Sco-Shi

15-20 lbs
8-10"
Unknown
Scottish Terrier
Shih Tzu
The Sco-Shi is a hybrid dog. His parent breeds are the Scottish Terrier and the Shih Tzu. He will be a small dog; even at maturity, he will weigh no more than twenty pounds. He is highly intelligent and relatively easy to train. He may require a good bit of maintenance, as both parent breeds are likely to leave him with long hair. He may seem somewhat standoffish, but he is extremely loyal to his owner. He can also be rather independent at times. He does not require a great deal of activity to remain healthy. He is happy in an apartment or a home with a fenced-in yard, and he gets along with family members of any age.
purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Scottish Terrier, Shih Tzu

Sco-Shi Health

Average Size
Male Sco-Shi size stats
Height: 10-10 inches Weight: 20-25 lbs
Female Sco-Shi size stats
Height: 8-10 inches Weight: 15-20 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
  • Allergies
  • Reverse Sneezing
  • Eye Conditions
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Bladder Stones
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints
  • Eye and Ear Examination
  • Allergy Testing
  • Abdominal Ultrasound

Sco-Shi Breed History

The Sco-Shi is a hybrid breed dog. While he is not necessarily a rare breed, there is not a great deal of information about how the Sco-Shi came to be. However, we can study the history of the parent breeds in order to understand the origins of the mixed breed. The Scottish Terrier was a born hunter. Developed to help guard homes and hunt vermin in Scotland, the Scottie can trace his origins back to the Scotch Terrier. The Scotch Terrier, now extinct, is slightly bigger than the modern Scottie. He is also thought to be the father breed of the Scottie, the Skye Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, and the Cairn Terrier. The Scotch Terrier was known for his stamina and tenacity while working. He also worked in rock quarries, never failing to complete a task asked of him by his master. The Scotch Terrier is said to have been one of many dogs presented to the French monarchy by James I of England. As time went on, the dog was interbred to become the Scottie we know today. The Shih Tzu was also valued by royalty, only he was revered in the Orient. Used by Tibetan monks as guard dogs, at one time, the only way a person could obtain a Shih Tzu was by being gifted the dog by the Dalai Lama. In fact, this is how the Chinese Emperor and Empress were given their Shih Tzus. Some Chinese referred to them as "lion dogs," which is a commentary on the courage of the Shih Tzu. It is said that the Shih Tzus of the royal family had their own palace and were trained to sit up and wave at visitors. After the death of the Empress in 1908, many royal family members attempted to begin breeding the dogs. Somehow, in 1928, a Lady Brownrigg obtained a male and female pair of Shih Tzus. Philip Price, Lady Brownrigg's nephew, was one of the first to import the Shih Tzu to the United States. In 1969, the Shih Tzu was recognized by the American Kennel Club. The breed remains highly popular today.

Sco-Shi Breed Appearance

The Sco-Shi will be a rather small dog, weighing no more than twenty-five pounds at maturity. It is likely he will actually be smaller than this projected weight, but this will depend upon the dominant parent breed. He will have floppy ears (which will need extra care to maintain their health), and he generally has medium-to-long length hair. This hair is usually straight, but it may appear to be wiry. Again, this is dependent upon the dominant parent breed. He is usually black, but he may also be gray, brown, black with brown or grey speckles, or he may be a brindle color. His hair will be long on the face. He may appear to have a "beard," and he may have long hair around his eyes. His tail will be straight and may have long hair on it as well. His body will be short and compact. His legs may be short, but sturdy. He may have a long muzzle with a black nose.
Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Sco-Shi eyes
Hazel
Nose Color Possibilities
black Sco-Shi nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Sco-Shi coat
Black
gray Sco-Shi coat
Gray
brown Sco-Shi coat
Brown
brindle Sco-Shi coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Sco-Shi straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Sco-Shi Breed Maintenance

Because the Sco-Shi will likely have long hair, one can expect a good bit of maintenance. Brush him two or three times a week to remove excess hair and prevent matting. During the spring and fall, you may want to brush him daily to prevent excess hair from landing on your clothing and furniture. Brush his teeth two or three times a week to prevent buildup of tartar and bad breath. If you wish to prevent tooth decay, brush his teeth daily. Trim his nails twice a month unless he wears them down on his own. A good rule of thumb is if you can hear his nails clicking on the tile floor, it is time to trim his nails. His ears may need special attention. As you brush him, check his ears. Wipe them out with a damp cotton ball to remove excess dirt. Check for redness or a foul odor as this is indicative of a possible ear infection. You may also need to trim the hair around his eyes so that he doesn't have an obstruction to his vision.
Brushes for Sco-Shi
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Sco-Shi requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Sco-Shi Temperament

The Sco-Shi is a generally happy dog. However, he is often also described as standoffish as well. He is not an overly friendly or yappy dog, but he is a good watchdog. He will most definitely alert you if anything is amiss in his territory. He does not mind solitude, so, if you or your family are away a good bit, you won't have to worry about the Sco-Shi suffering from separation anxiety. He is often a one-person or one-family dog. He may, however, follow his "person" from room to room in an effort to see what that individual is up to. He is a great cuddler, and is often happy just sitting on the couch beside his "person." He is good with older children, especially those who know how to handle a small dog.

Sco-Shi Activity Requirements

The Sco-Shi is not a highly active dog, but he will need proper daily exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight. He will enjoy short, brisk walks in the neighborhood with you. He will also enjoy time at the dog park. Remember, however, that the Scottie parent breed is a hunter. If squirrels and other small animals enjoy the dog park as well, it might be best to take your Sco-Shi for some obedience classes to ensure that he will listen to you even while tempted to chase small prey. He will enjoy time in a fenced-in yard as well; however, he does not need to spend a great deal of time unsupervised in the area. He may inherit the brachycephalic snout of his Shih Tzu parent breed, and, if so, you will need to ensure that he never overexerts himself. Keep water handy when exercising, especially on very hot days.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Sco-Shi Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.90 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Sco-Shi Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Sco-Shi size stats at six months
Height: 5.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Sco-Shi size stats at six months
Height: 5.5 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Sco-Shi size stats at 12 months
Height: 7.0 inches Weight: 12.0 lbs
Female Sco-Shi size stats at 12 months
Height: 7.0 inches Weight: 11.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Sco-Shi size stats at 18 months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs
Female Sco-Shi size stats at 18 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs

Sco-Shi Owner Experiences

Rascal
7 Years
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have had him since he was able to part ways with mom. Overly friendly dog. Gets along with EVERYONE. He doesn’t know a stranger. But everyone also loves him. Very cuddly when I don’t feel well.
2 years, 9 months ago
Nugget
5 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking and running
Very intelligent and friendly companion. Not yappy but quick to alert me if something isnt right.
6 years, 8 months ago
Katy Mae
2 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Exactly as you describe, only she does suffer separation anxiety from her ”person”. I travel for work and she is a registered medical alert service dog. Travels with me She trained so quick and easy!! She seems to know people's intentions and alerts me if they mean me harm. She does not bark when working. We communicate through eye contact and she can answer yes or no or ”I don't know” questions. People stop us all the time in the airport and ask if they can take her picture! She is so interesting looking! And didn't say adorable??? She isbabsolutelybthe most wonderful dog I have ever raised.
6 years, 4 months ago
Scottie
2 Years
1 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking and playing with toys
Just got him but he seems very sweet
5 years, 4 months ago
Nash
8 Weeks
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running in yard
I just got him as a Christmas present so it’s all pretty new but I am enjoying him. He’s got the best personality and is so cute!! He is so smart already!
3 years, 10 months ago
Nash
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I received Nash as a Christmas present and he is so smart and such a loving little buddy
3 years, 8 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - New pet
Question

Potty training tips please

Answer
Toilet training can be tricky and some dogs take to it quicker than others. The sooner we start the better. My top tips are: Bring your pup outside all the time! This means after every snack, drink and nap. This is usually at least every 30 minutes. When they toilet outside they get lots of praise and a yummy treat. If you notice them sniffing about and circling inside (signs they are about to pee or poop), quickly scoop them up and bring them out. If you find they have gone inside, do not punish them as this can cause anxiety. Instead, clean the stain with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the odour. Most dogs can be well toilet trained by about 4-6 months of age (thought the odd accident is par for the course).
3 years, 8 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd