Shih-Poo Breed Standards
The life expectancy of a Shih Poo is somewhere between 14 and 17 years. I have read a story about a Shih Poo who lived to the age of 21. Shih Poos come in a wide variety of colours, from black to white to brown to grey or even with apricot markings. Basically, they can come in any colour. Black and white (with other coloured markings) seems to be the most popular. The average weight of a Shih Poo is approximately 10-15 lbs. The average height is between 8-11 inches at the shoulders (withers). Shih Poos can have either a scissor bite or an undershot jaw. The scissor bite comes from the Poodle and the undershot jaw comes from the Shih Tzu. Either jaw formation is normal. The teeth are small and very sharp, especially as a puppy. Teeth need special care from puppyhood, so be sure to read the 'Problems and General Care' section. The fur tends to be more like hair. They don't shed and it can be straight or slightly wavy. The Shih Poo's hair can grow very long and become somewhat difficult to manage. This may result in the need for regular grooming, once every 2-3 months, for example. Hair can be left long on top of the head tied in a top knot as with long Shih Tzu coats. (I have yet to see this done! I think this would look adorable though.) Shih Poo's hair tends to stand up on their head and hang over their eyes making it difficult for them to easily see. To keep their hair out of their eyes, it is necessary to cut it really short when they get groomed, especially if you only plan on getting him/her groomed 3 or 4 times per year. The Shih Poo tail curls over the back end. The hair on the tail grows long and straight. (May have some wave to the hair.) Ears are long and floppy. This can lead to problems because the temperature in the ear tends to be a little bit higher than that of other dogs whose ears don't flop over the ear canal. Be sure to read the 'Problems and General Care' section. Shih Poos are quick and agile. They are not as delicate as some of the other small breed dogs, such as the Papillon or Yorkshire Terrier. Shih Poos stand solid and strong, yet are sweet and gentle. They have a fruitless amount of energy therefore requiring daily exercise, even if it's only a vigorous game of fetch. Shih Poos thrive on a little bit of daily activity. They are great little urban dwellers. They do just fine in an apartment setting. It is not necessary to have a backyard if you have a Shih Poo. Of course it is always preferred (as with any dog), they love the outdoors. . The Personality of a Shih Poo Dog Shih Poos share the great temperment qualities of both the Shih Tzu and the Poodle. Both are very loving and loyal dogs resulting in the same of the Shih Poo. Shih Poos are great little watch dogs. They are very alert to what is going on around them. They alert their owners whenever something is wrong (in their opinion, of course) by barking, however they are not yappy. Teaching the 'quiet' command is always helpful with any dog, especially small dogs because they tend to bark a little bit more than larger dogs. Although this isn't always true. Shih Poos are extremely intelligent. Afterall, they share the same genes as 'circus performers', namely Poodles. They are eager to learn and tend to pick up tricks and commands very quickly. They can be trained in many areas, such as; fly-ball, obedience trials and even retrieving small objects. Shih Poos especially love to play fetch and it is great exercise for them. Shih-Poos are also very affectionate. They love to give their human family lots of kisses. They enjoy sleeping in bed with their family also. They get along great both with other dogs and cats, if socialized properly. Socialization is very important, as with any dog. Don't worry, it's never too late to socialize your dog and remember, it's a lifelong process. Shih Poos are naturally outgoing and should never be shy. If you have a shy Shih Poo, you need to socialize him/her more. They should be socialized from a very young age for the best results. They are also very curious. They love exploring new environments, sniffing anything they can get their noses on.
