Shih Poo
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Shih Poo
Canis lupus
Shih Poo Facts
- Diet
- Omnivore
Shih Poo Physical Characteristics
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Shih Poo as a Pet:
- General Health
- Energy Level
- Shedability
- Trainability
- Intelligence
- Tendency to Chew
- Size
- Family and kid friendliness
- Yappiness / Barking
- Moderate
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
- Separation Anxiety
- High
- Preferred Temperature
- Cold climate
- Exercise Needs
- Low
- Friendly With Other Dogs
- Moderate
- Pure bred cost to own
- $500-1200
- Dog group
- Toy
- Male weight
- 5-20 lbs
- Female weight
- 5-20 lbs
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A Shih Poo 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
Pros! | Cons! |
Highly intelligent: They are smart little dogs, who pick up routines easily. | High Strung: They can be a bit high maintenance. They may get anxious easily and dislike changes in routine. |
Small: Because of their diminutive size, they can easily go with you in the car and anywhere dogs are allowed. They don’t eat (or poop!) as much as larger breeds, which makes them more cost-effective. | Separation Anxiety: Your dog wants to be with you. They won’t do well when left alone for extended periods of more than a few hours. |
Don’t need much exercise: They won’t need a big yard and can easily stay in a small apartment. Their exercise needs are low, so they won’t need to be taken on long walks every day. | Stubborn: Even though they are smart dogs, or perhaps because of it, these dogs can be stubborn, so they aren’t as easy to train as other breeds. They can be trained, but it may take extra effort and patience on your part. |
Shih Poo 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.
Height (Male): | 12 inches |
Height (Female): | 12 inches |
Weight (Male): | 15 pounds |
Weight (Female): | 15 pounds |
Shih Poo 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 may experience the following conditions:
- Overeating
- Dental issues
- Breathing problems
- Hip problems
- Eye problems
- Knee problems
Shih Poo 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.
Health and Entertainment for your Shih Poo
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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 ownership.
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 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 amazon.
- This dry dog food helps improve the dental health of your grown canine
- Helps reduce plaque & tartar build-up with clinically proven kibble technology
- Interlocking fiber technology cleans canine teeth and supports fresh breath with every bite
- A dog food with Omega-6 fatty acids & Vitamin E for healthy skin and coat
- Made with natural ingredients
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.
Shih Poo 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.
Shih Poo and 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 will 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
Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Shih Poo FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What’s the difference between Shih Poos and Maltipoos?
Maltipoos differ from Shih Poos in their breeding, as Maltipoos are a cross between Maltese dogs and poodles, while Shih Poos are a cross between poodles and Shih Tzus.
What’s the difference between a Shih Poo and a Cavapoo?
The main differences between a Cavapoo and a Shih Poo are their breeding and sizes. The Cavapoo is also considered a calmer and more friendly dog compared to the Shih Poo.
What are the differences between Shih Poos and Shih Tzus?
The main difference between Shih Poos and Shih Tzus is their energy level. Other notable differences include size, fur texture, color, temperament, and trainability.
Sources
- dogtime.com, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/shih-poo#/slide/1
- vetstreet.com, Available here: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/shihpoo
- usserviceanimals.com, Available here: https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/shih-poo-breed-overview/
- petguide.com, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/shih-poo/
- thehappypuppysite.com, Available here: https://thehappypuppysite.com/shih-poo/
- perfectdogbreeds.com, Available here: https://www.perfectdogbreeds.com/shih-poo/