Do you want to own a Shih-Poo dog type? Perhaps, you may want to take care of this kind of dog since it is also adorable as the other dog breeds.
To take care of any dog breed as your pet is one of the best hobbies you can do. You can choose a dog type compatible with your personality and traits if you also want to be with your dogs without so much worry.
If you think that Shih-poo dog breeds are suitable for you, then you may have these types of dogs and considered them as your family.
Owning and taking care of these types needs focus and attention since they like to be loved by their owner. Here are some of the frequently asked questions with relative answers if you want to have a pet like the Shih-poo dog breed:
What’s a Shih-poo?
Shih-poo is a combination of dog from the Shih Tzu breed and a Toy Poodle type. This breed of dog is small, hypoallergenic, and fluffy.
They are also cute and have alert-looking expressions. Their sturdy bodies make them easily identifiable.
Most of the best qualities of Shih-poo are being inherited from their parents. Some of the common names for Shih-poo are Pooshi or Shoodle. If you want to own this kind of dog, you can find this dog type in some rescues and shelters.
You can personally adopt these dogs from a rescue shelter since there are dog breeds like Shih-poos there.
What does Shih-poo Look Like?
Shih-poo looks like a teddy bear that has a sweet and kind personality. Its genetics determines the appearance of this dog breed.
Shih-poo has attributes of both the little Shih Tzu and then Poodle. Some Shih-poos have a hypoallergenic and curly coat of Poodle, and some of them have a long and straight coat from the Shih Tzu’s appearance.
Shih-poo may sometimes be similar to the appearance of Poodle or the Shih Tzu itself. However, there are some instances that they have a perfect blend from both parents.
They are commonly white or black with tawny patches or sometimes with other combinations. Nowadays, most of the Shih-poos are from the first cross-generation between the two purebred parents.
How Big does Shih-poo Get?
Since Shih-poo is a relatively new type of dog, the actual size of it is not precise. However, you can expect that this dog breed’s size is quite small since they came from small-sized parents—most of the Shih-poos have heights around 8 to 18 inches tall.
Since Shih Tzu and the Poodle vary between teacup, standard, and miniature, their offspring’s size will also vary.
How Much do Shih-poo Weigh?
The weight of this dog breed ranges from 8 to 18 pounds or 4-7.2kg. This is the average weight of this type of dog depending on a male or a female Shih-poo.
Do Shih-poo Shed?
Shih-poos have low shedding, which is why many owners with allergies would like to own and take care of these dogs. Since they are hypoallergenic, they don’t upset some allergic reactions of their owners.
How Often Should You Bathe a Shih-poo?
Under usual circumstances, a Shih-poo should be bathed once every three weeks. If your dog has a less frequent bath, then their body’s accumulated oil will begin to smell bad.
Thus, your dogs will not receive the benefits that they can get out of bathing. If baths are given to Shih-poos too often, this may strip away their body oil quicker than their body can keep up.
This may cause dry skin in your pet and may also result in some other skin issues. However, suppose your dogs have a moderate or severe coat or skin issues like irritation or hot spots, hair loss, or severe itching dilemmas.
In that case, it is advisable to provide baths more often to give topical treatments or some herbal types of shampoo treatments.
This would somehow help your dogs to resolve the issues. You can bathe your dogs as often as possible on the 1st week of the treatment process.
Then, you can make a transition to every 2-7 days for their bathing. The timing or the interval of their baths depends on the problems and treatments used to resolve the problem.
Do Shih-poo Dogs Bark a Lot?
Shih-poos don’t bark a lot. So, this could be your good option if you want a specific type of dog that does not bark too much.
This is also a nice breed of dog to be placed in your apartment complex since no one would suffer from its loud voice or noise by your pet.
Isa Shih-poo hypoallergenic?
Shih-poos are types of dogs that are hypoallergenic. Since they don’t shed too much, you don’t have to worry anymore about their furs. Most people and dog owners want to have these kinds of dogs because of this feature.
Is Shih-poo Easy to Train?
Shih-poos are not that difficult to train. However, as dog owners, you need to take more time and prolong your patience. While your dogs are still young puppies, you need a little training with them to learn well as they grow mature.
Shih-poo pups can learn easily in the early stages. You may start training your puppies by showing the place where they could like a pee pad or a litter box, or even an artificial grass for pee-pee within your home since they are just small.
Once they know where to go or how to go there on that specific place, your Shih-poo puppies can be quickly conditioned to go there.
You may even use a bell to train your puppy, signaling for them to go outside once they need to do so.
What are the Most Common Behavior Problems of Shih-poo?
Some of the common behavior problems of Shih-poos include being aggressive, excessive barking, nipping, growling, biting, and inappropriate excretion and urination.
All these behavior problems can be experienced by any dog owner since there are sometimes given to your pets. However, as dog owners, you can even train your pets to behave, you want them to be.
It’s only a matter of putting yourself in the frontline to teach and train them so that you can resolve these behavior problems with your dogs.
What are the Common Health Problems of Shih-poo?
Some of the most common health problems of Shih-poo are dental problems.
Some of them may have some issues with their skin and eyes. These types of dogs are predisposed to patellar luxation, lung disorders, renal dyslexia, Intervertebral Disk Disease, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and hypothyroidism. Some experts have diagnosed a cleft palate on this type of crossbreed.
So, to deal with any of these problems and avoid possible issues to your dogs, it would always be advisable to have a regular consultation with your veterinarian. Your vet will surely provide some assistance when handling these kinds of health problems on your dogs.
How Much Does Shih-poo Cost?
The Shih-poos’ actual price varies from one another depending on their gender, ages, and additional services. However, the average cost of this type of dog is $952. The most common or median price of it is $850.
According to the survey, the dog breed’s highest price is $2,800, while the lowest price for this type of dog is around $150.
If you prefer to buy a Shih-poo from dog breeders, you can contact them and ask for a quotation for their offer. Some dog breeders offer delivery service even though your place is quite far away from their place.
But some of them just arrange the shipping of your dogs by any means of transportation, and you will just have to add an extra fee for transportation.
Some dog breeders don’t want delivery service or shipping method. So, the only option to choose if you want to buy a Shih-poo from them is to directly to their place, pay for the amount, and bring the dogs with you as you go home.
Where to Buy/Adopt Shih-poo Dog?
There are several ways on how you can buy or adopt a Shih-poo dog. If you want to buy this kind of dog, then you may do your research. You can do this by searching some of the online stores and dog breeders who offer this dog breed.
There are some online dog breeders that you can find online. However, at some point, if you don’t want to spend any amount of money and you just opt to adopt a Shih-poo, then that could also be possible.
Perhaps, you can adopt this dog breed from some rescue shelters. You can have more information about these places or rescue shelters if you also search them online.
Some of the rescuers and pet lovers have websites so that anyone can access their place for pet adoption.
What is the Life Expectancy of the Shih-poo?
Since this is a new type of crossbreed, there is still limited information or data about its life expectancy. However, dog breeders believe that its average lifespan is from 10 to 15 years.
You may also examine and observe this life expectancy once you try taking care of this kind of dog.
What are the Exercise Requirements for Shih-poo?
Even though Shih-poos are energetic, these types of dogs still need a lot of dynamic exercises. You can do some daily routines for your dogs for their exercise. Any short but abrupt walk in the evening and morning is necessary to maintain its healthy condition.
They are so happy to run around your home playing with some other toys or balls throughout the day. Playing and romping on a grassy backyard or racing around the park with their canine pals is also appreciated by this dog type.
However, always bear in mind that it is not a hybrid type that will enjoy hiking or jogging with their owners.
This is not their normal attitude. Although they love playing and playing throughout the day, take note that too much exertion may be counterproductive to the health of your Shih-poo.
So, as dog owners, you must know more about these things.
What is the Temperament of the Shih-Poos?
Shih-poos are outgoing and friendly. The temperament of the Shih-poos depends on the environment itself and the nature of the mother as well.
Most of the time, dogs receive their natural tendencies from their mother. If you have Shih-poos at home, you may notice that they are lovable and always seeks your attention.
You may also notice these things once you start training them during their early stages.
How to Properly Groom Your Shih-poo?
These adorable types of dogs require persistent and frequent grooming. Dog experts recommend that your pets should be groomed every 4-6 weeks.
Besides that, you need to comb or brush your Shih-poo every day to avoid fur tangling or matting. It is also important to keep these things in your mind when grooming your Shih-poo:
- The genital part needs to be trimmed to maintain its cleanliness and remove the foul odors.
- Your Shih-poo’s ears should be kept dry and clean.
- Your pet’s nails must be trimmed once a week or every two weeks.
- You also need to brush your teeth every day since smaller dogs are susceptible to periodontal disease.
- This type of dog may sometimes develop reddish-brown stains due to tears under their eyes. That’s why it is essential to wash their face every day to avoid stains on their fur.
These things would somehow help you in proper grooming with your Shih-poo. So, you always need to bear in mind the proper procedures when taking care of your pets.
Why Should You Consider a Shih-poo Rescue?
For those people who don’t want to spend much money, then a Shih-poo rescue could be a better option for you.
Those rescued Shih-poo dogs are usually older and must find a place that can be considered their forever home. They will surely be happy if ever you will give them the chance to be happy in life.
How to Find a Reputable Shih-poo Breeder?
There are several ways on how you can find a reputable Shih-poo breeder in your locality. Some of your options may include the following:
- Ask your veterinarian about a reputable dog breeder. They may probably have an idea about this thing because your vet may have clients who are Shih-poo breeders.
- Search this information at the American Kennel Club online. Also, you may try some online sites since some dog breeders have websites. Dog breeders are also visible online so that they can easily be accessed by their clients once needed.
- Check the dog facility to make sure that the dogs are treated well.
- Meet the dog breeders in person. Prepare a list of queries and ask them about dog breeding and other things you need to know about them. You can also ask them if they are properly registered.
How to Properly Feed Shih-poos?
A proper diet for a small-sized breed Shih-poo must be formulated with medium energy. It is also recommended to provide your dogs with high-quality food since they may have some dental issues.
They are not also allowed to be fed freely since they may gain overweight. As much as possible, make a feeding schedule with minimum treats only.
Like with all types of dogs, Shih-poo’s dietary needs must change from puppyhood to adult ones. Then, you will continuously change their diet once they reach their senior level.
If you are quite skeptical about its proper diet, it would be better to consult your veterinarian for proper advice and recommendation about their dietary routines.
Your veterinarian will provide a specific recommendation and some pieces of advice based on your dog’s energy, weight, and overall health condition.
What are the Best Tips and Recommendations for Raising a Shih-poo Dog Breed?
Raising and taking care of Shih-poo dogs are not as difficult as you think. However, it is always advisable to have prior knowledge when raising this type of dog.
It is also important to invest more patience, time, and effort if you own a specific dog type in your home. If you want to make sure that you can raise well your Shih-poo dogs, then below are some of the tips and recommendations that you may consider:
- Make sure to properly groom them–wiping their face, brushing, trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, etc., once you have them. Have a proper bathing procedure is necessary so that they will always be in good condition.
- Feed your puppy with food that is healthy. Make sure that their dog foods are full of nutrients that their body needs. Bear in mind that the cheapest food in the market is not always the best option for your pets. So, choose the right one that is suitable for them.
- Do some interactions and socialization with your puppy to improve their personality. Remember that the best time of training them is during puppyhood.
With these frequently asked questions and relative answers to the queries, your concern about Shi-poos can be answered.
If you have some other queries in mind, feel free to raise them, or you may consider searching for solutions online. Perhaps, you may consult your most trusted veterinarian about your concern.
