Are you ready to provide love to your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix? and at the same time receive positive energy and heart-melting every time you see this crossbreed?
Shishi is the name of a crossbreed between Shi Tzu and Chihuahua. Shish Tzu and chihuahua mixes will surprise you with their cuteness and high confidence. This crossbreed is a toy dog that can show excellent behavior anywhere you take her.
Shish Tzu chihuahua mix craves attention and she will always try to let you know she is around. This crossbreed has a big ability to be trained. Also, they are very loyal and will show unconditional love toward their owner. I’m sure you will fall in love with this dog with just one soft bark.
Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Overveiw
source: google images
Shishi is the result of mating a Shih Tzu with a chihuahua.
This crossbreed will weigh between nine and sixteen pounds, And His Height will never exceed One foot. In other words, this dog is perfect for people living in apartments and those who prefer to take their dogs on their laps whenever they go.
Shishi is a tranquil dog. But, there are always exceptions some of them could be aggressive toward other pets.
Here is what you should expect about Shishi and some quick info.
- They are not very energetic and will show a lot of love. Also, they are very protective.
- They weigh somewhere between 9-16 pounds.
- Their size is between 9-12 inches.
- Temperament: they tend to be nice but they take time to accept strangers. Furthermore, they are very enthusiastic, loyal, and loving dogs.
- The Mating purpose: People in china used to breed Shish Tzu and chihuahua to have a “miniature Lion”. Because they believe that the lion represents Royalty.
The appearance of Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix
source: google images
The length of the coat of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is medium and can have various colors. But, the most popular color is tan and white.
When the genes of Shih Tzu are dominant, there is a possibility that your dog may become hypoallergenic.
In fact, it is very hard to predict which gene is dominant in the mix. This means that each pup will be unique and different. Anyhow, here are the popular color patterns in this crossbreed:
- Black and white
- Black, tan, and white.
- White and Red
- Tan and white
Even if this crossbreed is a toy breed. It doesn’t mean that they are low-maintenance dogs. In some cases, this is true. But when the dog has a longer coat grooming and haircuts should take place more frequently.
When the genes of the chihuahua parent are dominant, the dog will have a short coat with minimal shedding.
Whereas when there is more Shih Tzu than a chihuahua, your puppy will primarily have longer hair that will require to be groomed systematically.
You should remember that the majority of canine organizations around the world like the American Kennel Club AKC don’t recognize this crossbreed.
The Temperament of Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix
source: google images
Shishi has the tendency to be nice. But, in some cases, the dog could be very aggressive, especially with strangers.
I’m sure that you have already heard about chihuahuas’ aggressiveness and thought personalities. This is why when the genes of chihuahuas are dominant. The Shishi then will be very protective and ready to attack any dogs regardless of their size in order to protect you. On the other hand, when the pup is more Shih Tzu, your dog will be very calm, with little barking.
Shishi is very happy, caring, and very loyal to her owner and family.
The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mixes like to play and spend happy moments with their owners. Also, they like to take naps on their parent’s laps. In general, this crossbreed’s energy doesn’t last a long time period as they have a short attention span.
Just like their chihuahua parents, these dogs will show some yipping when they are not safe or excited about something, or when they want to tell you something like the need of going out. But, in general, you should not worry about their barking.
It is very rare when this crossbreed show aggression behind their light bark.
Caring for a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix
source: google images
The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is suitable for people living in small houses or apartments with few family members.
The Shishi will require to go outside and get food twice a day. For this reason, the owner must have enough time to do so. Even if This crossbreed is known to be passive, they still need to do some exercises on a daily basis.
Grooming is so important for Shih Tzu chihuahua mixes because their double-layer coat is not easy to deal with.
Exercise
The first thing you should take into consideration is that you must always take your dog for a walk on a leash. For some security reasons such as being attacked by larger dogs. Also, Being on a leash is a must when the dog is still learning attitudes.
As mentioned earlier Shih Tzu chihuahua mix has a short attention span. Consequently, when a Shishi runs off to chase something or for other unknown reasons, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the dog will come back to you.
The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix has the tendency to be less active. However, it doesn’t mean that the dog doesn’t require to be taken on a walk on a daily basis. The Shishi need 1 walk a day anywhere between fifteen to twenty minutes.
Grooming
Grooming is directly related to the length of the coat and if the dog is known to be shedding or not. Concerning chihuahuas, their shedding is minimal. On the other hand, Shedding doesn’t exist for Shih Tzu( because of their hypoallergenic trait).
with that being said, The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix will require grooming on a weekly basis. And daily if the coat is long.
Diet
The amount of food you should provide your dog depends on his age. In general, you have to feed your dog twice a day in the morning and in the evening.
For instance, the quantity you should feed your Shih Tzu chihuahua puppy during the day is anything between half a cup and one cup. But you should never feed the pup food amount above one cup.
On the other hand, there are two rules you can use to feed an adult dog. Which are thirty-five calories per pound weight for adults.
Concerning puppies, one-half of an ounce/pound of body weight.
The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix health issues
Just like any other breed, there are some health issues that are common and that you should expect this crossbreed can get.
Here is a list of some health issues that The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix can face during his life:
- Weight issue– when the dog’s diet is not under control, there is a possibility that the may suffer from obesity.
- Eye problems-especially when the dog becomes old.
- Hypoglycemia-it is common for small dogs to get this health problem.
- Patellar Luxation– it is common for various pets to suffer from this condition.
- Respiratory problems.
with that being said, you can limit or avoid all these health concerns if you follow a high-quality diet and systematic veterinary checkups( preferably annual visits).
The life expectancy of a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix
This crossbreed can live between twelve to fifteen years on average.
The cost of a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix
The price depends on various factors such as the dog’s color, the reputation of the breeder, and your location. However, the price in the US for a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix puppy ranges anywhere from $300-$1,000.
How to Train a Chihuahua Shih Tzu Mix
source: google images
As mentioned earlier, this dog has a short attention span and is stubborn. Which makes his training a little bit difficult.
With consistency and positive reinforcement, you can train your dog to avoid unwanted behaviors.
Socialization at an early age can help introduce your dog to his environment and make it very easy for the dog to get along with strangers and other animals.
Before starting training sessions, you have to set yourself as the pack’s leader and the dog should know it, then you should establish some rules.
The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix is a happy dog, using traits will help you to keep the dog very motivated for training sessions.
Housetraining is a must for any dog. The little size of the Shih Tzu chihuahua mix and the small size of the bladders can make things a little complicated. For this reason, the dog will need to go more often to the bathroom. Whenever you notice your dog is dancing or shaking, it means that the dog needs to go.
Just like their chihuahua parents, sometimes this crossbreed will bark. So in order to stop their annoying barking, you can use orders like “quit” or “stop. Once the dog obeys you, be patient for seconds then reward the puppy with a treat.
Always keep positive reinforcement when you are training your Shih Tzu chihuahua mix.
During the training session, you should not forget to let your dog relax. Then dedicate some time to playing. This way you can make training sessions easy for your dog.
Playing with your dog some games such as fetch will help your dog to realize his pent-up energy and it is also good for the dog’s mental health.
Things you need to know before buying a Shih Tzu chihuahua puppy
source: google images
Like any other pet, this crossbreed has pros and cons you have to take into consideration before buying or adopting one.
Pros
- Very little daily grooming is required
- Great for families
- Needs little exercise
- Protective and loyal
- A great apartment dog
Cons
- He Barks when he feels not safe
- Doesn’t get along with strangers
- Lazy
- Can’t bear being inside house all the day
Additional things about the Chihuahua Shih Tzu mix:
- Shishi is the name of the Shih Tzu chihuahua mix, but people call them also Chi-shi or Chi-Tzu.
- These dogs have a double coat, the bottom is short and the top is wavy.
- Good for Appartement
- Their attention span is very short
- Mini varieties such as teacups don’t exist, so pay attention when someone is trying to sell a teacup Shih Tzu chihuahua mix.
- You can find them on market.
- The Shih Tzu chihuahua mix can have ears that droop down or are pointed up.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Shih Tzu chihuahua mix Characteristics | |
| Size: | 9-12 inches |
| Weight: | 9-16lb |
| Lifespan: | 12-15 years and sometimes can exceed it |
| Coat: | Medium length, straight or curly |
| Color: | Black and white, white and red, Tan and white are the most popular |
| Shedding: | Low-moderate, depending on the coat type and length |
| Temperament: | Moderate, and sometimes offensive |
| Intelligence: | Not very smart, short attention span |
| Socialization: | If the dog has learned it at an early age |
| Destructive Behavior: | Chewing objects |
| People Skills: | Can’t bear strangers, they need time |
| with Children: | Unknown |
| Activity Levels: | Lazy, they don’t need a lot of exercises |
Last word
In general, this dog suits a person who is living in an apartment alone or in a relationship.
This tiny dog will never leave your lap and will never show any fear when he feels that you are in danger. They are very courageous.
They don’t need a lot of intense exercises. But you should not skip a lot of days without any activity.
Finally, give this dog an opportunity to bring some happiness and joy into your life.
Please don’t forget to share with us your thoughts about this dog in the comment section.
Here is a video of a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix puppy playing
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