Our Shih Poo puppies for sale make adorable, affectionate companions who will steal your heart! Shih Poos are a Shih Tzu and Poodle mix and are excellent house dogs, lap dogs, and companions! This happy and outgoing house dog will quickly become part of your home and family. Browse our Shih Poo puppies for sale for the newest member of your family!
overview of the Shihpoo Dog Breed
Are you looking for a small dog that loves to cuddle, is outgoing, and looks like a teddy bear? Check out our Shih Poo puppies for sale!
A cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, Shih Poo puppies are perfect for small homes and apartments. They love to play, nap, and be snuggled, and they make great companions!
Purchase your Shih Poo puppy today and experience the joy of a small, playful, and downright adorable companion!
If the Shih Poo isn’t what you are looking for, check out the other available breeds we have on our website.
Shihpoo temperament
Cuddly Lap Dog: The Shih Poo is a great example of a lap dog and lives for human companionship and affection! They will be happy to be by your side, whether they are being brushed, going for a walk, or sleeping on your lap.
Playful: Shih Poos love to play with toys and with their humans. Shih Poos get along well with children who are old enough to play safely and respectfully with a small dog.
Companionable: Shih Poo puppies often form strong bonds with their human family members and enjoy being part of the household activities. They may have a preference for being around people rather than being left alone for long periods.
Moderately energetic: Shih Poo puppies can have moderate energy levels. They’ll need regular exercise and playtime to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
Apartment-Friendly: Shih Poos are smaller dogs (weighing 7-20 pounds) and adapt well to different living spaces, including apartments.
Alert: Although they’re not considered traditional “watchdogs,” Shih Poos are attentive and alert and will bark if at the first sign of something abnormal.
Stubborn: Shih Poos can sometimes have a stubborn steak. The key to success is providing consistent, daily training when they are young. Be patient with your Shih Poo and reward positive behavior with treats, praise, or play.
Remember that individual Shih Poo puppies can vary widely in their characteristics, both in terms of appearance and behavior. Spending time with a reputable breeder, meeting the puppy’s parents, and understanding the traits of both the Shih Tzu and Poodle breeds can give you a better idea of what to expect in a Shih Poo puppy.
Shihpoo Breed history
Shih Poos are a designer breed that developed in the last 10-20 years in North America.
The Shih Tzu breed originates in China and Tibet, and archaeology shows the early ancestors may be some of the oldest dog breeds. Paintings, carvings, and other documents show the Shih Tzu’s ancestors as playing a large part in China’s history.
It was not until the early 1900s that the breed made an appearance in Europe, and after that came to the United States. By the mid-1900s, the Shih Tzu’s popularity was spreading and gaining popularity outside of China.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Shih Tzu breed in the United States in 1969. Poodles originated in Germany, where they were bred and used as retrieving water dogs.
With its elegance and intelligence, the poodle became a popular breed among the French nobles and in other parts of Europe. Because of their trainable, attention-loving nature and showy looks, poodles were often used in the circus. They have also been used to hunt truffles (underground mushrooms) with their long snouts.
The Standard Poodle was downsized to the Miniature Poodle. The Toy Poodle was first bred in America in the early 20th century. If they are well-bred, each breed is a replica of each other.
The American Kennel Club does not accept Shih Poos because they are a designer breed. However, Shih Poos may be registered with these organizations:
Shih Poos are 8-11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh about 7-20 pounds.
Average Shihpoo lifespan
Shih Poos have quite a long lifespan and can live up to 15 or more years!
Shihpoo body features
Since Shih Poos are a designer breed, they can inherit traits from the Shih Tzu and the Poodle.
Shih Poos often have big, dark eyes and wavy coats.
Their coat widely varies in color and may be black, white, brown, brindle, sable, or combinations of these colors.
grooming Your Shihpoo Puppy
You Shih Poo may have a coat that favors a Shih Tzu or Poodle or a mixture of both. Many Shih Poos have wavy or curly hair.
Your Shih Poo puppy should be brushed daily to remove loose hair and prevent knots and dirt from building up in their hair. They will need to be bathed and groomed every several weeks.
Shih Poos can develop dark tear stains under their eyes. Wash your Shih Poo’s face with a warm, damp cloth each day to prevent staining.
Your Shih Poo will also need trimming around the genital area to keep clean.
Keeping Your Shihpoo Puppy Healthy
While Shih Poos are generally healthy and can live exceptionally long lives (15+ years), here are some health conditions to be aware of when adopting a Shih Poo puppy.
If your Shih Poo has inherited a short snout, they may have breathing problems. Watch for signs of heatstroke.
Like many small breeds, Shih Poos are susceptible to dental problems. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly and have them regularly checked by a professional.
Luxating patellas, or slipping kneecaps, is also common in small dogs. Watch for limping or skipping when your dog walks.
As a mixed breed, Shih Poos are susceptible to the health conditions of both the Shih Tzu and the Toy poodle.
Like all dog breeds, they are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, two of the most common health issues among dogs. Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the leg or hip becomes weakened, and it can result in arthritis or potential lameness if not addressed.
One of the best ways to prevent this is by keeping your dog from too much running on hard surfaces, especially when they are puppies.
You can protect your dog from one of the most common health problems: obesity. One of the best ways to extend your dog’s life is by giving your dog adequate exercise and feeding them the correct amount of food. Talk to your vet about the best amount of food and exercise for your Shih Poo puppy.
Typical Shihpoo Allergens
Allergens are caused by dander, which is dead skin cells. Both animals and humans shed these dead skin cells. Dander is attached to the hair that dogs shed.
Shih Poos are considered a hypoallergenic breed. However, there is no such thing as an entirely hypoallergenic dog; and different dogs have different amounts of allergens.
If you or someone in your home has animal allergy concerns, please talk to your family doctor before adopting a puppy.
1. Are Shih-Poos good with kids?
Shih-Poos can be trusted with kids if the kids can be trusted with the Shih-Poo!
In other words, Shih-Poos get along okay with kids, but they are small and fragile and can easily get injured by rough play. On the whole, they do better in families of adults or older children who know how to treat them gently.
2. Are Shih-Poos playful?
Shih-Poos are not necessarily high-energy, but they thrive on playtime! They are happy, fun little creatures who will soak up any playtime and attention you give them.
3. Do Shih-Poos do okay outside?
Shih-Poos like to be outside as long as they are with their people. But they are not meant to be kept outside all the time.
For one thing, they are fragile and not made to withstand the elements and for another, they are companion dogs who need to be with their families. They do better as apartment dogs than as outside dogs.
4. Is a Shih-Poo the same thing as a Poo-Shi?
No, don’t get the Shih-Poo confused with the Poo-Shi. A Shih-Poo is a cross between a Shih-Tzu and a Poodle, whereas a Poo-Shi is a cross between a Shiba Inu and a Poodle.
5. Do Shih-Poos shed a lot?
Shih-Poos are generally low-shedders like their Poodle parents and are considered a good choice for allergy sufferers.
6. Are Shih-Poos hard to train?
Shih-Poos don’t lack intelligence. But they do tend to have a bit of a stubborn streak that can make training frustrating. Also, Shih-Tzus are notoriously hard to housetrain, and your Shih-Poo might inherit that trait.
That said, with time and patience Shih-Poos are quite trainable. You will just have to be ready to put in the necessary amount of effort.
7. Can Shih-Poos take the heat and cold?
Shih-Poos are especially prone to heat stroke and don’t do well with warm temperatures. They tolerate the cold a bit better, but they were not made to stand up to the outside elements for long, and do best as inside dogs.
8. Are Shih-Poos easily injured?
You don’t have to treat your Shih-Poo like a china doll, but keep in mind that Shih-Poos are tiny and fragile, especially as puppies. Try to keep a good hold on your pup when you carry her, don’t let her jump off high things, and supervise playtime with kids to prevent them from becoming rough and hurting your dog.
9. Do Shih-Poos bark a lot?
Shih-Poos are moderate barkers. They don’t bark non-stop, but they will use their voice if they need something or see something out of the ordinary.
How vocal any dog is depends a lot on the individual.
10. Do Shih-Poos get separation anxiety?
Shih-Poos were bred to be companion dogs and they love to be with their people. That means they may get anxious if they are left alone for too long.
However, with proper training, you should be able to leave your Shih-Poo alone for several hours at a time.