Shihpoo
The Shihpoo softens Poodle sparkle with the Shih Tzu's thousand-year lap-dog serenity - a plush, easygoing little companion happier snoozing beside you than conquering agility courses.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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The Shihpoo softens Poodle sparkle with the Shih Tzu's thousand-year lap-dog serenity - a plush, easygoing little companion happier snoozing beside you than conquering agility courses. Among the calmest of toy crosses, it's a natural fit for relaxed homes and seniors.
A designer cross: the Shihpoo is a Shih Tzu × Toy Poodle mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. No study has measured how long this cross lives; for the parent breeds the AKC lists 10-18 years (Shih Tzu) and 10-18 years (Poodle).
History & Origins
A 2000s companion cross pairing two ancient lap breeds (the Shih Tzu bred for Chinese palaces, the Poodle's toy line for European ones) - aristocratic snoozing is literally its heritage.
The Shih Tzu parent, in the AKC's account, was developed in the Chinese imperial palace from Tibetan stock, probably from crosses of the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese, and stayed almost unknown outside the palace until the 1930s; it entered the AKC Stud Book in 1969.
Appearance
4-8 kg and plush in golds, creams, black-and-whites and brindles; a rounder, softer face than sharper poo-crosses, sometimes with a hint of the Shih Tzu underbite. Typical size: Toy, 4-8 kg. Coat: Plush wavy, low-shed (varies).
The Royal Kennel Club (UK) standard gives the Shih Tzu a height of not more than 27 cm and a weight of 4.5-8 kg, with a long, dense outer coat that is "not curly"; the Toy Poodle stands under 28 cm with a dense, curly coat. The cross's muzzle length varies too, since the Shih Tzu is a short-faced breed.
Temperament & Character
Mellow, cuddly, moderately playful; less demanding of exercise and stimulation than most crosses, more insistent on company and comfort. Friendly with polite strangers and pets.
Care
Short walks and play suffice; coat needs brushing every other day and regular clips; face and eye cleaning daily-ish (short-muzzle tearing), and watch summer heat - the Shih Tzu's flatter face can shorten the muzzle.
Health & Lifespan
How long Shih-poos live has not been studied; the parent breeds' AKC figures are in the overview.
The Shih Tzu brings a short face. The AKC says the breed does not tolerate heat well and is not a good swimmer, and that breeders screen for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and eye problems including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment and corneal dryness from eyelids that do not close properly; the AKC page lists no recommended tests for the breed. In a 2026 PLOS ONE study of breathing in 14 short-faced breeds, the Shih Tzu was one of five at moderate risk of BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome), with 25-50% of dogs free of signs, and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals now accepts the breed into its respiratory grading scheme.
The Toy Poodle adds patella and eye testing. PetMD's Shih-poo page names hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, periodontal disease, eye problems, von Willebrand disease and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. A puppy's nostrils and breathing are for a vet to judge; we only describe the sources.
Feeding & Nutrition
Measured toy-breed meals; these professional loungers gain weight easily.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Calm for a toy cross
- Ideal senior/apartment companion
- Plush teddy looks
- Modest exercise needs
Cons
- Heat-sensitive if short-muzzled
- Daily face care on light coats
- Slow housetraining reputation
- Snoring is possible (and charming)
Best Suited For
- Seniors and quiet households
- Apartments
- Gentle families
- First-time toy-dog owners
Sources
- AKC, Shih Tzu: history, health and recommended tests: akc.org
- Royal Kennel Club, Shih Tzu breed standard: size, weight and coat: royalkennelclub.com
- Royal Kennel Club, Poodle (Toy) breed standard: size and coat: royalkennelclub.com
- Tomlinson et al., PLOS ONE 2026: BOAS in fourteen brachycephalic breeds: doi.org
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Respiratory Function Grading Scheme: eligible breeds: ofa.org
- AKC, Poodle (Toy): recommended tests: akc.org
- PetMD, Shih-Poo: health issues: petmd.com
Sources opened and checked on 16 October 2026.
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Shihpoo puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a toy breed like the Shihpoo, estimated from its adult weight of 4-8 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.3-2.6 kg | 33% |
| 3 mo | 1.8-3.6 kg | 45% |
| 4 mo | 2.2-4.4 kg | 55% |
| 6 mo | 3-6 kg | 75% |
| 9 mo | 3.8-7.6 kg | 95% |
| 12 mo | 4-8 kg | 100% |
| Adult | 4-8 kg | 100% |
Shihpoo - frequently asked questions
Do Shihpoos have breathing problems?
Usually much less than purebred Shih Tzus (the Poodle muzzle typically lengthens the face), but check the individual pup's nostrils and ask about heat tolerance.
How much exercise?
Two short walks and living-room play covers it - this is the low-octane doodle, by design.
Why is housetraining slow?
Both parent breeds are famously leisurely about it; a strict cheerful crate-and-schedule routine gets there with patience.
Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.A popular sturdy lapdog, this whiskered breed comes in salt-and-pepper, black, and black-and-silver.
It's the Miniature Schnauzer - read the full profile →
Clue 2.This ancient toy lapdog wears a long, flowing pure-white coat that hangs straight to the floor.
It's the Maltese - read the full profile →
Clue 3.A German tax collector developed this sleek guard dog in the 1890s to protect him on his rounds.
It's the Doberman Pinscher - read the full profile →
Adoptable dogs near you
Set on this breed? It is usually a designer cross, so here are dogs of every kind near you, live from Petfinder - filter by breed there if you like. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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