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Shih-Poo Breed Summary
Enthusiastic, Intelligent, Playful, Adoring and Adaptable
These cute little doggies are a relatively new hybrid breed and are a cross between a Shih Tzu and either a Miniature or Toy Poodle! In terms of their coat, it can be curly, like the Poodles, straight like that of a Shih Tzu or a mixture of the two.
They have since become very popular across the world due to their sweet looks and affectionate personalities. Additionally, they are extremely adaptable and their small size means they will enjoy living in an apartment just as much as they would love living in a mansion, so long as they get all the attention they need off of their 'hoomans'.
Fun Fact: Their ancestors are thousands of years old!
| Lifespan | 12 - 15 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 35cm - 38cm at the withers |
| Weight | Males and Females 3kg - 9kg |
| Coat | Either a Short, Curly Coat, in Likeness to the Poodle or a Longer, Straighter Coat like the Shih Tzu. Some are a Mixture of the Two |
| Colour | Apricot, Black, Black and tan, Brown, Cream, Red, Sable, White, Parti-colour |
| Eye colour | Dark |
| Common health issues | Hip Dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Breathing issues, Hernias, Dental problems, Bladder stones, Renal dysplasia, Allergies, Autoimmune diseases, Diabetes, Inflammatory bowel disease, Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Immune mediated thrombocytopaenia, Hyperthyroidism, Eye injuries, Addison's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Thyroid disease, Chronic active hepatitis, Seizures, Hip dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand's disease, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Patellar luxation, Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Achondroplasia, Dental issues, Diabetes Mellitus, Distichiasis, Hyperadrenocorticism, In-growing eye lashes, Epilepsy, Legge Perthes disease, Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Von Willebrands Disease (vWD), Ear problems, Skin tumours, Cataracts, Cushing's disease, Bladder stones |
| Other Names | Shih Tzu x Poodle, Shih-Poo, Shipoo, Shi-Poo, Shi Poo, Shihpooh, Shipooh, Shitzpoo |
These doggies are bursting with enthusiasm and also pretty clever, making the very easy to train and to teach tricks to! They are also full of character and love to be around their 'hooman' parents. Shih-Poos are particularly good for first-time dog owners because of their adaptability to different lifestyles. Whether you're living in an apartment as a full-time worker, or in a country manor, they'll be happy as long as they've got you. Because they are so new, it's important they are socialised from a young age, to avoid any un-wanted traits developing. It's also vital not to 'over-spoil' these pooches, as it can lead to them developing 'small dog syndrome' which means they will get increasingly stubborn and disobedient towards you because they think they can get away with it!
The exact creation of this 'designer breed' is unknown, although it was probably in the last 10-20 years, making it one of the newest known types of dog! Shih-Poos was created for 'hoomans' suffering with allergies, as their coats are hypoallergenic, meaning they don't shed their coats like some dogs. The aim is to standardise the breed, until they have their own traits and characteristics, as this will then allow them to gain recognition within the international breeding clubs. These doggies however, are becoming very popular around the world, so we're sure it won't be long before they're given their well-deserved title!