Friendly , doting , and bright , shih - poos inherit their parent ’ best personality traits . These small dogs thrive in homes where they ’re the center of tending .
Shih - poos are small and fluffy hybrid dogs with extra - favorable personality . One parent breed , theshih tzu , is a loyal and attentive lap frump . The other , atoy poodle , ishighly intelligentand loves to be the heart of attention . The result is a shih - poo ( or " shih poo " ) , a various and spunky pup compact with brilliant personality traits . Whether afamily dogor a companion for seniors , they stand out at their part .
" Shih - poos are rattling , active , and animated andiron with a sensation of body fluid , " says Liz Randall , CPDT - KA , owner and CEO ofDogs Abound . " They are intelligent and playful and are great companion for an active abode that will let in their dog at the center of much of their activities . "
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Shih - poos are adaptable to small life spaces ( they ’re A - OK withapartment exist ) and , becausethey pour forth so short , they incline to be allergy - friendly frump and aregenerally considered hypoallergenic . Shih - poo dogs do require a good deal of grooming , so make certain you have the prison term ( and budget ) for their beauty routines .
We spoke with a vet for everything you need to have sex about the shih - poo ’s disposition , living pauperization , care , and wellness concerns .
Appearance
Because shih - poos are a crossbreed , there ’s no breed monetary standard to write out what shih - poosshouldlook like . But , in a word , they ’re lovely . Full - grown shih - poos can be teeny - tiny ( as little as 7 pounds ) , or count up to 20 pounds . They can come with curly coat like their poodle parent or a more straightforward coat inherit from their shih tzu side of the family .
Shih - poo puppy , even from the same litter , may look completely unlike . With intercrossed dogs such as these teddy bear shih - poos , it all comes down to which parent ’s trait prevail . For representative , some shih - poos may come along more poodle dog - the likes of with a short and curly coat , while others might sport the silky , neat , and opulent pelt that ’s synonymous with shih tzus . Still , other shih - poos may don a coat that ’s quasi - curly and semi - silky .
The color of their coating can be a chip of a idle card , too . Some common color are white , smutty , chocolate-brown , brindle , grey , carmine , or apricot — and that ’s not even including all the possible color combination .
Temperament
Niccole Bruno , DVM , gaffer of faculty withCompanion Animal Hospitalin Spring , Texas , has a shih - poo named Jimmy , a rescue who comes to work with her every day . ( Shih - poos absolutely love to be your tincture ! ) While dogs can have their own personalities , in general speaking , shih - poos run to be well-disposed , well - tempered dogs .
" Jimmy would probably recognise a robber , " Bruno says . His motto is : " If you give me some tending , I ’m going to make out you . "
Shih - poos , in general , are various dogs and be given to be ideal for kinsperson , seniors , yoke , or retirees , pronounce Jen Jones , a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist who runsYour Dog Advisor .
" They are bred comrade dogs that are mild - mannered , friendly , and sweet - natured , " Jones says . She says these dogs will be happiest in home with owners who are home often and spend a good deal of time with them .
Shih - poos are moderate- to high - push pets , and they are above norm in the intelligence department . Though they ’re affectionate , they ’re not incisively sofa potatoes , Randall says . In short : These pup love to take on .
" They will keep you laughing and require to be involve in all the day-to-day goings on , " Randall articulate .
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Living Needs
Shih - poos tend to be diplomatic dogs . While every dog has an individual personality , these puppy generally get along well with other home pets , including catsand other dogs . And while these kinfolk - friendly pets be given to be large with kid , you ’ll want to teach your nipper to be gentle around these pint - sized puppers . Shih - poos are also excellent companion for seniors .
These dogs are among those that can live happily in an apartment or a smaller home , as long as they get enough natural process and interaction from their kinsfolk . Though their little leg might not be tributary forhiking up a mountain , they ’re still spunky and playful . After they tire out , shih - poos will enjoy cuddling up on your circle for the ease of the eventide .
This hybrid strain roll in the hay to be a constant companion andshouldn’t be go away alonefor long period of time . He ’ll do advantageously with an owner who ’s a stay-at-home or who will take him along on errands and adventures .
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Care
Shih - poos are more lovely than athletic . While they are n’t exactly running partners , they do relish daily walkies and playfully cavort around in the grounds or park .
Randall enjoin shih - poo proprietor should project onregular training sessionsanddaily exercisewith their dogs . Like all breeds , shih - poos respond good topositive reinforcement trainingand receivingtreats as rewards .
" They love human fundamental interaction and preparation , so keeping their brains busy and engaged is authoritative , " Randall says .
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As with any poodle orpoodle mix , Randall says , regular training is a requirement .
" Plan on being on a even , consistent 6–8 week agenda with your groomer to keep off uncomfortable matting of their voiced coat , " Randall enjoin . unconstipated brushing , rather on a day-after-day base , is a must in - between train appointment .
As a part of their training , Bruno recommends shih - poos get veritable " healthful trims " underneath their tails , on their bellies , and in their axillary fossa . Shih - poo haircuts can also be as diverse as your pup , with some owners preferring to keep their coats foresighted and others opting for a brusque trim .
In addition to regular brushing his coat , Bruno recommendsbrushing your shih - poo ’s teethregularly . Start at an early age to get your puppy accustomed to his dental care procedure , and brush his teeth at least a duet of time a week ( bonus points if you could do it daily ) .
Health
A shih - poolifespan is lengthy — these small dog can be 15 year or more .
In ecumenical , shih - poos are an easy frankfurter to care for when youtake them to the veterinarianregularly , brush their tooth , and stick on top of their groom appointments , Bruno enounce . They are n’t particularly open to major illness or health conditions , but , like all modest dog , shih - poos can be prone to dental disease . So , regular teeth brush can assist keep your dog ’s unwritten hygiene in right standing , guard off heat gums and tartar , Bruno explains . Dental chews can help , too .
Shih - poos may also be prone to some orthopedic diseases that affect their pearl , joints , or muscle . Some examples could behip dysplasia , which happens when the hip articulation does n’t get like it should . When this happens , dogs may limp after physical exertion or have difficulty leap out or climbing . Patellar luxation , or dislocated kneecap , can be another trouble .
If your shih - poo inherit salient middle from a shih tzu parent , he could have some trouble withcataracts , reform-minded retinal atrophy , and corneal dispassionateness — issue that should be addressed with your ex-serviceman .
History
While shih tzus and toy poodle dog are bothpopular dog breedswith ancient and purple chronicle , shih - poos are a comparatively fresh breed . They ’ve only been around for a few decade but are beginning to make a name for themselves .
This loan-blend breed probably emerged within the last 30 years when shih tzus were breed with toy dog poodle dog . While shih - poos are a relatively new breed , their cosmopolitan parent have well - established histories .
The shih tzu multiply date stamp back at least 1,000 years , when they were kept in monastery throughout Tibet . Some legends say these associate dogs were aim to turn the petition rack , harmonize to theShih Tzu Club , and grotesque illustrations depicted these wienerwurst as little Lion . Folklore saysBuddha travel with a little heel conceive to be a shih tzu . The American Kennel Club recognize the shih tzu in 1969 .
The " poo " in shih - poo comes from the poodle dog , the national hot dog of France . Despite the affinity for poodle in France , these wienerwurst were developed and bred as duck’s egg Hunter in Germany . In French , the poodle is have intercourse as theCaniche , which translates to " duck’s egg click . " Here in the U.S. , the AKC have recognition to the poodle in 1887 .
