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: July 2026
Overview
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. Average lifespan is 13-16 years.
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.
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).
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.
Feeding & Nutrition
Measured toy-breed meals; these professional loungers gain weight easily.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely 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 honestly charming)
Best Suited For
- Seniors and quiet households
- Apartments
- Gentle families
- First-time toy-dog owners
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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