Quick Take
- Reaching full physical maturity requires only 10 months of growth for this specific toy breed.
- Surprisingly, these toy breeds require a higher calorie density than significantly larger dog breeds.
- Completing early socialization is the only way to counteract the breed’s inherent possessive nature.
The Shichi has the personality of a Chihuahua and the fluffy Shih Tzu coat. These parent breeds created the most adorable little furball on the planet.
However, their small size is misleading; these pups have big personalities. And while they are mostly fun, they can be demanding of your time, to the point of possessiveness. In addition, they can be aggressive and may attack if provoked.
Shichi have a shrill bark, and they use it often. So, while you will always know if a stranger is at the door, their constant yapping could become too much for you. However, training can resolve some of these bad habits.
So, dog lovers looking for a relaxed breed should not consider the Shichi, but if you want a loyal, alert, and crazy companion, this is the perfect breed.
Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Shichi
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Relatively long lifespan | Can be aggressive |
| Minimal Grooming | Not good with children |
| Good Watch Dog | Possessive nature |
The Best Dog Food for a Shichi
Shichis are tiny dogs, so they fall into the toy breed category. Because of their size, they need food formulated for small dogs and maybe even kibble for toy breeds. In addition, small dogs need a higher calorie content than larger breeds because they have faster metabolisms.
Size and Weight
These tiny dogs are fully grown by 10 months old. However, they barely reach 10 inches tall and weigh around 9 to 16 pounds.
Common Health Issues
The Shichi has a relatively long lifespan but is prone to their parents’ diseases. For example, both the Shih Tzu and Chihuahua suffer from eye conditions. Therefore, Shichis suffer from eye conditions. Other health issues include:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Patellar luxation
- Distichiasis (two rows of eyelashes)
- Dental issues
- Hip dysplasia
On average, the shichis’ lifespan ranges from 12 to 14 years.
Temperament
This breed inherits its personality from its parents. Like the Shih Tzu, they are playful and affectionate. But they get their attitude from the Chihuahua. Shichis are very social dogs and love being around people. However, they won’t do well in big family settings as they attach themselves to one person and tend to snap at children if they provoke them.
How to Take Care of a Shichi
With such a tiny body, you would think caring for the Shichi would be easy. However, although they may be small, there is still a lot of maintenance that goes into caring for this feisty breed.
Grooming
It’s hard to tell which parent the Shichi will take after regarding their coat. The Shih Tzu is hypoallergenic, which could be passed onto the Shichi pup. But if Shichis take after the Chihuahua, they will have short hair and barely shed, making them easy to groom.
No matter the length of their coat, they need a good brush once a week. However, unlike other breeds, the Shichi only needs a bath when necessary because they shouldn’t be stripped of the natural oils protecting their skin.
Their nails should be trimmed as soon as they start touching the floor, usually once every two to three months. In addition, they need their teeth brushed with dog toothpaste 3 times a week to avoid any dental problems.
Training
Their eagerness to follow commands will depend on which parent they take after. The Shih Tzu is generally calm, intelligent, and eager to learn, making them a breeze to train. However, the Chihuahua is stubborn, independent, and less likely to follow commands.
However, finding the proper training method will help, along with a lot of persistence. In addition, no matter which parent they take after, socialization from a young age is vital.
Exercise
While Shichis are enthusiastic, they are actually a low-energy breed. This means that they do not require a lot of exercise and make great apartment dogs. These dogs typically need about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day, which can be split into shorter walks or play sessions.
Puppies
Because Shichis are classified as toy dogs, their puppies are tiny. That’s why they are not the best breed for small children, who may squish them accidentally and cause serious injuries.
These pups will set you back $300 to $1000: the price depends on the breeder’s reputation and location.
Shichi and Children
The Shichi is excellent with older children; however, they are not the best dogs around younger kids. They are not very patient animals and won’t stand by and take all the poking and tail pulling. Even though they are so small, they still have sharp teeth and could injure a small child if provoked.
Shichi’s ability to get along with other pets depends on which parent they take after. The Shih Tzu is a social breed that, if socialized early, gets along well with other dogs. However, the Chihuahua is more independent and jealous, which could lead to aggressive behavior around other dogs.
Dogs similar to the Shichi
There are a few other breeds that share the Shichis’ behavioral traits; they include:
Shichi Pictures
View all of our Shichi pictures in the gallery.
Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- Wag Walking / Accessed September 29, 2022
- Hepper / Accessed September 29, 2022
- Pet Guide / Accessed September 29, 2022
