ShihPoo Breed Description

A Shihpoo (also known as Shoodle or Pooshi) is a mix between a Shih Tzu and the toy sized Poodle. Our Shihpoos are quite small weighing 5 to 14 pounds as adults, and 6 – 12 inches tall. Shihpoos are excellent for allergy sufferers as both parent breeds have hair not fur and are very low dander.

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Shihpoos are very intelligent and have the desire to please which makes them very easy to train. They are friendly with everyone, have a very outgoing personality, and are very lovable. Shihpoos make excellent therapy dogs. With their small compact bodies, teddy bear faces and floppy ears they appear puppy-like even into their adult years. They are well suited for homes with little or no yard as they do not possess an overabundance of energy where they will need a ton of exercise or space to run. However, as with all dogs, they still need the benefit of some exercise such as a short walk or play session to keep them healthy and fit. This dog is suited for just about anyone and will do well with either a single person or a family. Possessing a very laid-back personality and gentle nature makes them excellent with children. They love affection from just about everyone. They have a lifespan of approximately 15+ plus years.

When considering the nature of the Shihpoo you must consider the characteristics of both the Shih Tzu and the Poodle separately in order to determine the characteristics the Shihpoo may exhibit.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is bred as a companion dog and as such are extremely gentle which makes them a great dog to be around children. Aggressiveness is not a trait that runs in this breed and they tend to view everyone they meet as a friend. With this in mind, they also do not make good watch dogs. They get along very well with other dogs. They have a wonderful temperament and can be described as being happy, affectionate, playful, and curious. They are very eager to please, but they can be a little stubborn. They are cuddly and lovable and are quite content to cuddle up next to their owner or snuggle on a lap watching tv. Shih Tzu's are allergy friendly as they have hair not fur, they are low dander and non-shedding. 

Poodle

The Poodle comes in three different sizes, toy (10” and under 9 lbs.), miniature (10-15”, 15-17 1bs.), and standard (over 15”, 45-70 1bs.). The Poodle has been cited as being the 2nd most intelligent breed of dog. Their exceptional intelligence, paired with the fact that they are generally very eager to please, empowers them to excel in obedience training. They learn quickly and will delight in showing off their new tricks. Poodles are generally very easy to housebreak. They are loyal and devoted companions, extremely people-oriented, and crave lots of love and attention. They are typically calm, good natured, with a sweet temperament, and the ability to bond with all members of their human family. Poodles have an extremely low-shedding, dense coat which is either curly or corded and should be groomed every 6 – 8 weeks to prevent mats and tangles. If you should so decide, their coat can also be kept short for low-maintenance. Poodles come in a variety of colors such as silver, cream, gray, blue, black, white, apricot, red, caf-au-lait, brown, and parti-colored. The Poodle is oftentimes referred to as the hypo-allergenic dog. But, while there truly is no such thing as a completely hypo-allergenic dog, they are unquestionably more compatible with allergic persons than other breeds. Being classified as energetic, the poodle, like most dogs, will appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk, play session, or a run at the dog park. We only breed Toy Poodles to our Shih Tzus.

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