Content
- Origin of Shih-poo
- Shih-poo Features
- Shih-poo colors
- Shih-poo puppy
- Shih-poo personality
- Shih-poo care
- Shih-poo education
- Shih-poo: health
- How to adopt a Shih-poo?
A Shih-poo is a dog born from a cross between a Shih-Tzu and a Poodle. It is a crossbred dog that has gained enormous popularity in recent years due to its cute appearance and small size. The Shih-poo is characterized by being an adorable little ball of fur that can be proud of having great health. All this makes Shih-poo a trend in the canine world.
Do you want to get to know this dog better in this PeritoAnimal form? Keep reading and discover all the Shih-poo features, your main care, possible health problems and much more.
Source- Europe
- provided
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- 8-10
- 10-12
- 12-14
- 15-20
- Low
- Average
- High
- Sociable
- Intelligent
- Tender
- Docile
- Kids
- floors
- Allergic people
- Sport
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Short
- Fried
Origin of Shih-poo
The name Shih-poo comes from the combination of the names of the two parent breeds. Thus, the “shih” prefix of the Shih-tzu and "poo" of the Poodle. These two breeds, the Shih-tzu and the Poodle, which are popularly known, mix in equal parts in the Shih-poo, which takes characteristics of the two breeds with regard to their appearance and temperament.
Although we are perfectly aware of the Shih-poo's genetic origin, the exact time when this hybrid breed originated is unknown. Therefore, there is no specific date that can establish the exact origin of Shih-poo.
As with other mixed breeds, the Shih-poo does not have an official standard because it is not a breed recognized by international cynology organizations.
Shih-poo Features
Talking about Shih-poo features is a little tricky. This is because the breed has not yet expanded into many regions and, therefore, it does not have an exact number of specimens, nor the necessary studies to establish an average in terms of size and weight. In general, it can be said that most Shih-poo have between 3.6 and 8 kg in weight and 20 and 38 centimeters high at the withers, being, in any case, a small dog. The average life expectancy of Shih-poo is between 15 and 17 years, so they are considered to be very long-lived puppies.
A Shih-poo has a special morphology, the mix between Poodles and Shih-tzu. Your body is extremely proportional, not losing balance in any of its parts. The head has subtle shapes, and is surrounded by a dense layer of hair that enhances its adorable appearance. Her eyes are close together, very bright and light brown in color, characteristics that give her a sweet and loving appearance. The ears have rounded tips, like a Poodle's, and hang slightly to the sides of the head. Its snout is long and slightly narrow, and its nose is black.
Shih-poo's fur is short, bulky and slightly wavy, although it is common to have a longer coat in the ear and head area. In addition, they do not exchange hair, so it is a breed that, as it loses a small amount of hair, is indicated in case of allergies.
Shih-poo colors
Shih-poo fur can be any of the following colors: grey, brown, black, tan, cream or any mixture or combination of all of the above.
Shih-poo puppy
Although Shih-poo stand out for their sweet and funny personality, when they are little it is important to be very consistent with their upbringing. Otherwise, they tend to develop a mischievous and whimsical personality, so it is common for them to continue biting and destroying objects after the puppies stage. Therefore, it is better to start basic education at a very young age, so that concepts are established as quickly as possible.
Shih-poo personality
The Shih-poo's personality stands out remarkably for all its kindness. on the one hand it is a dog very happy, affectionate and very sensitive. On the other hand, it's a restless dog, who can be a little mischievous and incredibly playful. Your need for companionship stands out, because we are dealing with a dog that doesn't know how to deal with loneliness. So much so that prolonged loneliness can cause disturbances such as separation anxiety or difficulties in socializing. This trait is inherited from both the Shih-tzu and the Poodle.
The Shih-poo is a very considerate dog with its owners, so it is always looking for pampering and, of course, giving that same love. However, it is a breed somewhat reluctant to deal with strangers, being fearful and fearful most of the time, especially if the puppy has not been properly socialized.
It is an ideal breed for families, as likes to play, especially with children, although it is essential that the children and the dog are well educated to treat each other with respect and that there is no scare or that anyone is harmed.
Shih-poo care
The Shih-poh's coat requires certain attentions to be in good condition, and one of them is to perform a regular brushing. For this, it is necessary to use a brushing adapted to your hair type, as there are different types of brushes on the market. Brushing is essential as, as we said before, Shih-poo doesn't lose much hair naturally, so you need to help it with brushing so it can loosen the dead hairs and prevent them from accumulating.
As for demands related to physical activity, the Shih-poo needs walks and games to stay calm and balanced.To entertain you, you can use games of different types, such as those that serve to improve your intelligence or the agility circuits, which by including many different exercises, help to develop and maintain the muscles of your entire body in the best condition.
Finally, it is worth noting that it is essential to offer the Shih-poo, both the puppy and the adult, a balanced and quality diet. You can establish a BARF diet, cook the food, and purchase quality food such as natural dog food.
Shih-poo education
One of the things that most concerns and concerns a Shih-poo's guardians is getting them used to being alone for moderately long periods. This issue, which can be easy with other more independent breeds, becomes a little complicated in the case of Shih-poo, as they are very dependent and need constant affection and affection to feel good. For this reason it can be difficult make them tolerate loneliness, but it must also be said that it is possible to use the proper techniques for this, such as the ones presented in this article: "How to entertain a dog by yourself at home"
Another area that can be related to the above and that usually requires some training is the issue of barking. Shih-poo are quite predisposed to being barkers, which is probably why, if you live with one of them, it's probably something you want to avoid. For this, there are several activities and guidelines that help correct excessive barking of your dog.
Finally, we must emphasize the importance of socializing the puppy and adult dog, as well as the use of techniques based on positive reinforcement throughout their education.
Shih-poo: health
Despite being a dog with enviable health, the truth is that the Shih-poo is exposed to diseases typical of its two parent breeds. On the one hand, it may inherit a predisposition to develop eye health-related problems, such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, typical of both Shih-tzu and Poodles.
On the poodles side, it tends to suffer from the patellar dislocation, which affects the kneecap, or the hypothyroidism, which is a hormonal condition, or bone disease.
Given the risk of developing any of the disorders mentioned above, as well as any bacterial or viral illnesses, it is extremely important to make regular visits to the veterinarian. During these visits, in addition to the corresponding exams, the doctor will be able to provide the appropriate vaccinations and carry out the necessary deworming to keep your pet healthy and happy.
How to adopt a Shih-poo?
After reading this article about Shih-poo characteristics, who wouldn't want to have one of these adorable puppies as part of their family? If that's the case for you, we recommend that, before making a decision as important as adopting an animal, you consider whether you're really willing to face all that this entails.
One of the most important things before adopting is to reflect on the needs and demands your future pet may have. They relate to his personality, including physical needs like food, care, or how much daily exercise he needs. Also, of course, it's essential to make sure you can take care of the animal without resorting to abandonment.
If, at last, after appropriate considerations, you decide to adopt a Shih-poo, we recommend that you resort to animal guards and shelters from your city. Even if they don't have a Shih-poo now, you can wait for one to arrive, otherwise it's also possible to increase the search rate in nearby towns. Certainly very soon you will find a Shih-poo eager for affection, who will be very happy to join your family!