Shichi

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!

But, 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’s 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!

Four Different Types of Chihuahua and Shih Tzu Mixes

There is only one type of Shichi because it is such a new breed, but its parents, the Chihuahua and Shih Tzu, have many gorgeous mixes, including the:

CHIWEENIE (CHIHUAHUA AND DACHSHUND)

The Chiweenie is often referred to as the Mexican Hotdog because it’s a cross between the Chihuahua and the Dachshund. This breed is ideal for singles or seniors as they tend to bond very closely with one person and need a lot of attention. Unfortunately, as a result, they don’t get along well with children.

Chiweenies like to play outside, so they need a sure yard. In addition, they can be mischievous and like to dig. However, they are the perfect breed for first-time dog owners because they are easy to train.

JACK CHI (CHIHUAHUA AND JACK RUSSELL)

The Jack Chi results from crossing a Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua. These tiny pups also go by the name Jackahuahua and only grow 10 to 15 inches tall.

It seems that Jack Chis take after their Jack Russell side when it comes to intelligence and athleticism, while they inherited their attitude and loving nature from their Chihuahua genes. In addition, they are loyal and protective, so they would be the perfect dog for families with older children.

Auss Tzu (Shih Tzu and Australian Shepherd)

The Auss Tzu is the result of crossbreeding the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu. This breed has the most luxurious silky hair and big personalities that older children will love. In addition, they have massive amounts of energy and socialize well with other dogs and people. However, AussTzus are stubborn and maybe a challenge to train.

French Bull Tzu (Shih Tzu and French Bulldog )

Have you ever wondered what a fluffy French Bulldog would look like? Well, this breed does exist, and it’s called the French bull Tzu. These adorable pups have cheerful personalities; however, they need early socialization to ensure they get along with children and other pets.

French bull Tzus do not need a lot of exercise but do need a companion most of the time, which makes them a perfect choice for seniors.

Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Shichi 

Pros

• Relatively long lifespan
• Minimal Grooming
• Good Watch Dog

Cons

• Can be aggressive
• Not good with children
• 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.

Shichi 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.

Shichi 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 15 years.

Shichi 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 Tze 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 need no more than 30 minutes of exercise per day and should never walk more than 4 miles per week.

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 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.

Shichis 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:

• Maltese Poodle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Pekinese

Popular Names for a Shichi 

Finding the perfect name for your Shichi could be daunting. To make things a little easier, here are the most popular names for a Shichi

• Alberto
• Simba
• Max
• Theo
• Bruno
• Finn
• Arya
• Jessie
• Mia
• Chloe
• Selena

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1. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/shichi#:~:text=The%20ShiChi%20is%20a%20designer,recognized%20by%20several%20breed%20registries.
2. Hepper, Available here: https://www.hepper.com/shichi/
3. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/shichi/