Breeders of Chihuahua Shih Tzus have crossed Chihuahuas with Shih Tzus to create the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix or “Shichi Dog.” A little but spirited dog that has gained popularity recently.
Consider yourself ready for a lot of charm if you decide to get that Chihuahua Mix! Because of their tiny size, these canines are ideal for apartment dwellers. Shichis also have a reputation for being incredibly devoted friends who will never leave your side.
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Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix History
The Chihuahua
Mexicans are the breeders of the little Chihuahua dog. Chihuahua, a state in Mexico, is the name of the breed, which is believed to be its original home. The world’s tiniest dog, the chihuahua, is distinguished by its lengthy coat and prominent ears.
They have many different colors, including tan, brown, white, and black. A wonderful companion pet, chihuahuas are usually devoted and kind to their owners.
TheShihTzu
A tiny dog breed with Tibetan origins is the Shih Tzu. They are thought to have been raised by Tibetan monks, who valued their warmth-giving qualities and friendship.
When the Shih Tzu were originally introduced to China in the eighth century, the imperial court soon began to love them. Shih Tzus were brought to the West in the middle of the 20th century, and they quickly became well-liked companion animals there.
One of the most well-liked dog breeds in the world today is the Shih Tzu. Their long, silky coats, which come in a range of hues and patterns, are what they are famous for. For people of all ages, shih tzus are the perfect companions because they are kind and gentle canines.
The Shichi
Although the origins of the mixed breed Shichi are unknown, they were likely produced in the middle of the 2000s or late in the 21st century.
It’s challenging to achieve consistency in a mixed breed’s traits, health, behavior, and temperament, but this is especially true if the mix is new.
It was acknowledged as a hybrid breed by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, the Dog Registry of America, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the Designer Breed Registry. This makes finding a ShiChi less difficult than it is for most other mixtures.
Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Appearance
You’ll have a far better idea of what your Shichi will look like if you can get documents and information from the breeder. For example, your puppy will probably have a long coat if both of your Shichi’s Shih Tzu parents do.
The average weight of a Shichi dog, depending on size, is 10 to 15 pounds. They have a short coat that comes in a range of hues, including black, white, brown, and gray, and can be straight or wavy.
The Shichi has a broad, flat head with big almond-shaped eyes. The ears might be upright or floppy and are somewhat large. The Shichi has a long tail, small legs, and a compact, muscular body.
Shichi Temperament
The Shichi, sometimes referred to as the Chihuahua Shih Tzu mix, is a petite, energetic dog whose temperament combines elements of both of its parent breeds.
The Shichi has the calm and gentle disposition of the Shih Tzu with its gregarious and amiable personality with the Chihuahua. A clever breed that picks up new skills quickly, the Shichi is also among the most devoted and faithful of all the toy breeds. This tiny dog will rapidly grow to be a beloved member of any home because it simply loves spending time with its family.
Shichi dogs are excellent watchdogs because they are usually incredibly devoted to their owners. They get along well with kids and other animals in general, however, they could get aggressive with strangers.
Shichi Health
Based on the health of his or her parents, your dog’s breeder will be aware of any potential health issues to which your puppy, whether mixed breed or not, may be vulnerable.
A dog DNA test is an additional option if none of these approaches work. I have utilized the Embark dog DNA test on both of my family’s dogs. I appreciate that this dog DNA test can identify breeds and detect health issues.
I was pleasantly impressed by how precise the breed ID test results were when they were returned after two weeks.
The health detection also helped me learn more about the health problems that my two dogs are prone to and how I can better care for them.
The most common health problems in Shichi dogs are :
luxating patella
This means the kneecap moves out of place. This can happen because of an accident, like falling or jumping from a high place, or it could have been there from birth. It can hurt and make you walk funny, and you might need surgery to fix it.
Breathing Problems
Additionally, Shichi dogs often have breathing problems because their muzzles are too small.
A lot of oral problems happen to them, like gum disease and teeth that are too close together. Shichi dogs can also have problems with their eyes, become deaf, or develop hip dysplasia.
Shichi Care
You need to think about grooming, exercise, shedding level, teaching, and feeding when you take care of a Chihuahua Shih Tzu Mix.
Shedding Level
One thing that could be bad about Shichis is that they shed a lot. The Shichi is thought to be one of the dog types that sheds the most.
The reason for this is their double coat, which has a thick undercoat and a smoother top coat. The Shichi’s undercoat keeps it warm in cold weather, and the top coat keeps water and dirt away.
The top coat also sheds all year, but only the undercoat does so in the spring and fall. Regular brushing can cut down on this shedding, but it will never go away completely. Because of this, people who are allergic to dogs or don’t like dog hair in their home might want to look at a different breed.
Mixes of Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus are not hypoallergenic.
Grooming
It’s important to clean any dog properly, but Shichi dogs need it even more. Chihuahua Shih Tzu mixes have long, smooth coats that need to be brushed and combed often to keep them from getting matted.
Additionally, their long ears can pick up dirt and other things, so they should be cleaned once a week.
Shichi dogs also need regular health care, like having their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed.
Diet
Shih Tzu Chihuahuas Mixes require premium dog food that is low in fat and high in protein. While adults can often only be fed once or twice a day, puppies should be fed three to four times a day. Overfeeding must be avoided as it can result in obesity.
Training
Shih Tzu and Chihuahua mix breeds are clever, simple-to-train dogs. Treats and praise are two forms of positive reinforcement that they take well to. It’s crucial to exercise patience with them because they can be obstinate. One of the first things that new owners frequently need to focus on is potty training.
Exercise
Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mixes require a moderate amount of exercise to maintain good health. Usually, a playdate or stroll each day suffices. They shouldn’t overdo it, though, as this could result in health issues.
Is Shichi The Right Dog For Me?
Shichi And Other Pets
In general, Shih Tzu Mix Chihuahuas get along well with other animals, even dogs. When a Shichi is introduced to other pets, there are a few things to consider.
First of all, the Shichi might not want to share its owner with other animals since it is protective of them.
Furthermore, because of its small stature, the Shichi is susceptible to injury from hard play. For this reason, it’s crucial to watch over any encounters a Shichi has with other animals.
To ensure that a Shichi feels at ease around other animals, it is crucial to socialize them from a young age. A Shichi can get along nicely with other pets if given the right care and supervision.
Doesn’t Get Along With Small Kids
It’s not a good idea to have a Shih Tzu Mix (Chichi dog) in a home with young children. They are small and cute, but they have a lot of energy and get pumped up quickly. Because of this, they might nip or bite, which is not good when there are little kids around.
Shichi dogs also often have separation anxiety and may do bad things when they are alone. This can make it hard for parents who work to leave their kids with a babysitter or daycare.
Overall, Shichi dogs might be good for some families, but they are not the best breed for homes with young children.
Good Choice For Apartment
This small dog is great for people who live in apartments or other small areas. These dogs are very smart and easy to train, and they form strong bonds with their owners. Even though they need to be busy, they don’t do much inside and are happy to curl up on their owner’s lap and sleep.
Shichi Male vs Female
Chihuahua Shih Tzu Mixes males and females are usually different sizes, with males being bigger than females. But there isn’t always a big difference between males and females when it comes to mental traits. Male and female dogs are usually loyal and loving, and they both make great pets. The level of energy may be one place where the difference is more obvious.
Shih Tzu-Chihuahua mixes that are males tend to have more energy than females and may be more busy and playful. On the other hand, females might be more calm and at ease.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Shih Tzu chihuahua mix Characteristics | |
| Size: | 9-12 inches |
| Weight: | 10 to 15 pounds |
| 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 |
Here is a video of a Shih Tzu chihuahua mix puppy playing
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