The cute and cuddly Shih-Poo. A relatively new mixed breed, developed in North America, these pups are a cross between the Shih-Tzu and Toy Poodle. Also known as a “Shoodle”, these little guys will always be ready to receive as much attention as you can give. These doggos can adapt well to just about any living situation and will be happiest when they are with their people.
The Shih-Poo is a very good choice for a dog owner that spends a lot of time at home as they do not need too much activity. Given their moderate energy levels, these dogs are popular among senior dog owners. These pups will be plenty happy with a quick walk during the day, followed by spending the rest at home. Due to their small size, typically weighing between 8-18 pounds, they are also able to burn off their energy within the house.
Since this is a relatively new breed, it is important to understand how their purebred parents behave to get a better understanding of the Shih-Poo. The Poodle is known to be highly intelligent and easily trainable, while the Shih-Tzu, coming from a long line of royalty, is more on the stubborn side. It is difficult to know exactly which traits from the parent breeds will be passed on. Shih-Poos will always be first-generation, never are two of them bred together, therefore their traits are entirely dependent on their parents’ DNA. That being said, both of the Shih-Poo’s parents are known to be very friendly animals, and their offspring certainly picked up this trait.
The thing that these pups desire most is love and attention from their family. They love being with their humans and will be more than happy to lay on the sofa next to you while you do some work on the computer. The Shoodle was bred to be a companion dog, and they do a great job at it. You can be sure that you will receive plenty of affection from your Shih-Poo, and the only heavy maintenance that they require is daily cuddles!
