A shih-poo is a dog that is born as a result of the cross between a shih tzu and a poodle or poodle. It is a mestizo dog that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years due to its cute appearance and small size. The shih-poo is characterized by being an adorable ball of fur, which can boast great he alth. All this means that the shih-poo has become a trend in the canine world.
Will you stay to get to know this dog better in this file on our site? Keep reading and discover all the characteristics of the shih-poo, its main care, possible he alth problems and much more.
Origin of the shih-poo
The name shih-poo comes from combining the names of the two parent breeds. Thus, it takes the prefix “shih” from shih tzu and “poo” from poodleThese two breeds, the shih tzu and the poodle, which are popularly known, are mixed in equal parts in the shih-poo, taking the characteristics of one and the other both in terms of its appearance and its temper.
Although the genetic origin of the shih-poo is perfectly known, the exact moment in which this hybrid breed originated is unknown. Thus, there is no specific date that can establish the exact origin of the shih-poo.
As is the case with other mixed breeds, the shih-poo does not have an official standard because it is not a breed recognized by international cynological organizations.
Characteristics of the shih-poo
Talking about the characteristics of the shih-poo is somewhat complicated. This is because the breed has not yet spread to many regions and, therefore, does not have an exact number of specimens or the necessary studies to establish an average in terms of size and weight. In general, it could be said that most shih-poo are between 3, 6 and 8 kilograms in weight and 20 and 38 centimeters in length. height at the withers, being in any case a small dog. The average life expectancy of the shih-poo is between 15 and 17 years, being quite long-lived dogs.
A shih-poo has a special morphology, a mix between poodles and shih tzu. His body is extremely proportioned, so that he does not lose his balance in any of his parts. The head is subtly shaped, surrounded by a dense layer of fur that adds to its adorable appearance. His eyes are close to each other, they are very bright and have a light brown color, features that give him a sweet and loving look. The ears, round-tipped just like the poodle's, hang slightly to the sides of its head. Its snout is long and slightly narrow and its nose is black.
The shih-poo's hair is short, bulky and slightly wavy, although it is common for it to have a longer coat in the area of the ears and head. In addition, it does not shed itself, so it is a breed that, by losing a small amount of hair, is indicated in case of allergies.
Colors of the shih-poo
The shih-poo's fur can come in any of the following colors: gray, brown, black, tan, cream, or any mix or combination of all of the above.
The shih-poo puppy
Although the shih-poo stands out for its sweet and funny character, when they are small you have to be very constant in their education. Otherwise, they tend to develop a mischievous and capricious character, so it is common for them to continue biting and destroying objects once they have passed the puppy stage. That's why it's best to start your basic education at a very young age, so that the concepts settle down as soon as possible.
Shih-poo character
The character of the shih-poo stands out notably for all its benefits. On the one hand, it is a very happy, affectionate and very sensitive dog On the other hand, it is a restless dog, who can be somewhat mischievous and incredibly playful. His need for company stands out, since we are dealing with a dog that does not take loneliness well at all. So much so, that prolonged loneliness can cause alterations such as separation anxiety or difficulties socializing. This trait is inherited from both the shih tzu and the poodle.
The shih-poo is a very attentive dog with his guardians, so he is always looking for pampering and, of course, giving that same affection. However, he is somewhat reluctant to deal with strangers, being fearful and elusive most of the time, especially if he has not been properly socialized.
It is an ideal breed for families, since loves to play, especially with children, although it is essential that both children and the dog are well educated to treat each other with respect and that there are no scares or any of them get hurt.
Shih-poo care
The shih-poo's coat requires certain attention to be in good condition, and one of them is to perform a regular brushing To do this, you must use a brush adapted to your hair type, since there are different types of brushes on the market. Brushing is essential, since, as we have said before, the shih-poo does not lose much hair naturally, so you have to help it with the brush so that it can loosen the dead hairs and they do not accumulate.
When it comes to physical activity demands, the shih-poo needs walks and games to remain calm and balanced. To entertain him, we can use games of different kinds, such as those that serve to enhance his intelligence or agility circuits, which, by including many different exercises, help to develop and maintain the muscles of his entire body in the best condition.
Finally, it should be noted that it is essential to offer the shih-poo dog, both puppy and adult, a balanced and quality diet. We can establish a BARF diet, cook food or purchase quality feed, such as natural feed for dogs.
Shih-poo education
One of the aspects that most worries and concerns the guardians of a shih-poo is to get him used to being alone for moderately long periods of time. This, which is easy with other more independent breeds, becomes somewhat complicated in the case of the shih-poo, since they are very dependent and need constant affection and affection to feel good. For that reason, getting them to tolerate loneliness may be a complicated process, but it must also be said that it is possible by using the appropriate techniques for it, such as those presented in this article: "How to train a dog home alone?".
Another area that may be related to the previous one and that usually requires a bit of training is the issue of barking. Shih-poo are quite predisposed to be barkers, so probably if we live with one of them it is something we want to avoid. To do this, there are various activities and guidelines that make it easier to correct our dog's excessive barking.
Finally, we must highlight the importance of the socialization of the puppy and the adult dog, as well as the use of techniques based on positive reinforcement for all their training.
Shih-poo he alth
Despite being a dog with enviable he alth, it is true that the shih-poo is exposed to pathologies typical of the two parent breeds. On the one hand, you can inherit a predisposition to developing eye he alth-related problems, such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, typical of both shih tzu and poodles.
Poodles have a tendency to suffer from patellar luxation, which affects the kneecap, the hypothyroidism, which is a hormonal condition, or bone disease.
Given the risk of developing any of the aforementioned disorders, as well as any bacterial or viral disease, it is extremely important to make regular visits to the veterinarian. In these visits, in addition to the corresponding check-ups, the doctor will be able to give the appropriate vaccines and carry out the necessary deworming to keep our pet he althy and happy.
How to adopt a shih-poo?
After reading this article about the characteristics of the shih-poo, who wouldn't want one of these adorable little dogs to be part of their family? If this is your case, we recommend that before making such an important decision as adopting an animal, you ask yourself if you are really willing to face all that this implies.
One of the most important things before adopting is to think about the needs and requirements that our future pet may have. These refer both to their character, including physical needs, such as food, their care or how much daily exercise they need. In addition, of course, it is vital to be sure that you will be able to take care of the animal, never resorting to abandonment.
If, finally, after the appropriate considerations you decide to adopt a shih-poo, we recommend you turn to the protectors and animal sheltersof your location. Although they may not have a shih-poo at the moment, you can wait for one to arrive, if not, it is also possible to increase the search ratio to nearby locations. You will surely find a shih-poo eager for affection very soon, who will be very happy to join your family!
