Breeds / Small
Shih-Poo puppies
The Shih-Poo is smart, friendly and confident, adaptable to flats or houses, and gets on with children and other pets when socialised early. Around 30 minutes of activity a day is enough for most.
The facts
- Size class Small
- A cross of Shih Tzu and Poodle
- Country of origin Not published
- Adult weight 3.6 to 8.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 8 to 18 lb
- Adult height 20 to 28 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming High
- Coat type Long straight to curly
- Typical lifespan 12 to 16 years
- Good with children Usually good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Shih-Poo
The Shih-Poo is a Shih Tzu crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle, bred as a small companion. Adults are 3.6 to 8.2 kg and 20 to 28 cm, and the coat can be straight, curly or somewhere between, in almost any colour combination the two parents carry. They are confident, friendly little dogs that adapt well to flats and settle into most households, getting along with children and other pets when they are socialised early.
About half an hour of activity a day is enough, split between walks and play. Grooming means daily brushing and a trim every one to two months, with the face kept clear so hair is not rubbing the eyes. Faces vary in this cross: a puppy that inherits the short Shih Tzu muzzle inherits its breathing and eye risks with it, so watch how the parents breathe after exercise before committing to a litter.
A cross, not a breed. The Shih-Poo is a cross rather than a standardised breed, so size, coat and muzzle length vary and can favour either parent, and a first cross of two purebred parents is less predictable in coat than a later generation bred back to a Poodle. A puppy that inherits the Shih Tzu face can inherit its breathing and eye problems too, so judge the individual puppy rather than the label.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Shih-Poo puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Brachycephalic airway problems where the short Shih Tzu muzzle is inherited, assessed on conformation and exercise tolerance
- Patellar luxation, identified from lameness or a bunny hopping gait and graded on orthopaedic examination
- Progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and dry eye, detected by DNA test, eye examination and tear production testing
- Periodontal disease in the crowded jaw, found at annual dental examination
- Legg Calve Perthes disease, diagnosed by hip radiographs in a young lame dog
- Von Willebrand disease, detectable by DNA test and a clotting factor assay
Your Shih-Poo puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Shih-Poo.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 3.6 to 8.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 8.2 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Shih-Poo
Previous: Shih Tzu · Next: Shikoku Ken
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- petmd.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings and coat type
- petmd.com for health notes
- Health notes from Shih-Poo breed information at https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/shih-tzu. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for country of origin, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Andrewkauf at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.