Shih Poo dog that is also known as a Shoodle, is one of the most popular designer dogs in the world. It is a cross between the Chinese breed Shih Tzu and the Miniature Poodle. This low-shedding toy dog breed is considered one of the best lap dogs, as well as, couch dogs.
The Shih Poo has inherited charm and cuteness from both of its parent breeds. It comes in a variety of colors including Black, White, and Tan. Most of the Shih Poo’s traits are just like other Poodle crosses such as Bernedoodle, Groodle, and Cavoodle.
It is always recommended to learn everything about the dog breeds that you are getting for the first time. So, in this post, we are gonna cover Shih Poo’s pros and cons in detail. If you are interested in getting a Shih Poo, do read about their health-related issues too.
Let’s find Shih Poo’s pros and cons below.
Table of Contents
Shih Poo Pros and Cons
First of all, we’ll list their pros or we can say positive traits.
Pros
Shih Poos are ideal for lazy and busy owners:
They are a small-sized breed with short legs which is why they don’t like much exercise so if you have a tough routine or are a couch lover, the Shih Poo is the best companion for you. Remember, still you need to exercise them a bit so they can stay healthy.
Low-shedding coat:
Both the parent breeds; Poodle and Shih Tzu have a low-shedding coat. And luckily, the Shih Poos inherit this trait from both parents. This makes Shih Poo one of the best hybrid breeds for people with allergies.
Ideal indoor dog:
If you live in an apartment, condo, or a small-sized home, Shih Poo can be your best match because it’s small in size and won’t take up much space. It can easily adjust to any type of home and it can be an ideal lapdog because of its compact size.
Highly social:
Shih Poo is the Party Boy. When it comes to sociability, Shih Poos are the champions. They can easily be adjusted with any type of owner. They make best friends with other canine and non-canine pets. One thing to remember is that they are small in size, so if you have a giant-sized dog such as a Great Dane, Rottweiler, or a Mastiff breed, then don’t get a Shih Poo.
Cons
Although they are among the ideal dog breeds as they have very few negative traits, still, we have found some tiny points that you should consider before getting a Shih Poo puppy. Let’s check their cons below.
Depression or Separation Anxiety:
Well, none of the dogs want to be left alone at home but Shih Poo is a bit more sensitive in this regard. If a Shih Poo is left alone for a slightly longer time, it may develop an aggressive and destructive behavior which may lead to accessive barking, separation anxiety, tail chasing, and destructive chewing.
Risk of injury:
As we have already said, don’t get a Shih Poo if you already have larger breeds as they may be injured severely while playing due to their small size.
Health issues:
Shih Poo may also develop some diseases over time such as Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Sebaceous Adenitis, and dental diseases. So, it’s always recommended to keep them up to date on vaccination and get one from a good breeder.
Final words:
So, these were the Shih Poo’s pros and cons in detail and I am sure you’d be able to decide on the breed now.
Whatever dog breed you are planning to get, try to get one from a shelter or a rescue group first. Still, if you want to get one from a breeder, look for a reputable breeder and do your homework before getting your new furbaby.
Recommended read – Pomsky vs Irish Doodle Comparison
