Shih Poo

Temperament:

Playful, Loving, Intelligent
Size: Small
Height: 20-28 cm
Weight: 4-8 kg
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Coat: Medium Hair
Colors: Black, White, Brown, Gray

Are you looking for a small, sweet and loving companion for your home? The Shih Poo, a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle, will delight you with its cute appearance and affectionate nature. Get to know this cute mixed-breed dog better!

Shih Poo
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Characteristics

The Shih Poo is a charming combination of its parent breeds Shih Tzu and Poodle. It combines the playfulness and affection of the Shih Tzu with the intelligence and learning ability of the Poodle. The result is a balanced, affectionate and lively dog who quickly wins the heart of his family.

The Shih Poo is an affectionate and loyal companion who loves to be close to you at all times. It is caring and attentive, which makes it an ideal family dog. Its playful and curious nature makes it an ideal companion for children, but also for senior citizens who lead an active life.

With its soft, wavy to curly coat, the Shih Poo not only looks adorable, it is also hypoallergenic and hardly sheds, which makes it interesting for allergy sufferers. Coat colors vary from black, white, brown and grey to different shades and combinations. Each Shih Poo is unique and can carry different characteristics of its parent breeds.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Health & Care

The coat should be brushed regularly, at least two to three times a week, to prevent matting and keep the skin healthy. If necessary, the Shih Poo can be carefully bathed. A mild dog shampoo should be used to avoid skin irritation.

Dental hygiene is an important aspect of grooming. Get your Shih Poo used to brushing its teeth early on with a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Check his eyes and ears regularly for redness or signs of infection and clean them carefully with a soft cloth if necessary.

The paws and claws should also be checked and trimmed if necessary.

Suitable accessories

There are some useful accessories you should have for your Shih Poo. A comfortable dog bed or a soft blanket to keep him comfortable. Various toys for chewing, playing and keeping busy are also important to keep the active and curious Shih Poo happy.

For grooming, you will need a soft brush to detangle the coat, as well as a dog toothbrush and toothpaste for dental care.

For walks, we recommend a lead, a harness and a collar with an address tag so that your Shih Poo can find you again quickly if he gets lost.

Your Shih Poo also needs a basic water and food bowl, preferably several water bowls, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, a transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.

Shih Poo History

Origin & History

The Shih Poo is a so-called designer dog that is the result of a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle. Both parent breeds look back on a long and fascinating history. The Shih Tzu originally comes from Tibet and China, where it was prized as a valuable companion dog. The Poodle has its roots in Germany and France and was originally bred as a water dog.

Breeding of the Shih Poo began in North America in the 1990s with the aim of creating a small, friendly and hypoallergenic dog that would make a good family and companion dog. Since then, the Shih Poo has enjoyed great popularity worldwide due to its lovable character and cute appearance.

As the Shih Poo is a mixed breed, its appearance and character vary depending on the inherited characteristics of the parent breeds. Nevertheless, the Shih Poo has found a fan base as an independent breed and is appreciated by both dog breeders and dog owners.