Breed library

Shih-Poo

Also known as Shih Tzu-Poodle mix,, Shihpoo.

shih poo photograph.
Shih Poo.jpg - Derek759. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shih_Poo.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Shih-Poo combines Shih Tzu and Poodle ancestry. Both Toy and Miniature Poodles are described as being used in this cross. A curled coat, a silkier coat or an intermediate texture can occur.

  • Breed type: dog crossbreedBreed reference breed kind.

Breed facts

  • The Shih-Poo combines Shih Tzu and Poodle ancestry.
  • Both Toy and Miniature Poodles are described as being used in this cross.
  • A curled coat, a silkier coat or an intermediate texture can occur.

Size and appearance

Both Toy and Miniature Poodles are described as being used in this cross. A curled coat, a silkier coat or an intermediate texture can occur. Assess the individual dog rather than treating a catalogue description as a guarantee.

  • Body mass reference: 5.897 - 9.072 kgOriginal published reference range for Shih-Poo: 13.0 - 20.0 pounds. Converted with exact unit factors; no parent averages or individual predictions are used.
  • Height reference: 20.32 - 33.02 cmOriginal published reference range for Shih-Poo: 8.0 - 13.0 inches. Converted with exact unit factors; no parent averages or individual predictions are used.
  • Height reference: 20 cmBreed reference height.
  • Height category: short
  • Weight category: small

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

  • Lifespan reference: 13 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The Shih-Poo combines Shih Tzu and Poodle ancestry. The cited reference supplies background for this catalogue identity; detailed ancestry or a founding date is not independently established here.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Shih-Poo - Palipaws factual summaryPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Original Palipaws wording; factual reference: https://www.trainpetdog.com/breed/Shih-Poo/
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. List of dog crossbreeds: parent breedsWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Parentage adapted from Wikipedia contributors, List of dog crossbreeds, CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted parentage text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
  5. File:Shih Poo.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Shih Poo.jpg - Derek759. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shih_Poo.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
  6. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.