Shih Poo

A Shih Poo dog is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle, and is not recognized as a breed in its own right by the American Kennel Club. Shih Poos tend to be affectionate and playful dogs. Like both their origin breeds, they usually don’t shed much and are often considered hypoallergenic, though this varies from dog to dog, and some longer hair varieties may not be hypoallergenic. Shih Poos usually make good apartment dogs because they don’t usually bark a lot. They make excellent companion pets. Also sometimes known as the Shoodle or the Pooshi, Shih Poos have been popular with owners and breeders for over a decade, but no one is quite sure of when these toy dogs were first bred.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Shih Poo Dog

Size and Weight

Shih Poos are teacup small to medium size dogs. Their hair is often long and wavy, though it can also be short and curly. They have an average height of about 13 inches, though it can be much smaller for teacup varieties. Full-grown adult Shih Poos typically can weigh up to 25 pounds, though most are closer to 10 pounds. Puppies near weaning age weigh about a pound.

Common Health Issues

Shih Poos are a fairly healthy breed, but there are some problems that can arise in this crossbreed. They have a strong tendency to overeat, so it is important to monitor how much food you give them. These little dogs are also prone to dental issues and bad breath, so size-appropriate kibble, proper dental cleanings, and dental treats are keys to keeping them healthy. If your pet has not inherited the longer nose of the Poodle, then its short snout may cause breathing issues. The shorter their nose, the more likely it may have breathing problems. Less common, more serious conditions to look out for are hip dysplasia, conditions of the eyes, and luxating patella, where the kneecap frequently goes out of place.

To recap, a Shih Poo dog may experience the following conditions:

• Overeating
• Dental issues
• Breathing problems
• Hip problems
• Eye problems
• Knee problems

Temperament

The behavior and personality traits of Shih Poos make them great companions for people with less active lifestyles. Their size and personality make them best suited to couples with older children or older couples with no children. They enjoy cuddling and being playful with or without toys. These pets are a bit stubborn so they aren’t necessarily recommended for people with no experience training a dog; if you want a dog that will be on its best behavior. One of their best traits is their intelligence, so if you have training experience, they can be taught.

How To Take Care of Shih Poo

These dogs need regular dental cleaning, regular hair and nail grooming and, if they are on the smaller side, steps or ramps to help them reach higher places, if you mean to allow them on beds or other furniture. Monitoring their food so they don’t overeat is an important part of Shih Poo dog ownership.

History

The shih poo is a fairly new dog breed that is considered to be “designer” developed in North America. While the poodle comes from Germany and the Shih Tzu comes from Chinese Royalty the Shih Tzu personality and characters tend to be the dominate characteristics.

Shih poos are the result of a mixing of breeds between the loyal and smaller Shih Tzu and the intelligent poodle. They are great for anyone who needs a hypoallergenic dog breed. If you want to add a Shih Tzu to your family, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a breeder. The shih poo may be the best choice for you and your family.

The Best Dog Food for Shih Poos

These dogs should be fed according to their size and age, using small dog kibble for adults and puppy kibble for puppies. They are prone to eating as much as you will let them, so their intake, including treats, needs to be monitored, particularly when they are no longer puppies. Buy your Shih Poo high-quality dog food with proper nutrition to satiate their appetite to curb overeating.

Our A-Z Animals pick for the best dog food for Shih Poos is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult Oral Care for Dental Health Dog Food.

This specialized, crunchy kibble is vet and nutritionist-approved to help manage plaque and tartar for dogs like Shih Poos that tend to have dental problems. The top natural ingredient is a quality meat protein source such as chicken. And since this formula is balanced and nutrient-dense, your Shih Poo dog is more likely to stop eating when it feels full, to help address overeating.

Get Hill’s Science Diet Dental Health Dry Dog Food for your Shih Poo on Chewy and Amazon.

Best for Oral Care

Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Dog Food

• Reduces plaque and tartar
• The kibble's texture mimics the results of a toothbrush
• Interlocking fibers clean teeth
• Freshens breath

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Maintenance and Grooming

If your dog is the longer-haired variety, it will need nearly-daily brushing, as the hair is prone to dirt, tangles, and matting. People often like to put the top of their Shih Poo’s hair in a ponytail, to help keep it out of their eyes. Their nails will need frequent trimming.

Training

Tehse dogs are smart, but they can be stubborn, so they may train easily in some areas and less easily in others. House training may go well, but other commands may take more time and discipline.

Exercise

Shih Poos don’t require a lot of exercise, making them ideal for small living spaces and smaller yards. On average, they only need about half an hour of exercise for weight maintenance.

Puppies

The main thing to remember is that if you get yours when it is a puppy, its fur and markings will change, sometimes drastically, over the course of the next 12 months.

Children

Shih Poos are not bad with children, but nor are they typically as friendly with children as other breeds, such as Golden Retrievers. A puppy will tend to adapt more easily to children than a full-grown adult.

Dogs similar to Shih Poo

Shih Tzu: One of the Shih Poo parent breeds, similar in size and coloring.
Toy Poodle: The other parent breed of the Shih Poo, similar in temperament and behavior.
Lhasa Apso: This breed is often mistaken for the Shih Tzu.

Popular Names for Shih Poo

• Chewy
• Lily
• Daisy
• Precious
• Teddy
• Muffy
• Teacup