Shipoo Information
The Shih-Poo is a mix of Shih-Tzu and Poodle. This is not a rare exotic new breed, it is a mixed breed, plain and simple.
Just because it is a "mixed breed" does not make it a bad dog. These dogs are quite lovely, as all dogs are. We highly recommend that you contact a Shih-Tzu or Poodle rescue if you are interested in owning a Shih-Poo. Breeders of the Shih-Poo are typically uneducated or money hungry backyard breeders. There may be a few who are actually trying to produce good healthy dogs, however with mixed breeds that is rarely the case.
Common questions regarding the Shih-Poo:
| Do they shed? | Yes. They're not a major shedder like the Labrador Retriever, but some of their coat will be shed, depending on the type of coat. Poodles do not shed, however the Shih-Tzu will shed a little. | How are they with kids? | Both Shih-Tzu's and Poodles can be biters, but most of that depends on the upbringing of the dog. Factors include proper socialization; breeder kept puppy with litter until at least 8 weeks of age, was introduced to dog-friendly children at a young age, etc. | How are they to housebreak? | Toy breeds are generally more difficult than other breeds, but with patience and persistance, as well as the use of a crate, housebreaking should go fairly well. | How do I find a good breeder? | Do not buy a puppy from a breeder who does not test for health issues prior to breeding. Do not buy a puppy from a breeder who sells dogs over the internet. Do not buy from a breeder who will allow you to take the puppy prior to 8 weeks of age. Other bad signs are those who refer to their dogs as "toy sized", "rare", "exotic", etc. |
Do they need groomed? | Yes. Grooming is a must regardless if it has a Poodle type coat or a Shih-Tzu type coat. Both breeds require grooming at least every 6 weeks to maintain a healthy coat. Both breeds also tend to get tangled easily, and you will have to comb on the dog at least every few days to prevent the tangles from getting severe. | How much do Shih-Poo's cost? | Depends on where you get it from. From a humane shelter you're looking at $50-$85, depending on their adoption fees. From a rescue it would depend on the dogs age, how much money they have spent on the dog to get it healthy or trained, etc. From a breeder you're most likely looking at anywhere between $300-$1000. Typically breeders in larger cities will be more expensive due to supply and demand. | Why don't you list breeders of Shih-Poo's? | They're a mixed breed. We're not against mixed breeds, just the intentional breeding of them. |