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Discover everything about Shihpoo
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
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The Essentials at a Glance
The Shihpoo is a charming, adaptable Begleithund-Mix (companion dog mix) — an intentional cross between the stoic Shih Tzu and the highly intelligent Poodle. Exactly this mix makes it a loving, yet unpredictable genetic lucky dip.
- Health grade C: The Shihpoo combines genetic traits from both the Poodle and the Shih Tzu.
- You're looking for an extremely people-oriented companion who would love to share every single part of your daily routine with you.
- You plan time and budget for intensive coat care — the combination of Poodle curls and Shih Tzu hair is demanding and quickly prone to matting.
- You expect a guaranteed non-shedding, low-maintenance dog — designer dogs are not genetically predictable, and the coat varies greatly.
At a glance
Shihpoo overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Shihpoo combines genetic traits from both the Poodle and the Shih Tzu. While crossbreeding two distinct breeds reduces the risk of certain recessive individual diseases manifesting in the first generation, significant health burdens remain. In particular, anatomical features such as brachycephalic syndrome caused by a shortened muzzle, intervertebral disc disease, and joint problems like patellar luxation continue to be relevant. Additionally, eye conditions such as cataracts occur in both parent breeds. Targeted breed selection therefore requires genetic testing and orthopedic examinations of the parent animals.
See full health info & tests →
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Lifespan
12–16 yrs
Height
18–30 cm
Weight
4–9 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 3,000 €
- Coat: dense, medium-long to long, straight to slightly wavy
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- white
- cream
- black
- brown
- pied
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Shihpoo, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Shihpoo right for you?
The Shihpoo is a charming, adaptable Begleithund-Mix (companion dog mix) — an intentional cross between the stoic Shih Tzu and the highly intelligent Poodle. Exactly this mix makes it a loving, yet unpredictable genetic lucky dip.
Perfect for you if:
- You're looking for an extremely people-oriented companion who would love to share every single part of your daily routine with you.
- You plan time and budget for intensive coat care — the combination of Poodle curls and Shih Tzu hair is demanding and quickly prone to matting.
- You enjoy integrating little tricks and mental stimulation into the day to keep that clever Poodle heritage mentally satisfied.
- You're flexible in terms of personality and can accept both a cozy couch potato and an active bouncy ball.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a guaranteed non-shedding, low-maintenance dog — designer dogs are not genetically predictable, and the coat varies greatly.
- You need to leave him home alone regularly for five hours or more on weekdays, because this dog suffers immensely when isolated.
- You believe small dogs train themselves — the Shih Tzu often brings a good dose of stubbornness that becomes exhausting without guidance.
- You live in a very noisy apartment and underestimate the Poodle heritage with its potential tendency to bark at noises.
The real vibes check
A Shihpoo is like a surprise egg on four paws: you never know beforehand whether you're unboxing the stoic calmness of the Shih Tzu or the bubbly, watchful energy of the Poodle. If you commit to this cross, you'll get an absolute one-of-a-kind companion that enriches your daily life. You just have to be willing to love and lead the exact dog you end up with — regardless of which operating system predominates inside him.
Self-check
Would the Shihpoo really fit your life?
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Shihpoo fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
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Breed Profile
The Shihpoo is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, making it one of the longest-established Poodle hybrids. It is bred exclusively as a small companion dog with a dense, high-maintenance coat. Because the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic (short-skulled), this head shape can be inherited by the Shihpoo to varying degrees.
- Height
- 18 - 28 cm (Female), 20 - 30 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 4 - 8 kg (Female), 4 - 9 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 16 years
- Character
- affectionate, friendly, playful, gentle, sociable
- Coat
- dense, medium-long to long, straight to slightly wavy
- Coat Color
- white, cream, black, brown, pied
- Price
- 1500 - 3000 €
How much does a Shihpoo cost?
A Shihpoo costs around ~€180 per month (€100 – €340, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,270 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (14 years) it comes to about ~€33,800.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€180 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€5,270
Across the dog's life
~€33,800
Purchase from a breeder: €1,500 – €3,000
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
History
The Shihpoo originated in the USA as early as the 1990s, early in the history of designer dog breeding. The goal was to combine the friendly nature of the Shih Tzu with a more trainable breed and a coat that often sheds less. The Shih Tzu itself originates from the Tibetan-Chinese region, where it was kept as a palace companion for centuries. There is no independent breeding organization for the Shihpoo; matings are conducted independently by hobby breeders in North America and increasingly in Europe.
Original Use
The Shih Tzu was kept as a palace companion dog; the Shihpoo itself has no working function.
Origin
USA
Date
1990
Character & Temperament
Shihpoos are considered friendly, affectionate, and generally easy to socialize. They seek close contact with their family and usually get along well with other pets. The Poodle background contributes a higher willingness to learn than that of a purebred Shih Tzu, while the Shih Tzu influence brings a degree of stubbornness and independence. Most are friendly toward strangers and display little territorial behavior. Due to potential respiratory limitations, they are only conditionally suitable for active dog sports.
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Barely any prey drive — small animals trigger nothing. | Very low |
Fun Fact!
The name Shih Tzu essentially translates to 'little lion' in Chinese, an allusion to its history as a palace dog at the Chinese imperial court.
What Awaits You
As adults, Shihpoos usually weigh between 3.5 and 9 kilograms and remain small to medium-small. They are considered calmer and more adaptable than many terrier or spitz crosses, as both parent breeds were originally bred as lapdogs. In an F1 cross, the degree to which an individual puppy inherits the short Shih Tzu muzzle cannot be reliably predicted, nor can the exact coat texture. The Shihpoo is not an FCI-recognized breed, but a hybrid dog without a fixed standard. Despite shedding less than purebred Shih Tzus, it is not allergy-friendly.
Housing & Care
The Shihpoo is ideally suited for city apartment living, but does just as well in a house with a yard. Their very low prey drive and calm disposition make living in an urban environment significantly easier. Guarding the property is also not in their nature. They are extremely friendly within the family and usually get along well with children. Because they seek close contact with their humans, they integrate effortlessly into daily life. Interactions with other dogs are solid, if not overly enthusiastic. The Shihpoo generally gets along very well with other pets in the same household.
- Family Friendly
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Ideal family dog - Child Friendly
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Patient with children - Dog Friendly
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Generally tolerant - City Friendly
Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all.
Ideal city dog
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
When training and entertaining a Shihpoo, the Poodle's high eagerness to learn meets a certain stubbornness and independence from the Shih Tzu. Trainability is therefore moderate—consistent yet affectionate guidance is the best approach. Because this crossbreed is brachycephalic, you must pay special attention to their health in daily life: physical exertion and heat must be strictly limited. Short sessions are far better suited for this dog than long, exhausting exercises or active dog sports. They do not require extended walks; regular, moderate exercise is much more important. Always monitor exertion limits closely during training and everyday activities. Heavy panting or distinct breathing noises are a clear sign to stop training immediately and let the dog rest.
Nutrition & Care
The dense, usually medium to long coat requires near-daily brushing and a grooming appointment every six to eight weeks; otherwise, it mats quickly, particularly around the eyes and ears. The eye area should be cleaned regularly to prevent tear staining and irritation. In heat and during exertion, owners must watch for signs of respiratory distress and adjust activity accordingly. Extended walks are less important than regular, moderate exercise.
| Care Level Daily care is non-negotiable — neglect affects health. | Very high-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Enjoys daily movement but isn't a sports dog. | Moderate |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
C
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
The Shihpoo combines genetic traits from both the Poodle and the Shih Tzu. While crossbreeding two distinct breeds reduces the risk of certain recessive individual diseases manifesting in the first generation, significant health burdens remain. In particular, anatomical features such as brachycephalic syndrome caused by a shortened muzzle, intervertebral disc disease, and joint problems like patellar luxation continue to be relevant. Additionally, eye conditions such as cataracts occur in both parent breeds. Targeted breed selection therefore requires genetic testing and orthopedic examinations of the parent animals.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
In daily life this can mean
You should strictly limit heat and exertion, pay attention to a healthy weight for the knees, and honestly factor in a higher veterinary budget.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders have the parent animals' knees, eyes, and blood clotting checked and pay attention to clear airways – though the fundamental risks of this cross cannot be completely eliminated even then.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Shihpoo
Is a Shihpoo the right dog for me?
The Shihpoo is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Shihpoo live?
The average life expectancy of a Shihpoo is 12-16 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Shihpoo need?
Shihpoo grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Shihpoo good for families with children?
The Shihpoo can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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