Shih-poo: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Shih-poo, also called Shoodle or Pooshi, results from the cross between the Shih Tzu and the Poodle, most often toy or miniature in size. It appeared in the United States among poodle crosses developed from the 1990s onward, to offer a small companion dog with low shedding. It is not recognized as a breed by the FCI or by major kennel clubs.

The Shih-poo is a small dog measuring 20 to 38 cm and weighing about 3 to 8 kg. Its round head has dark eyes and a short to medium muzzle, less flattened than that of the Shih Tzu. The coat, medium-long to long, is wavy to curly. All colors exist: black, white, cream, brown, gray, or bicolor.

Affectionate, playful and a little mischievous, the Shih-poo is an endearing companion who loves family life. He generally gets along well with respectful children and other animals. He may alert you to visitors, without being a guard dog.

He lives very well in an apartment and is content with daily walks and games. He likes to be close to his owners and does not cope well with long absences.

Intelligent thanks to the Poodle but sometimes stubborn like the Shih Tzu, he learns with positive methods, patience and short sessions. House training requires consistency.

The price of a Shih-poo depends on the parents' health tests, size and demand.

The Shih-poo is generally robust, but it can inherit conditions from its parents: kneecaps, eyes, teeth and, in subjects with a short muzzle, moderate respiratory discomfort.

Small companion dog, it needs a complete diet in small portions.

Depending on the inherited coat, a Shih-poo may look more like a small curly poodle or a wavy-coated Shih Tzu, hence a great variety of appearances within the same litter.