Shih-Poo

13-20 lbs
8-13"
Unknown
Shih-Tzu
Poodle
Shipoo, Shi-Poo, Shi Poo, Shihpooh, Shipooh, Shitzpoo

The Shih-Poo is a hybrid of the Shih Tzu and the Poodle (most often the Miniature Poodle). The hybrid is usually small, weighing between 13 and 20 pounds and will typically be obedient to his humans. The Shih-Poo is friendly and affectionate and while he will seek to please his owners, he will usually be shy around those that he does not know. This hybrid will do well with kids and other pets and as they tend to be bright; the Shih-Poo is usually easy to train. Your dog will love getting attention and will sit happily in your lap - he has plenty of love to return as well.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Shih Tzu and Poodle

Shih-Poo Health

Average Size
Male Shih-Poo size stats
Height: 8-13 inches Weight: 13-20 lbs
Female Shih-Poo size stats
Height: 8-13 inches Weight: 13-20 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Eye Problems
  • Addison's Disease
  • Mitral Valve Disease
  • Brachycephalic Syndrome
  • Invertebral Disc Disease
  • Sebaceous Adentitis
Minor Concerns
  • Otitis Externa
  • Entropion
  • Corneal Dystrophy
  • Urolithiasis
  • Cleft Lift or Palate
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Eye
  • Heart
  • X-Rays
  • Full Body Physical Examination
  • Blood and Urine Protein Screens

Shih-Poo Breed History

The Shih-Poo is a relatively new hybrid on the scene and the history books are not out on him yet, though the two breeds that make the hybrid have well documented, interesting histories. Believed to have originated in Tibet, the Shih-Tzu is one of the oldest existing breeds, having been developed by Tibetan lamas. Dogs of the breed were companions and watchdogs to the monks in the lamaseries. There are a myriad of myths around the Shih-Tzu, to include their being incarnations of household gods. The breed was named by the Chinese imperial court after having been given to Chinese rulers by the lamas. The breed almost went extinct once imperial rule in China came to an end. Fortunately, some of the dogs had been given to individuals outside of China. The modern breed of Shih-Tzu comes from 14 dogs that had been brought to England. The Poodle is a popular breed that is one of the oldest breeds in existence. Thought to have originated in Germany, the Poodle we know today evolved in France as a combination of dogs like the Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hungarian and French water dogs and the North African Barbet. It is also thought that the Poodle is a descendent of Asian herding dogs or that the breed has ancestors from the Asian steppes who came with the Moors in the 8th century, arriving in Portugal after conquering the North African Berbers. The Poodle was used for duck hunting and at one point gypsies trained dogs of the breed as circus dogs. The smaller versions of the Poodle were created by breeding small Poodles with one another. The first Poodle was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1888.

Shih-Poo Breed Appearance

The Shih-Poo will inherit traits from both of his parent breeds; as with all mixed breeds, you can anticipate that he may inherit more physical characteristics from one or the other parent breeds, or a relatively equal combination of traits from each breed. The Shih-Poo will typically be a very small dog, with an average weight of 13 to 20 pounds. The coat of the Shih-Poo will vary based on the traits that he inherits; it can be curly, short or long (or anywhere in between) and silky. He can be seen in coat colors of gray, brown, black and white. The amber eyes of the Shih-Poo will usually be round and sparkle with an air of mischief, and being a very cute combination of his parents, he will appear to be a huggable teddy bear.

Eye Color Possibilities
amber Shih-Poo eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Shih-Poo nose
Black
brown Shih-Poo nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
gray Shih-Poo coat
Gray
black Shih-Poo coat
Black
brown Shih-Poo coat
Brown
white Shih-Poo coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Shih-Poo wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Shih-Poo Breed Maintenance

The Shih-Poo will often have hair that is wavy to curly and that will require brushing on a daily basis. Without regular brushing, the hair of your Shih-Poo can become tangled and matted. Particular attention should be paid to his hindquarters, behind his ears and underneath his shoulders. Some find it helpful to visit a professional groomer three-to-four times annually for a trim to put his coat back in tip top shape. Fortunately, the breed does not shed much. The Shih-Poo may experience tearing problems, so checking his eyes regularly and cleaning them when necessary is important. His ears should also be cleaned and checked on a weekly basis. As with all dogs, the teeth of your Shih-Poo should be brushed several times per week and his nails should be clipped as needed.

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Brushes for Shih-Poo
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Shih-Poo requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Shih-Poo Temperament

The Shih-Poo will inherit his behavioral traits from his parent breeds, the spunky Shih Tzu and the clever Poodle. Quiet and eager to please, the Shih-Poo will be obedient towards his humans while being shy with strangers. Typically, the Shih-Poo will be intelligent, playful and affectionate, enjoying spending time with his family whether it be in their lap or accompanying them on adventures. The Shih-Poo will have a lot of energy and will enjoy playing with toys like stuffed animals and balls. This hybrid will do well with children and other animals, though they do not appreciate hair pulling or being handled roughly, which may be challenging should smaller children be in the home. On occasion, the Shih-Poo can be stubborn, particularly when involved in training. Take him to obedience classes regularly; this will give him a chance to shine and learn that structure can be fun. 

Shih-Poo Activity Requirements

The activity requirements of the Shih-Poo will vary by the particular dog and the traits that he inherits from his parents. The Shih-Poo will need a moderate amount of exercise for his physical and emotional health. A dog of this size and temperament will enjoy a short to medium length walk on a daily basis. As the breed loves to play, additional exercise can be easily achieved by allowing your Shih-Poo to play outdoors in a fenced-in yard. Keep him company though; he is not keen on being left alone and may dig his way out. As these canines are small, they are also able to play inside with their family for additional activity. The Shih-Poo will enjoy both obedience and agility activities which will be great for keeping active, while allowing him to use his keen mind as well.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
40 minutes
activity minutes

Shih-Poo Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.80 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Shih-Poo Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Shih-Poo size stats at six months
Height: 5.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
Female Shih-Poo size stats at six months
Height: 5.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Shih-Poo size stats at 12 months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 15.5 lbs
Female Shih-Poo size stats at 12 months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 15.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Shih-Poo size stats at 18 months
Height: 10.5 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs
Female Shih-Poo size stats at 18 months
Height: 10.5 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs

Shih-Poo Owner Experiences

Max
2 Months
9+ People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I'm still learning and so far i love him and ill take care of him!ill tell you more about it when he grew up already 😊
5 years, 1 month ago
Coco
3 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We love our shihpoo so much. She's so cuddly and very affectionate. But there are times that she tends to bark a lot, I don't know if she's just asking for food or she just wants to play. There would be an instance where in all of us needed to go somewhere and we don't have a choice, but to leave her at home. It really breaks my heart to hear her cry. We are so trully grateful and very happy to have a shihpoo in our family.
5 years, 1 month ago
Fluffy
11 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fluffy is on of my best friends very loyal
4 years, 11 months ago
Luke
1 Year
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My Lukie poo is my baby. He loves me, we play alot .etc
4 years, 11 months ago
Cap
10 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Love my lil fluffy baby! He is a very energetic dog and loves the outdoors, and playing with toys! When I first adopted him as a puppy he loved to bark all the time, but as he got older the only time he barks is when he’s excited to walk, play, or whenever it’s urgent (hungry, wants to go out, unknown people or cars close by, etc.) He was easy to train but can be really stubborn, he’ll only listen when there’s treats involved or if he wants to. If he doesn’t want to do a trick but I keep asking him, he’ll do it half-assed. Super funny guy ❤️
4 years, 9 months ago
Chewy
3 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chewy is amazingly smart and somewhat easy to train. She is food motivated so I have to be careful to maintain her good diet and not give into her rediculously cute begging face. She is a great companion and loves to go on bike rides with me. She is also very sociable with other animals (dogs and cats) although her instinct is still to chase lizards and squirrels. She is friendly with children and other people in general, but experiences some anxiety if I am not in sight. However, she is not a clinger and often spends time by herself with her toys and napping in various nooks around the house.
4 years, 9 months ago
Sparky
12 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We love how affectionate and smart Sparky is. He does NOT shed. Very low maintenance. LOVES being held cradle style by his momma. Always sleeps with owners and wants to be close, touching them. Extremely friendly.
4 years, 6 months ago
Ollie
3 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Right from the start, Ollie has been very sweet, clingy and affectionate not only to me, but to the whole family as well. He’s so cute, he looks like a fluffy stuffed toy. Ollie likes being petted on my lap and getting carried like a baby. He plays too on his own as long as I or anyone in the family is in his sight. He loves playing with leaves, his plushie and dental chew. The first time I left him for work, I got teary-eyed. Everyday I miss him the moment I leave home. Then he welcomes me excitedly as soon as I come home. I also think he’s very bright for a 3-month old pup. I’m so happy we have Ollie now.
4 years, 4 months ago
Macaroni
6 Months
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He is friendly, loves to play and is just awesome!
4 years ago
sloan
5 Months
1 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
cute and devilish. she acts Eddie Haskel
3 years, 9 months ago
Oatmeal
5 Years
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Shes very calm and never barks, very well behaved, doesnt like to brush teeth though
3 years, 8 months ago
Cosmo
12 Months
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I had a grandma who had one and I own one
3 years, 1 month ago
Marley
6 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bath time
Run
Very loveable and very energetic. Great when surrounded by other people and dogs.
2 years, 11 months ago
Keiko
5 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Laying in the sun
My dog is my best friend. We walk long distances which she loves, we cuddle constantly as she is always on my knee, she knows when I am upset and always pays me more attention, she is the best dog in the world!
2 years, 11 months ago
Csonka
6 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have had many dogs large and small. After one of our Shih Tzu's passed we were asked to give him a home as he was homeless. He was about 1 1/2 years old. When I picked him up he melted into my arms and I knew we were meant for each other. He is 6 now and our bond is stronger than ever. He brings a smile to almost everyone he sees.
2 years, 11 months ago
Chara
4 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Tug a war
Has to have human contact. Definitely a lap dog in the day & needs to feel your touch in the bed at night. Will sleep curled up next to you or often times sleep in top of you. Very easy to house train & very smart learning human words: treat, eat, hungry, want to go bye, bye, go for bath, go for ride, sit, lay down, etc My ship too on the coloring of the Shih Tzu, has the ears & tail of ShihTzu but has more wavy to curly body fur of the toy poodle. She has the underbite of the shih-tzu but has the narrow snout of the poodle. Does not like to be alone. Weighs 12 lbs. Very cute dog!! Hypoallergenic, never sheds. Eats around 10-12 ounces of canned dog food a day but eats that spread out in 2-3 meals a day.
2 years, 11 months ago
noah
5 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
wonderful loving family member. Just Noah and myself. We get along so well. So glad to share my home. Well behaved. Picky eater. Only 10lbs. Only wants Chicken stick for dogs from Trader Joe's. He will go on strike for 2 days to get them. I must break this habit I started it. Maybe just one stick a day. How can I put weight on Noah? Thanks
2 years, 9 months ago
Beau
10 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I got Beau as a rescue when he was about one year old. At first he chewed up lots of shoes, a harness he was wearing, blankets and an occasional book! With love and reassurance he stopped this habit and now. He is so good with cats, loves other dogs and people, likes to romp in fields and snow and is very smart. He is also a good watchdog. I’m so happy that he lives with us and Darcy the cat.
2 years, 8 months ago
Hazel
5 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hikes
Running
Hazel is extremely sweet. She is quite nervous around young children and other dogs, but is not at all aggressive. She gets matted very easily if not brushed. Lots of energy and always wants to cuddle or play.
2 years, 8 months ago
Myles
5 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Go to Beach
Go to Park
Playdate
Walk
Frisbee
Explore the woods
Road trip
Groom
Look out the window
Swim
Play
Nap
Learn a new trick
Catch treats
Chase
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Agility training
Nose work
Dog-friendly events
Heel
Speak
Off-leash
Bath time
Brushing
Dog Parks
Eating Snacks
Laying in the sun
The most loving dog I’ve ever seen in my life! He is my best friend and has made our new home complete in the short 5 months that we have had him. We enjoy every moment with him as he is so energetic, playful and affectionate. I couldn’t imagine life without him now
2 years, 6 months ago
Khloe
7 Months
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Biting
Hide & Seek
barking
Running
Khloe is a little puppy that likes to run and be very energetic. She is quite dumb but very loud.
2 years, 4 months ago
Ollie
6 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My baby is so sweet! He loves people! He is the sweetest lil dog and has brought so much joy into our family! He is very picky only eats one brand of dog food and he loves cheese! And that’s about it! He’s about 85% house trained and knows some tricks! He can be stubborn tho potty training is something one day he will do absolutely perfect! And then the next he just will feel like making a few mistakes lol. But he’s a funny dog and gives our house plenty of laughs and smiles! We just love him!
2 years, 3 months ago
Pipper
1 Year
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
playing with ball
She is cuddly. And loves all people. Loves attention. Loves to play with her toys. She barks very seldom. She is very loved.
2 years, 3 months ago
Oreo
5 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My son Oreo has always been gentle and friendly. He loves to play and is very smart. He inherited the longer poodle snout which virtually eliminated any breathing problems and his coat is wavy and soft like sheep's wool. He is friendly with other dogs but his personality really shines with people- it always seems like he's ready to invite them in and serve them a cup of tea. Only thing is he is very food motivated, countered with his very sensitive stomach, but luckily this has been greatly alleviated once we switched him to grain-free foods and limited his snack intake. He's a great companion and he's in top shape! I like keeping his coat short since he is a very active dog, and I make sure the groomers pay close attention to his dental hygiene.
2 years, 1 month ago
Benji
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We got our was eight months old. He is a rescue and we were told he did have social issues. He was with three children under age of four at six weeks old. We love him, but he is no lap dog. He likes rough that's all he knew so we try to keep him calm but still play. He bites licks bites. He is very smart and so cute. We think we are making progress. He is our dog and we love him.
2 years ago
KC
5 Years
8 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
KC is very sweet and obedient to us (her family members) but she is feisty and aggressive around other people and other animals, she had bitten around 3 people already 2 years ago after she had given birth to her litters.
1 year, 11 months ago
Blue
13 Weeks
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Like to bite all the time
1 year, 10 months ago
Finn
3 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
training
cuddle
Swim
Walk
Finn has been amazing I got him for 900. He is the sweetest thing, he will cuddle right next to me and we will snuggle all day. I recommend a shih-poo. He is not a big fan of the water but it’s not hard to get him in. He is great with kids. So friendly to everyone he meets. Not the best on walks. He was super easy to train and there breed is super smart. He is scared of me older dog but overall they are best friends. I would say he dose good with other dogs.
1 year, 9 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
Question

How much should I feed my 8 week old Shih Poo?

Answer
Hello. This well depend on which food you are giving. The puppy food should be a complete diet and you shouldn't need to give anything else. There will be a chart on the back which will advise how much to give depending on what your little one weighs. Exoevtwd adult weight would be roughly 6kg assuming it was a toy poodle.
2 years, 1 month ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - Nutrition
Question

My dog is 1-2 pound over weight. She is just as active and able to run around like normal. She only eats her kibble and rarely extra treats. Should I be worried and what can I do to decrease her weight

Answer
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd