STRAIGHT OUT OF THE POND? WHO? ME?
The Shihpoo is a relatively new cross breed developed using the Shih Tzu and either a Miniature Poodle. They are cute small dogs that can have the curlier coat of the Poodle or the longer and much straighter coat of the Shih Tzu depending on which of their parent breeds puppies have thrown to, bearing in mind that puppies in the same litter can be quite different in looks and can have a variety of colours and colour combinations.
Since the Shihpoo first arrived on the scene, these little dogs have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people thanks to their adorable looks and fun-loving, affectionate natures. They are a good choice for first time dog owners because Shihpoos are highly adaptable being a nice size which means they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a big house in the country. They are also incredibly smart having inherited their intelligence from the Poodle which makes them easy to train and being so people-oriented, the Shihpoo thrives in a family environment and are especially good with the elderly.
History
The Shihpoo was first developed in the United States by breeders who were hoping to create a hypoallergenic dog for allergy sufferers. Breeders also wanted to develop a breed that boasted masses of character, intelligence making them easy to train. They also wanted to create a small dog that loved being around people and one that was highly adaptable being just as happy living in an apartment in town as they would be living in the country. Breeders decided to use either a Toy or Miniature Poodle which they crossed with the Shih Tzu and since they appeared on the scene, the Shihpoo has become a popular choice both as a companion and family pet thanks to their affectionate, loyal natures and adorable looks.
Caring for a Shihpoo
As with any other breed, Shihpoos need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.
Caring for a Shihpoo puppy
Shihpoo puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing, confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said, any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother, the better although it should never be for too long either.
It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.
Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.
The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is to be discussed with your vet
Things you'll need for your puppy
There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a Shihpoo puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore, as follows:
Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
A grooming glove
A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
Scissors with rounded ends
Nail clippers
Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
A well-made dog collar or harness
A couple of strong dog leads
A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home, that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night
Keeping the noise down
All puppies are sensitive to noise including Shihpoo puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out.
Keeping vet appointments
First Vaccination should be done 4 days after leaving mum.
The next at
10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination
When it comes to boosters, it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever needed to go into kennels, their vaccinations would need to be up to date
Grooming
An F1b Shihpoo usually has a non shedding, more of a Poodle type coat However, one constant is the fact that their coats benefit from being professionally groomed several times a year to keep them tidy. Shihpoos can also tend to suffer from tear staining under their eyes which needs to be gently cleaned on a regular basis.
It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax is allowed to build up, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure with ear infections.
Exercise
The Shihpoo is an energetic, intelligent small dog and as such they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, well-rounded characters. They need at least 30 to 40-minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible providing it's in a safe environment. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day, a Shihpoo would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling and not necessarily because they are being naughty.
A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must with as much off the lead time as possible. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these active, little dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence, they could escape and get into all sorts of trouble.
With this said, Shihpoo puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious issues
Older Shihpoos don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years.
Temperament
The Shihpoo is known to be an intelligent, fun-loving and affectionate small dog thanks to the fact they can inherit many of their parent breeds personality traits. The Poodle is known to be a highly intelligent breed and the Shih Tzu is a fun-loving character that's consistently been a popular companion and family pet for decades. With this said, both parent breeds have outgoing, affectionate natures which the Shihpoo tends to inherit. However, because they are such a new cross breed, it is very much luck of the draw as to how a puppy turns out bearing in mind that early socialisation also plays an important role.
Shihpoos can be a little boisterous when young which means their training has to start early, the way they are handled always has to be firm and very fair. It's all too easy to spoil a puppy because they are so cute, but this can lead to a dog growing up to be wilful and unruly with some dogs developing a condition known as "Small Dog Syndrome".
It's very important for these dogs to be well socialised from a young age so they grow up to be confident, outgoing mature dogs. Their socialisation must include introducing them to lots of new situations, noises, people, other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated. It's also crucial for their training to start early too and it must be consistent throughout a dog's life. A Shihpoo is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don't know who is the alpha dog in a household, they may quickly take on the role of dominant dog which can make them harder to live with and handle.
Are they a good choice for first time owners?
Shihpoos are the perfect choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented by nature. They love nothing more than to please and to entertain their families and are particularly good when they are around children and older people too although playtime can get a bit boisterous at times. As such, they are not the best choice for families with toddlers or very young children.
What about prey drive?
Shihpoos are social by nature and even though they have working and hunting dogs in their lineage, they do not have a very high prey drive. However, this is not to say that a Shihpoo would not give chase to a smaller animal when the mood takes them and this includes squirrels and the cat from next door more especially if the animal runs away. Like many small dogs, Shihpoos like to "give chase" when the opportunity arises.
What about playfulness?
Shihpoos are known to be "clowns" by nature and have a wonderful knack of cheering their owners up when they are feeling down which is just one of the reasons they are so popular with older people too. With this said, they are can be a little mischievous when the mood takes them, but this often just adds to their endearing natures more than anything else.
What about adaptability?
Shihpoos are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in, they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a house in the country with large secure back gardens.
Intelligence / TrainabilityThe Shihpoo is a smart little dog having inherited their intelligence from both parent breeds and more especially from the Poodle. As such they are easy to train, but the downside is that they can also be a little wilful and stubborn at times and this can make training them a little more challenging. Bearing in mind they learn new things fast which means they can also pick up bad habits just as quickly.
As such, their training must begin early and it has to be consistent and always fair throughout a dog’s life so they understand what's expected of them. Once a puppy has received all their vaccinations, it's a good idea to enrol them into a kindergarten class which not only helps with their training, but also with their socialisation.
The key to successfully training a Shihpoo is to make their training as interesting as possible and to avoid too much repetition. It's also a good idea to keep training sessions short which helps dogs stay focused on what it’s being asked of them, bearing in mind that the more intelligent a dog is, the faster they get bored, bearing in mind that the Shihpoo is known to be an extremely smart dog.
They do not answer well to harsh correction or any sort of heavy handed training methods, but they do respond extremely well to positive reinforcement which always brings the best out of these intelligent and quick-witted dogs, especially when there are high value rewards involved. However, it’s important not to give too many food rewards because Shihpoos are prone to putting on weight far too easily which could have a serious impact on their overall health and wellbeing.
It is all too easy to spoil a Shihpoo puppy because they are so cute, but this can lead to all sorts of behavioural issues which includes dogs developing "small dog syndrome" which makes them harder to handle and live with. All puppies need to be taught the ground rules right from the word go and are much happier when they know what their owners expect of them. With this said, Shihpoos are clever and a puppy will always test the limits and boundaries to see how much they can get away with or just for the fun of it. The first commands a Shihpoo puppy should be taught are as follows:
The Shihpoo is a relatively new cross breed developed using the Shih Tzu and either a Miniature Poodle. They are cute small dogs that can have the curlier coat of the Poodle or the longer and much straighter coat of the Shih Tzu depending on which of their parent breeds puppies have thrown to, bearing in mind that puppies in the same litter can be quite different in looks and can have a variety of colours and colour combinations.
Since the Shihpoo first arrived on the scene, these little dogs have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people thanks to their adorable looks and fun-loving, affectionate natures. They are a good choice for first time dog owners because Shihpoos are highly adaptable being a nice size which means they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a big house in the country. They are also incredibly smart having inherited their intelligence from the Poodle which makes them easy to train and being so people-oriented, the Shihpoo thrives in a family environment and are especially good with the elderly.
History
The Shihpoo was first developed in the United States by breeders who were hoping to create a hypoallergenic dog for allergy sufferers. Breeders also wanted to develop a breed that boasted masses of character, intelligence making them easy to train. They also wanted to create a small dog that loved being around people and one that was highly adaptable being just as happy living in an apartment in town as they would be living in the country. Breeders decided to use either a Toy or Miniature Poodle which they crossed with the Shih Tzu and since they appeared on the scene, the Shihpoo has become a popular choice both as a companion and family pet thanks to their affectionate, loyal natures and adorable looks.
Caring for a Shihpoo
As with any other breed, Shihpoos need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.
Caring for a Shihpoo puppy
Shihpoo puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing, confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said, any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother, the better although it should never be for too long either.
It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.
Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.
The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is to be discussed with your vet
Things you'll need for your puppy
There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a Shihpoo puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore, as follows:
Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
A grooming glove
A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
Scissors with rounded ends
Nail clippers
Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
A well-made dog collar or harness
A couple of strong dog leads
A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home, that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night
Keeping the noise down
All puppies are sensitive to noise including Shihpoo puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out.
Keeping vet appointments
First Vaccination should be done 4 days after leaving mum.
The next at
10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination
When it comes to boosters, it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever needed to go into kennels, their vaccinations would need to be up to date
Grooming
An F1b Shihpoo usually has a non shedding, more of a Poodle type coat However, one constant is the fact that their coats benefit from being professionally groomed several times a year to keep them tidy. Shihpoos can also tend to suffer from tear staining under their eyes which needs to be gently cleaned on a regular basis.
It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax is allowed to build up, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure with ear infections.
Exercise
The Shihpoo is an energetic, intelligent small dog and as such they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, well-rounded characters. They need at least 30 to 40-minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible providing it's in a safe environment. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day, a Shihpoo would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling and not necessarily because they are being naughty.
A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must with as much off the lead time as possible. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these active, little dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence, they could escape and get into all sorts of trouble.
With this said, Shihpoo puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious issues
Older Shihpoos don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years.
Temperament
The Shihpoo is known to be an intelligent, fun-loving and affectionate small dog thanks to the fact they can inherit many of their parent breeds personality traits. The Poodle is known to be a highly intelligent breed and the Shih Tzu is a fun-loving character that's consistently been a popular companion and family pet for decades. With this said, both parent breeds have outgoing, affectionate natures which the Shihpoo tends to inherit. However, because they are such a new cross breed, it is very much luck of the draw as to how a puppy turns out bearing in mind that early socialisation also plays an important role.
Shihpoos can be a little boisterous when young which means their training has to start early, the way they are handled always has to be firm and very fair. It's all too easy to spoil a puppy because they are so cute, but this can lead to a dog growing up to be wilful and unruly with some dogs developing a condition known as "Small Dog Syndrome".
It's very important for these dogs to be well socialised from a young age so they grow up to be confident, outgoing mature dogs. Their socialisation must include introducing them to lots of new situations, noises, people, other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated. It's also crucial for their training to start early too and it must be consistent throughout a dog's life. A Shihpoo is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don't know who is the alpha dog in a household, they may quickly take on the role of dominant dog which can make them harder to live with and handle.
Are they a good choice for first time owners?
Shihpoos are the perfect choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented by nature. They love nothing more than to please and to entertain their families and are particularly good when they are around children and older people too although playtime can get a bit boisterous at times. As such, they are not the best choice for families with toddlers or very young children.
What about prey drive?
Shihpoos are social by nature and even though they have working and hunting dogs in their lineage, they do not have a very high prey drive. However, this is not to say that a Shihpoo would not give chase to a smaller animal when the mood takes them and this includes squirrels and the cat from next door more especially if the animal runs away. Like many small dogs, Shihpoos like to "give chase" when the opportunity arises.
What about playfulness?
Shihpoos are known to be "clowns" by nature and have a wonderful knack of cheering their owners up when they are feeling down which is just one of the reasons they are so popular with older people too. With this said, they are can be a little mischievous when the mood takes them, but this often just adds to their endearing natures more than anything else.
What about adaptability?
Shihpoos are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in, they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a house in the country with large secure back gardens.
Intelligence / TrainabilityThe Shihpoo is a smart little dog having inherited their intelligence from both parent breeds and more especially from the Poodle. As such they are easy to train, but the downside is that they can also be a little wilful and stubborn at times and this can make training them a little more challenging. Bearing in mind they learn new things fast which means they can also pick up bad habits just as quickly.
As such, their training must begin early and it has to be consistent and always fair throughout a dog’s life so they understand what's expected of them. Once a puppy has received all their vaccinations, it's a good idea to enrol them into a kindergarten class which not only helps with their training, but also with their socialisation.
The key to successfully training a Shihpoo is to make their training as interesting as possible and to avoid too much repetition. It's also a good idea to keep training sessions short which helps dogs stay focused on what it’s being asked of them, bearing in mind that the more intelligent a dog is, the faster they get bored, bearing in mind that the Shihpoo is known to be an extremely smart dog.
They do not answer well to harsh correction or any sort of heavy handed training methods, but they do respond extremely well to positive reinforcement which always brings the best out of these intelligent and quick-witted dogs, especially when there are high value rewards involved. However, it’s important not to give too many food rewards because Shihpoos are prone to putting on weight far too easily which could have a serious impact on their overall health and wellbeing.
It is all too easy to spoil a Shihpoo puppy because they are so cute, but this can lead to all sorts of behavioural issues which includes dogs developing "small dog syndrome" which makes them harder to handle and live with. All puppies need to be taught the ground rules right from the word go and are much happier when they know what their owners expect of them. With this said, Shihpoos are clever and a puppy will always test the limits and boundaries to see how much they can get away with or just for the fun of it. The first commands a Shihpoo puppy should be taught are as follows:
- Come
- Sit
- Stay
- Quiet
- Leave it
- Down
- Bed