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Shih-Poo breed photo

Shih-Poo

The Shih-Poo combines the royal heritage of the Shih Tzu with the intelligence of the Poodle. This small, cuddly hybrid makes an excellent companion for apartment dwellers and families alike. Known for their affectionate nature and adaptable temperament, Shih-Poos thrive on human companionship and make wonderful lap dogs.

2.4-lite
Companion / Designer Hybrid
Size
Small
5-10 kg
Grooming
High Maintenance
Daily grooming
Family
Great with Kids
Patient & gentle nature
Family-friendly
Chew strength
Light
Based on breed

The Shih-Poo by topic

Temperament and exercise

50 minutes a day: about 30 minutes of physical exercise and 20 minutes of brain work.

Shih-Poo temperament and exercise

Health

Hip Dysplasia (21.7% in parent breed Shih Tzu (OFA) and 12.2% across Poodles (OFA)), Patellar Luxation (6.0% in parent breed Poodle and 2.1% in parent breed Shih Tzu (OFA)), Distichiasis (12.2% in parent breed Shih Tzu (OFA))

Shih-Poo health problems and tests

Food

Shih-Poos put on weight easily. Weigh food instead of scooping, and count training treats.

How much to feed a Shih-Poo

Grooming

Curly coat · Shedding: Low

Shih-Poo grooming and shedding

Costs

From a breeder $1,000 - $3,000, then $1,405 to $2,305 a year.

How much does a Shih-Poo cost?

Living Situation

Apartment Living
Ideal; excels in elevators, noise-controlled apartments, and small footprint spaces
Work From Home
Ideal match; provides needed human presence and lap companionship
Alone Time
Low; high vulnerability to separation distress if left alone for standard work shifts
First-Time Owner
Good choice for beginners

With Other Pets

Dogs
Generally friendly
Cats
Safe and unbothered; often co-sleep with household cats due to negligible predatory motor patterns
Small Mammals
Low prey drive; generally peaceful around rabbits and guinea pigs, though direct physical contact should always be monitored

Climate & Seasonal Care

Heat Tolerance/5
Cold Tolerance/5
Winter Needs
Needs coat/boots • Paw protection recommended
Summer Care
Limit exercise in heat
Seasonal Shedding
Low

Requires fleece-lined sweaters and booties/paw wax below 5°C. In summer, walk exclusively at dawn/dusk to avoid rapid heat exhaustion above 26°C-28°C.

Breed Origins

Origin
United States
Original Purpose
Human companionship and lap dog

Living With a Shih-Poo

Coat Feel
Soft fleece, loose spiral, silky wave, or dense curl
Surrender Risk:
  • Inability to achieve complete housebreaking indoors
  • Unmanageable coat matting and high grooming maintenance expenses
  • Destructive or vocal separation anxiety when owners return to office work
  • Defensive snapping toward small children who violate spatial limits

Life Stages

Puppy0-10 months

Deciduous tooth retention is frequent, requiring surgical extraction during spay/neuter. Critical handling desensitization is needed by week 8.

Adolescent10 to 18 months months

Peak energy age:

Adult1.5 to 10 years years

Prime years - energy stabilizes but remains active

Senior10+ years

Provide heated orthopedic memory foam beds, raised water stations, and palliative pain management for arthritic joints.

Travel & Adventure

Car Travel
Excellent when secured in an elevated booster seat or crash-tested carrier; prone to mild motion sickness in early puppyhood
Camping
Not ideal
Beach Friendly
Not ideal
Cabin Eligible
Yes
Hotel Friendly
Yes

Small dimensions allow in-cabin transport, but airline brachycephalic embargoes may restrict dogs inheriting severe facial flattening.

Safety & Containment

Dog Park
Use caution
Off-Leash
Not recommended
Escape Risk
Low
Resource Guarding
Prone to resource guarding of furniture if boundaries are lacking
Small Animal Safe
Yes

Must use step-in chest harnesses instead of collars to prevent tracheal collapse. Yard fence must be escape-proof against small 5-cm gaps. Avoid large dog parks due to trauma risk.

Breeding Information

Avg Litter Size
(range: )
C-Section Rate
Whelping Difficulty
Puppy Mortality

Special Abilities

Sensory Friendly Coat

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Care Tips for Shih-Poos

Tip #1

Commit to daily line brushing down to the skin with a pin brush and metal greyhound comb to prevent pelted mats

Tip #2

Brush teeth daily with enzymatic canine paste and schedule professional dental cleanings every 12-24 months

Tip #3

Clean eyes daily with saline wipes to reduce tear crust and facial intertrigo

Tip #4

Inspect and dry ear canals weekly to prevent bacterial and yeast otitis externa

Tip #5

Use a step-in chest harness instead of a neck collar to protect against tracheal collapse

Tip #6

Install pet ramps to prevent joint injuries and patellar luxation from jumping off furniture

Breed Characteristics

Trainability
Patient Training
Energy
Balanced
Grooming
High Maintenance
Size
Small
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Apartment
Suitable
Kids
Great
Weight
5-10 kg

Shih-Poo comparisons

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Not the Right Fit?

maltipoo
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shih-tzu
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poodle
Need smaller?poodle
bichon-frise
Less shedding?bichon frise

Frequently Asked Questions

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