiable and extroverted dogs who usually are not shy and scared. They are active, agile, and intelligent. This breed is well-known for getting along with individuals of all ages, particularly those who show love and appreciation. They are ecstatic to be touched and cared for. Positive and consistent socializing from an early age can help to foster this. They may not usually get along with dogs outside the household, but they can be good companions for dogs at home when bought as a puppy.
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Training
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix puppy is intelligent, witty, and ready to learn. Therefore, training him with tricks, behaviors, games, and obedience, when bought as a puppy, is a wise idea. Despite their intelligence, Shih-Poos may be obstinate and rebellious, and he may not respond well to instruction; house training can take up to a year. Because of his limited attention span, your dog will thrive in short, streamlined training sessions. To attain the desired outcomes, you will need a lot of patience.
The importance of socialization in the training of any dog, especially this breed, should not be underestimated. While a dog is properly socialized, he learns how to act among strangers and when interacting with people. It also connects them to other pets, which helps to keep them calm and happy. A stressed dog is constantly on edge and might become aggressive. ShiPoos are vocal. However, early socialization and proper training sessions can avoid their barking tendency and make them well-behaved dogs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Low to medium
Intelligence
Medium to high
Prey drive
Low to medium
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium
Barking or howling tendencies
Low to medium
Wanderlust tendencies
Low to medium
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Exercise Needs
Although the Shih-Poo is a lively breed, it requires fewer activities. A short, quick stroll in the early morning and another in the sunset is great. You can also switch this by engaging with a ball or small toy during the day. Because of the breed’s size, limiting the fun to the outside is not necessary, and it should be fine to play with a toy indoors. Your Shih-Poo will not enjoy long hikes and prefer to be carried when trekking. He will, however, excel in agility lessons, which may be a terrific way for him to develop both his mind and body.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
Medium
Intensity
Low
Exercise needs
Low to medium
Playfulness
Medium to high
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Grooming
Shih-Poo can have either a Poodle or a Shih-Tzu coat. Combing their coat is essential and should be done twice a week. Every year, you may need to groom his skin, particularly around the eyes and face, to assure that your puppy can see well. Brush your dog’s teeth twice or thrice a week or more frequently if your dog allows it. Bathing dogs often is not suggested since it might deplete them of their natural, beneficial oils, but Shih Poo owners should bathe their puppies every couple of months. This may assist in avoiding skin disorders, which are common in this breed.
Shih-Poos are susceptible to various health issues apart from dental problems. Here are the minor and major health issues:
Minor health issues
Teary Eyes
Patellar Luxation
Hip Dysplasia
Bloat
Entropion
Major health issues
Lung disorder
IVDD
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Addison’s Disease
Cushing Disease
Hypothyroidism
Health Overview
Overall health
Medium
Weight gaining tendencies
Medium to high
Size
Small
Lung disorder: Due to the short muzzle, small-sized dog breeds may suffer from lung issues, specifically breathing.
IVDD: It is a spinal degeneration that impacts all dogs with a shorter body. They possibly undergo a disc eruption at some point. IVDD is caused by the lengthy body not supplying sufficient support to the spine. If the condition worsens, it might result in pain and paralysis.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: The most prevalent hereditary bleeding problem in dogs is Von Willebrand’s disease (VWD). It’s caused by a lack of a specific protein that helps platelets (blood cells that aid with clotting) adhere together and form clots to close damaged blood arteries. Von Willebrand factor is the name of the missing protein (VWF).
Addison’s Disease: This hazardous disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is triggered by the adrenal gland’s inadequate adrenal hormone development. Addison’s disease causes most dogs to vomit, have a low appetite, and be drowsy. Since these symptoms are ambiguous and may be mistaken for other illnesses, it’s possible to overlook this disorder until it’s too late. When a dog is depressed or where potassium levels rise, they interfere with heart activity, causing extreme shock and death, and more severe symptoms appear. If your veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease, they can run a battery of tests to validate the diagnosis.
Cushing’s Disease: Cushing’s illness (sometimes called Cushing’s syndrome) is a condition in which the adrenal glands secrete excessive amounts of various hormones. Hyperadrenocorticism is the medical term for this condition. “Hyper” literally means “overactive,” “Adreno” means “adrenal gland,” and “corticism” refers to the adrenal gland’s outer component (cortex). The symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs are
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Reduced activity
Excessive panting
Thin or fragile skin
Hair loss
Recurrent skin infections
Enlargement of the abdomen – resulting in a pot-bellied appearance.
Hypothyroidism is when a dog’s metabolism is slowed due to the lack of thyroid hormone production. Symptoms are:
Lethargy
Gaining weight
Reluctance to work out
Hair Loss
Eye Diseases: Shih Tzu Poodle mix can be prone to these eye diseases:
Corneal damage
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Eyelid mass
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
Entropion
Kidney Disorder: Bladder stones or kidney stones are the most familiar problems with the German Shepherd Bloodhound mixes are caused by hormonal changes, dehydration, kidney infections, and diet changes. Signs include fever, abdominal pain, blood, and pus in the urine.
Patellar Luxation: When the dog patella (kneecap), which typically lies in the cleft of the femur (thighbone), slips out of position, it is known as luxating patella. Your dog may feel periodic hind limb “skipping,” lameness, or locking up the leg at an abnormal angle if the patella luxates.
Bloat: Also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, is a condition in which a dog’s stomach twists when it fills with gas, food, or liquids. GDV appears out of nowhere and can progress swiftly. There is always a situation that requires immediate attention.
Canine Diabetes Mellitus: ShiPoos with canine diabetes mellitus cannot regulate their sugar levels as their bodies will not produce sufficient insulin. This condition can cause excessive thirst, hunger, and urination, along with weight loss. Diabetes is curable using medication and insulin injection.
Heatstroke:Since the ShiPoos have a dense double coat, they can’t tolerate heat as much as cold weather. Protect them from overexposure to the sun and keep them well hydrated.
Dental Issues: Dental issues like bleeding gums, gum inflammation, tartar buildup, bad breath, cavities are common in ShiPoos. Regularly brushing their teeth can prevent oral infections, gum diseases, and other dental problems.
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Diet and Nutrition
Since the Shih-Poo is a small dog with a medium amount of energy, it requires a diet that reflects these characteristics. He will profit from being given high-quality dry food, and you will need to feed him around one cup of food every day. This is ideally offered in two modest portions, and free-feeding is discouraged since this breed, like many others, tends to overeat, leading to weight problems such as obesity, heart diseases, and joint discomfort.
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Living Conditions
A Shih-Poo will need a family of endurance and love. This breed can adapt well to apartments and kids. They are friendly, active, and lovable, making them excellent family and companion dogs. Training them at an early age is necessary. However, punitive measures and harsh behaviors are not recommended. A brisk walk and playful activities will keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
Adding a Shih Tzu Poodle Mix To Your Family
Things to remember before adding a Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Puppy to your family
While getting a Shih Tzu Poodle Mix puppy, remember to get him from a reputable breeder who would provide you with medical certificates like gene testing certificates, vaccination certificates, and deworming history. The breeder should also take you to the parent breeds to assure the puppy’s health and lineage.
Cost of a Shih Tzu Poodle mix puppy
A healthy Shih-Poo puppy should cost between $300 and $1,000, but if the puppy belongs to a lineage of show dogs or has a high pedigree, you may pay $2,000 or more.
