Fun Shih Poo Facts For Kids

Are you a dog lover and looking for a highly active dog? A Shih Poo might just be the perfect dog that you need.

A Shih Poo is a mixed breed of dog that is the offspring of a Shih Tzu and Toy Poodle. Since both the parents are purebred dogs, this makes the offspring a first-generation designer breed dog.

The Shih Poo is quite popular all across the globe. Its breeding started just a couple of decades ago, and ever since its popularity has been constantly on the rise.

It is a highly active and energetic dog and is extremely loyal too. This little dog is so adorable that you might even mistake it for a soft toy when you see it for the first time!

With proper training from puppyhood, these dogs can just be the perfect partner for any dog owner. If you are interested in knowing more about Shih Poo continue reading this article to find out more!

Shih Poo Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Shih Poo?

The Shih Poo is a domesticated dog. It is a first-generation mix breed of Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle.

What class of animal does a Shih Poo belong to?

Since the Shih Poo is a dog, like all dogs they belong to the class Mammalia.

How many Shih Poos are there in the world?

The Shih Poo is a domesticated hybrid dog. They are largely kept in households, and they are also bred specifically by breeders.

This dog breed is the first generation breed mix of a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle.

As this dog breed is relatively new, having been first bred just a mere couple of decades ago, many people don't know about this dog breed. This might also be the reason why the exact number of Shih Poo breed dogs and Shih Poo puppies in the world is unknown currently.

Where does a Shih Poo live?

The parent breeds of Shih Poo are Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle. Since both their parents are often companion dogs and were bred to be pets to live with humans, similarly their offspring the Shih Poo, also has lived alongside humans from the breed's very beginning.

They love to stay inside the house and don't like being left outside for long periods of time.

What is a Shih Poo's habitat?

Shih Poos are extremely adaptable dogs and thus as a result they are extremely versatile and can live in any environment, from small homes to large apartments. Since their parents (the Shih Tzu and the Toy Poodle) are both also easily able to adapt to their environment, their offspring inherits this trait.

Since it resides with humans, the Shih Poo's favorite habitat is inside homes (with a daily walk to explore the outside world too, of course).

Who do Shih Poos live with?

Shih Poo dogs usually live with humans and they thrive, grow, and mature in the company of humans. Be it a family or a single person, a Shih Poo will enjoy its life to the fullest when living with its owner or owners.

Since they are extremely adorable and playful dogs that can get injured easily owing to their small size, they may be better if kept around older children who know how to handle them delicately.

The Shih Poo has a high affection-seeking tendency and can also be stubborn, so it can become a little annoyed at the presence of other pets and animals which are getting more affection from their owners.

Make sure to always give your Shih Poo the attention they need to prevent this stubborn behavior! As they are playful dogs they love to chase toys around the house at playtime.

How long does a Shih Poo live?

Health issues including diseases and injuries are the biggest threats to all kinds of domesticated dogs. Since the Shih Poo is a well-domesticated dog and lives happily in the company of humans, they receive plenty of love and care.

The Shih Poo is a relatively healthy breed of dog and it has an average life span of between 10 and 15 years, with some living for more than 15 years!

How do they reproduce?

Shih Poos are produced by breeding Shih Tzus with Toy Poodles, but the Shih Poo can also be used for breeding once it is sexually mature. Shih Poo puppies born to a Shih Poo mother and father are known as second-generation puppies. A Shih Poo usually has a litter size of between three and five Shih Poo puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The parents of the Shih Poo (the Shih Tzu and the Toy Poodle) are extremely famous breeds of dogs. They are owned, trained, and loved by millions of people all across the globe.

As this first-generation breed is relatively new not as many people know about it. However, its popularity has been on the rise and will continue to keep on increasing as it is a wonderful companion and extremely adorable dog. As the breeding of this designer dog is ongoing, the conservation status is yet to be listed.

Shih Poo Fun Facts

What do Shih Poos look like?

The Shih Poo is a mixed breed between a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle and thus its look depends on the look of its parents. Generally, this designer dog breed looks a lot like the Toy Poodle.

However, it also inherits a lot of traits from its other parent (the much loved Shih Tzus). The fur of a Shih Poo can either be straight, curly, or in the middle between the two.

The straight fur is inherited from the Shih Tzu while the curly fur comes from the Toy Poodle. As for color variations, the Shih Poo can be found in a wide range of colors with numerous variations and patterns.

The color and pattern of the fur is also a mixture that is inherited from the parents of each individual dog. Usually, the colors of Shih Poos are black, white, grey, brown, and others.

Though the dog has very thick fur it doesn't shed a lot of fur. These low shedding dogs have characteristic droopy ears along with a short curled tail similar to that of a Spitz dog.

Shih Poos also have dark eyes which are relatively uncommon for dogs, as other dogs generally have blue or brown eyes. The paws of Shih Poo dogs are always covered by fur.

The look of a Shih Poo is so cute and fluffy that you might even mistake it for a soft toy when you see it for the first time. How cute!

How cute are they?

With their toy-like features accompanied by curly or straight fur covering their entire body, including the paws, they look so cute that you might just want to cuddle them whenever you see one.

Since these dogs are extremely friendly and adorable they too love cuddling with humans and they even love to sleep with their masters in the bed, if allowed!

Their behavioral traits make them extremely cute too because they are not aggressive at all.

However, they do have attention-seeking tendencies and are likely to make you play with them throughout the day. In our opinion, this only makes Shih Poos even cuter!

How do they communicate?

Dogs have a wide range of techniques and methods by which they communicate with fellow dogs or with human beings and the Shih Poo is no different. Dogs usually bark to communicate with other dogs and humans.

The intensity and type of barking can define the temperament or the current condition of a dog.

If the bark is diminished then it might mean that the dog is afraid, while if it is a normal bark it shows that the dog is happy or in a good mood. If the bark is loud, short, and followed by growling then it means that the dog is angry.

Other than barking, dogs also communicate using body language which can be picked up on quite easily if observed for some time.

Wagging the tail is very common among dogs and it means that the dog is happy. If a dog is seen standing up straight with their ears pointed out straight it usually signals that they are trying to hear something or are smiling upon seeing a known loved one.

The Shih Poo is a relatively quiet dog that doesn't make a lot of noise so these body language cues are an important way that Shih Poo owners can communicate with their pets.

How big is a Shih Poo?

The size of the Shih Poo is relatively the same as the size of Shih Tzus and Toy Poodles. Since both the parents are small the Shih Poo is also quite small in size.

They usually measure around 8-13 in (20-33 cm) tall.

As for the length of a Shih Poo dog or Shih Poo puppy, this varies from dog to dog, but they are most definitely small-sized dogs. Since the Shih Poo size is small they can be carried if required and they are also relatively easy to travel with.

How fast can a Shih Poo run?

Since the Shih Poo breed has not been around for a long time, not much information and data is unavailable about the breed specifically.

However, for a designer breed dog like the Shih Poo, physical and behavioral characteristics can be determined or inherited from its parents. The average speed of a Shih Tzu is 6 miles per hour (9.65 km per hour) and that of the Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle is 10 miles per hour (16 km per hour).

So from this, we can assume that small dogs like Shih Poos will be able to run in the range of 6-10 miles per hour (9.65 - 16 km per hour).

How much does a Shih Poo weigh?

The average weight of a Shih Poo is around 8-18 lb (3.6-8.16 kg). Since Shih Poos are a small-sized dog this weight lies in the perfect range for their health.

The ideal weight of any small-sized dog should be under 20 lb (9 kg).

If you find that the weight of your Shih Poo is greater than this ideal range you should take him out for more walks and carry out more exercises. You should also closely monitor your Shih Poo's diet as Shih Poos generally have a tendency to overeat.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male Shih Poo dogs are simply called a 'dog' while their female counterparts are referred to as a 'bitch'.

What would you call a baby Shih Poo?

The Shih Poo is a first-generation mixed breed dog. So a baby Shih Poo is called a pup or a puppy. A Shih Poo puppy is super cute, have you ever seen one?

What do they eat?

The diet of dogs differs from breed to breed. In the case of Shih Poos, their diet and feeding schedule depend on a lot of factors.

Though dogs are primarily carnivores, they can also eat plant-based foods which makes them omnivores.

Since one of its parents (the Shih Tzu can eat a lot of plant-based foods), a Shih Poo is likely to also enjoy eating plant products. However, as dogs are mostly carnivores, they tend to struggle to digest too many plants, so plant-based food products should only be used to a minimal extent.

Shih Poos are small-sized dogs but they are extremely active and energetic, so they must be fed foods that are high in protein and calories. Along with 25% of protein, 10% of a dog's diet should be made up of good fats.

Apart from these essential products, a good amount of fiber should be present in their food.

For a Shih Poo, dry dog food will often be the best food that you can give to your pet. The general rule of food for dogs is that you should give them 25-30 calories per lb of the weight of the dog.

Initially, baby dogs are needed to be fed at least three to four times a day.

However, when they grow up they should be fed just twice a day. If you are an owner of a Shih Poo be careful not to feed your dog too much as they have a tendency to overeat!

Are they slobbery?

Despite the fact that Shih Tzus drool a lot, Shih Poos luckily don't display too much drooling. For dogs that showcase low drooling tendencies, a Shih Poo is a perfect example. However, if you do notice that your dog is drooling a lot, make sure to visit a vet so that a proper check can be done.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, a Shih Poo will most definitely make a very good pet. Shih Poo dogs are excellent companion dogs that live closely with humans. They are very adjustable to new environments and show versatility in terms of becoming easily accustomed to a place.

Shih Poo dogs are energetic and love running all around the house and chasing toys. They will remain active for a long time. A dedicated time of at least 30 minutes each day should be spent walking or playing with your Shih Poo dog.

If you have kids at home, it is advised not to have very young children around this pet as, owing to the small size of the dog, it can be easily hurt or injured.

However, Shih Poos can be ideal for seniors or older families.

Constant training from an early age is needed to develop good traits in any dog and in the case of a Shih Poo, it is no different. Shih Poos are a loyal dog breed and can be a good companion for many humans.

If you are a highly active person and are looking for a dog to fit in with your active lifestyle then a Shih Poo might be the absolute perfect choice for you!

Did you know...

The Shih Poo is a perfect example of a designer breed dog. A designer breed dog is a dog that has been bred from two purebred dogs.

A pure breed dog is a dog that develops the same characteristics and traits from constant and simultaneous breeding of its same type. Shih Poo dogs are extremely friendly dogs and never show aggressive behavior towards other dogs. Shih Poos also make extremely good apartment dogs as they seldom bark.

Characteristics and health issues

A Shih Poo is a dog that has many beautiful characteristics. Like its parents, it has numerous good qualities as well as a few health issues.

One of its best characteristics is loyalty, a Shih Poo is an extremely loyal dog and thus is an excellent companion dog. However, they can also be attention-seeking.

Shih Poos have an extreme love for attention so you must give your undivided attention to the dog for at least half an hour daily. You can take your dog for a walk or play with it during this time.

A Shih Poo inherits its coat color and fur type from its parents. It can be of a variety of colors like black, white, brown, or grey. The fur is usually dense and can be either straight or curly.

Shih Poos' are extremely active and energetic dogs and can run all around the apartment or home throughout the day. Their playful nature only grows in the company of humans.

This eager-to-please nature also makes them relatively easy to train. Dog breeds like the Shih Poo are extremely easy to train and this can be identified as one of the traits which it develops from its parents.

Despite being fully covered by dense fur all over the body the Shih Poo has a tendency of being very low shedding. This can be a blessing in disguise for pet owners!

Similar to its characteristics and traits, the potential health problems of Shih Poos are also often derived from the parent breeds. Here we shall check out some health problems that a Shih Poo owner might encounter:

Despite the fact that Shih Poo is a very active dog it has a habit of overeating. Owners must make sure that their dog doesn't overeat as, if it does, it can become obese.

Make sure to keep a check on the amount of exercise your dog gets too, as too much exercise can be harmful to small dogs like the Shih Poo.

Luxating patellas are a major health hazard that has been found in many dog breeds. It describes when the knees of a dog easily slip out of place.

Shih Poos can also sometimes suffer from hip dysplasia. In this condition, the hip joint is unable to develop in its normal way and this leads to acute pain and can be a signal of other health issues. Shih Poo owners should keep an eye on the health of their dog's joints.

Having your own Shih Poo

Having a small dog like a Shih Poo dog can be a delight both for the owner as well as the dog itself.

A male Shih Poo pup typically costs around $1000 while a female Shih Poo pup tends to cost a little more than $900 approximately. Though they are good family dogs, proper training should be provided from when they are pups.

Through a variety of training, including lots of positive reinforcement (rewards for good behavior or good deeds), regular grooming (Shih Poos must be brushed every day with a pin brush and then a comb), and a good amount of exercise a Shih Poo can become the perfect pet!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Shih Poo coloring pages.

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