While shih poos tend to be long-lived, with some living 17 years or more, they can be predisposed to the same health problems as their parent breeds. These include allergies, patellar luxation, vision problems and endocrine disorders such as Addison's disease, hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease.
"They are bred companion dogs that are mild-mannered, friendly, and sweet-natured," Jones says. She says these dogs will be happiest in homes with owners who are home often and spend a good deal of time with them. Shih-poos are moderate- to high-energy pets, and they are above average in the intelligence department.
Most Shih-Poos are described as friendly and playful. They are the size of your average lap dog, and their moderate energy level means they'd probably enjoy napping in your lap for hours. While Shih-Poos enjoy a good siesta, they also enjoy walks and thrive on playtime.
Shih Tzu are known as relatively quiet dogs. There's a good chance that Shihpoo can inherit this trait from their Shih Tzu parent. The Asian breed are known for been quiet dogs that are laidback. These dogs are usually quiet calm, which could be perfect for dog owners living in apartment blocks or in city dwellings.
Shih-Poo Activity Requirements
A dog of this size and temperament will enjoy a short to medium length walk on a daily basis. As the breed loves to play, additional exercise can be easily achieved by allowing your Shih-Poo to play outdoors in a fenced-in yard.
Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy. It is also part of their natural social behaviour, to watch and follow what you are doing to help maintain a good relationship with you.
As the name suggests, the Shih Poo dog is a mixed breed: a cross between a Shih Tzu and a miniature or toy Poodle. Their cute, alert-looking expressions and their sturdy bodies can make them easily identifiable. The Shih Poo looks like a living teddy bear with a sweet personality to match.
Shihpoos are smart but may be stubborn. To train them effectively, you'll need to figure out how to motivate them. Often, this involves food rewards or somehow inspiring the dog to believe that what you want him to do is his own idea. Shihpoos have a moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner's lifestyle.
Shih Tzus are purebred dogs, while Shih Poos are born when a Shih Tzu and Toy Poodle mate. This makes Shih Tzus a little more predictable than Shih Poo puppies, who may come with some surprises!
Thanks to their Poodle heritage, Shih Poos are intelligent little Doods that are eager to please their humans. They respond well to positive reinforcement training, provided that you're consistent and set a good example.
Shih Tzus have tiny bladders and cannot hold their pee for excessive periods. Young puppies below 6 months can hold their pee for about 2-3 hours, while older puppies might be able to last through the night. Adult dogs need two or three walks a day to relieve themselves, so don't make them hold their pee for TOO long.
Shih Poo puppies may suffer from anxiety when they're left alone for too long. It's common for many dogs to suffer from separation anxiety, but dogs can also get anxiety from other sorts of causes. Shih Poo puppies might develop anxiety from certain situations that startle them.
Shih tzus in particular are prone to eye problems, because of their shallow, less protective, eye sockets. With these protruding eyes comes the potential for a condition called retinal detachment.
Your Shih Tzu can get stomach problems for a number of reasons and not all of them are due to a serious medical condition or underlying health problem. For example, your pup might just have a simple stomach bug that will resolve in a day or two, or she may eat something that upsets her stomach.
Shihpoo can vary in appearance depending on whether they take after their Poodle parent or Shih Tzu parent. Therefore a Shihpoo could have a curly, silky, short-haired or long-haired coat. Shihpoo coat colors could range from gray, black, brown and white.
Brushing: Daily or at least 3-4 times a week. Nail Trimming: Every week or every other week. Hair & Ear Hair Trimming: Every 4-8 weeks. Ear Cleaning: Make sure to dry your Shih Poo's ears after each swim and shower, and use a dog ear cleaner every week.
The average Shih Poo price ranges between $1200 and $4000 when adopting a puppy from a reputable breeder in the US. Of course, the Shih Poo cost varies between different states. As with anything, their price is usually tied to the overall cost of living in the area.
Dogs who follow you to the bathroom
As their owner, you are the one who meets most of their needs, including for affection, so following is a sign of this attachment. They may also be waiting for routines they enjoy such as a walk or dinner time.
He just wants to be near you. It's really that simple." The same goes for whether they're watching us relieve ourselves or take a shower or do our makeup. The fact that SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS can happen in the bathroom just might be part of the reason why our dogs are so curious about it.
As social animals, dogs choose the person or people who give them plenty of love, attention, and positive experiences. Let your dog be a dog and enjoy hanging out with and being in that person's presence, whether it's you or someone else. But don't give up on being one of the favorites!
Timing. Your Shih Tzu puppy should be able to hold his bladder only about one hour for each month he is old. This means if your dog is three months old, he can hold it for about three hours. Avoid making him wait any longer to go outside.
Dogs should consume one ounce per pound of body weight every day to ensure that they are hydrated. This number then doubles when it's especially hot or after rigorous exercise. Your dog is at an even higher risk of dehydration when it's hot than you are because he can't sweat.
How often does a dog need to pee? To put it simply, adult dogs generally need to toilet three to five times a day, and most vets will recommend a maximum window of between six to eight hours between toilet trips.