Shih poos, as a result, are often playful, affectionate and quick-witted little charmers, although they may inherit their shih tzu parent's willfulness. Because of this, they often need a firm but patient guide in training, and might not be the best choice for first-time dog parents.
Shih Poos usually make good apartment dogs because they don't usually bark a lot. They make excellent companion pets.
Shihpoo are friendly dogs with relatively high energy levels. So they tend to do well in a family setting. Having said that, Shihpoo will need to be handled with care given these so-called designer dogs are relatively small. We don't recommend leaving a dog alone with children unsupervised.
Shih-poos are moderate- to high-energy pets, and they are above average in the intelligence department. Though they're affectionate, they're not exactly couch potatoes, Randall says.
Dental overcrowding, tartar accumulation, and periodontal disease are common in many small dogs, including the Shih-Poo.
Shih-Poos make great companion animals for just about anyone, but a retired senior would most likely be an ideal match. They love to be doted on, pampered, and loved. They are pretty versatile and can thrive in almost any environment–family home, apartment, or tiny house in the middle of nowhere.
While every owners wishes for their Shih Tzu puppy to sleep through the night, many will have disrupted sleeping patterns, some even sleeping most of the day instead of at night. Out of a 24 hour period, a Shih Tzu puppy will generally sleep 16 to 20 hours.
The Shih-Poo will need a moderate amount of exercise for his physical and emotional health. A dog of this size and temperament will enjoy a short to medium length walk on a daily basis.
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! Let's look more at the differences between this purebred and crossbreed below.
So, at what age can you leave a Shih Tzu alone? In a perfect world, it wouldn't be until the Tzu was 8 or 9 months old. However, since you most likely need to work/go to school/run errands, a puppy of any age can be left for the day... 7, 8 or 9 hours.
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.
Shih Tzus are intelligent dogs who are keen to please their owners. However, they can also be stubborn and this can make training a challenge. Keep training sessions short and fun and make sure your Shih Tzu has lots of play time and physical exercise to keep them happy.
The Shih-Poo gives you the best of the Shih-Tzu and Poodle. The dogs can be stubborn and fearful. But they also are smart, sweet, and cuddly. The Shih-Poo is an adaptable dog that loves to cuddle and hug.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
The Shih Tzu dog usually is not an aggressive breed, but some of these cute “lion dogs” can exhibit an aggressive streak. The severity of a Shih Tzu's aggression varies from dog to dog, but no matter how mild or extreme a pup's aggressive behavior is, it needs correcting as soon as possible.
One designer breed that's rapidly gained in popularity over the last decade is the Shih Poo, also known as the “teddy bear dog” for its adorable, affectionate expression that looks just like a stuffed bear.
It's recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day. This is due to the fact that this breed is susceptible to hypoglycemia. With such a fast metabolism, they lack the ability to hold much of an energy reserve.
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.
While it is a change to main meals that can often cause upset stomach with this breed, some Shih Tzu are also sensitive to a change in snacks and treats. A difference in levels of fat, a high amount of additives or coloring or just intolerance to a newly introduced ingredient may be enough to cause an upset tummy.
After spending even one day taking all naps in his crate, your Shih Tzu should be fairly used to the crate as a soft, warm, comfortable, safe, and secure place to sleep. When it is time for your Shih Tzu to go to bed, place him in the crate, close the door, and head to bed yourself.
When selecting what to feed your Shih-Poo, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish.
Understandably, these breeders also charge more for their puppies. The average Shih Poo price starts from $1200 and can go up to $4000.