Shih-Poo
Overview
A Shih Tzu × Poodle cross bred as a gentle, low-shedding lap companion, the Shih-Poo is affectionate, relaxed and well suited to flat life. It suits owners happy to keep up regular grooming, and aware that — as with any cross — traits vary and some individuals can inherit the flat-faced features (and care needs) of the Shih Tzu side.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Shih-Poo is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Shih-Poo typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is high upkeep and shedding is low. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Shih-Poo should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a toy breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Gentle, affectionate and usually low-shedding
- +Relaxed and good for flats
Things to consider
- –Coat needs regular grooming
- –A cross, so traits vary and some inherit flat-faced issues
Is a Shih-Poo right for you?
On space, a Shih-Poo is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are good for first-time owners. That makes them a reasonable choice for a committed first-time owner.
Kit that suits a Shih-Poo
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Shih-Poos good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Shih-Poos tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Shih-Poo need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Shih-Poo needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Shih-Poos shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Shih-Poos easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Shih-Poos are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Shih-Poos bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Shih-Poos good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Shih-Poos suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Shih-Poo can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.