The Shih-Tzu is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Aside from being friendly and good-natured, Shih-Tzus are also highly adaptable.
You can choose from a wide range of Shih-Tzu mixes as well.
Shih-Tzus are already adorable, but some dog lovers wish to have two different dog breeds’ physical features and personality traits.
Crossbreeding also reduces the risk of health problems that affect purebred dogs.
So, if you want to have one at home, here are some of the cutest Shih-Tzu mix dog breeds that you can consider.
1. ShiChi
The ShiChi is a lovely combination of the elegant Shih-Tzu and the spunky Chihuahua.
It’s a popular designer dog with various nicknames such as Chi-Tzu and ChiShi.
This mix is recognized by different dog registries such as the Dog Registry of America, Designer Canine Registry, and American Canine Hybrid Club.
The ShiChi is courageous but has a loving and affectionate side to them as well. It can have long, short or medium coats.
This mix is great around small kids, but they should be handled with care because of their small size.
2. Shih-Poo
When you cross the Miniature Poodle and the Shih-Tzu, you get the gorgeous Shih-Poo.
Though petite, this mix has a big and charming personality. It is friendly, obedient, and affectionate, so it’s perfect for families with pets and children.
This breed is easy to train as well. The Shih-Poo loves to please its owner but expects attention in return.
Their coats are usually long and wavy, but they can also inherit their Poodle parent’s curly coat.
3. Mal-Shi
The Mal-Shi is a cross between the Shih-Tzu and the Maltese. Aside from being hypoallergenic, the Mal-Shi is also very playful and active.
It has a bold and outgoing temperament, but it’s easy to train. The Mal-Shi is friendly and good with children.
This mix breed is an excellent lap dog as well. Since the Mal-Shi is a low-shedder, it is suitable for allergies.
The breed’s soft and curly coat comes in a wide range of colors. So if you’re looking for a loving and hypoallergenic breed, the Mal-Shi is a good option.
4. Auss-Tzu
Auss-Tzu is a hybrid mix of the Shih-Tzu and Mini Australian Shepherd. Though tiny, this breed can shed a lot of furs.
You need to groom your Auss-Tzu every day. This breed is very active as it has inherited the Australian Shepherd’s workaholic nature, so it needs a high-protein and fat diet and a lot of exercises.
The Auss-Tzu doesn’t bark much, but it needs some space to play or run around so that they can exercise and expend their excess energy.
This breed also makes a great buddy for those who love outdoor jogs and walks.
5. Shiranian
The Shiranian is a cross between two popular small dog breeds– the Shih-Tzu and the Pomeranian.
Both parent breeds have bright personalities, so expect your Shiranian to have the same temperament as its parents.
This breed is also an excellent family dog because of its friendly and attentive nature. It is intelligent and trainable.
However, the Shiranian has a high maintenance coat that requires frequent brushing and grooming.
This breed craves attention and doesn’t adapt well when left alone. So if you want to get this breed, you should have time to take care of them.
6. Shichon
The Shichon is a popular designer breed known for its cute teddy bear-dog looks. It’s also called Teddy Bear dog and Zuchon.
This breed is a cross between the Shih-Tzu and the Bichon Frise. Intelligent, outgoing, and affectionate, the Shichon inherited some of its parents’ best characteristics.
It has a soft, fluffy, and silky hypoallergenic coat. This breed also comes in a wide range of colors such as chocolate, gray, tan, cream, or a mix of colors.
The Shichon is a well-behaved family pet of its friendly disposition.
It’s not demanding, and the best thing about this breed is that it can quickly adapt to its current living conditions and owner.
The Shichon is also a popular emotional support and therapy animal.
It’s the perfect companion for sick individuals due to their caring and loving nature. The Shichon won’t leave your side no matter what happens.
7. Havashu
The Havashu is a cross between the Shih-Tzu and the Havanese. Both parent breeds are known for their affectionate, lively, social, and loving nature.
The Havashu has a low-shedding and hypoallergenic coat, making them a great option for those with allergies.
It’s not the best watchdog as it will greet every person with kisses and tail wags. However, this breed is a great companion because it is extremely adaptable.
It’s a good choice for those who live in apartments and families with children.
The Havashu doesn’t shed a lot, but its long, smooth coat will need daily grooming to prevent mats and tangles from forming.
8. Shorkie Tzu
The Shorkie Tzu is considered the cutest Shih-Tzu mix. This tiny teddy bear lookalike is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih-Tzu.
The Shorkie Tzu is cheerful, docile, obedient, and good-natured. This breed sheds lightly and requires little maintenance, so it’s a good option for new dog owners.
The Shorkie Tzu is easy to train because it’s eager to please. This breed can be curious and will bark non-stop if there’s anything unusual in their surroundings.
The Shorkie Tzu is a great watchdog, but it’s not an ideal guard dog because of its size. But if you’re looking for a family pet, the Shorkie Tzu will not disappoint.
It is loyal, committed, and energetic. Since it’s a relatively new breed, Shorkie Tzus’s appearance can vary.
They may either inherit the Yorkshire Terrier’s wiry coat or the silky fur of the Shih-Tzu.
9. Jatzu
The Jatzu can be sweet, laidback, smart, affectionate, independent, and fierce because of its Japanese Chin and Shih-Tzu heritage.
This extraordinary hybrid has inherited some of its parents’ best characteristics, so it’s the perfect companion pet.
The Jatzu is a small dog with a luxurious, smooth coat that can be either medium or long.
This breed comes in various colors, but combinations of black, golden, apricot, brown, and cream seem to be common.
Some Jatzus that closely reflect their Shih-Tzu Chin heritage will have a wider muzzle than those that favor the Japanese Chin in appearance.
They have dark, round eyes and heavily furred ears. The Jatzu doesn’t need many exercises, so it’s ideal for apartment and condo dwellers.
10. Schweenie
Half Dachshund and half Shih-Tzu, theSchweenie is a loyal family dog with big dark eyes, large floppy ears, and muscular shoulders.
This breed is a light shedder, so it needs frequent combing and brushing.
You have to brush them 3 to 4 times a week to prevent matts and tangles from forming and trim their hair every 4 to 6 weeks.
The Schweenie may have a short, smooth coat or long silky coat. This breed is intelligent, so it’s easy to train as long as you use the right methods.
Socialization and obedience training will help them learn to stay calm in the presence of other people.
Schweenies are active and playful but can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
11. Bea-Tzu
The Bea-Tzu is a small dog with a big personality. This lovely pooch is a cross between the amiable Beagle and the feisty Shih-Tzu.
The Bea-Tzu has a large head, short muzzle, large floppy ears, short legs, and a bowed, fluffy tail.
They are loyal, loving, and intelligent dogs with low-shedding silky coats. Bea-Tzus are excellent family pets because of their friendly personality.
They are protective, playful, and loyal, but they are not violent or aggressive.
Therefore, they are suitable for families with children and apartment dwellers.
Bea-Tzus are moderately active dogs with a lot of energy, so you should walk them every day.
Allow them to play with other pets and run around to help them socialize and expend their excess energy.
12. Boh Shih
The Boh Shih is a Boston Terrier and Shih-Tzu mix with adorable round eyes and large ears.
This breed is affectionate, fun-loving, and is almost always in need of its owner’s attention and time, but it tends to be shy around strangers.
Boh Shihs are heavy-shedders, so you need to brush their coat every day. These dogs may show destructive behavior if left alone for too long.
Early socialization and obedience training are crucial for Boh Shihs. Their dignified personality makes them a little difficult to train.
But with proper training and care, Boh Shihs will make a fun, loyal, playful, and entertaining companion dog.
They don’t bark a lot, so they are suitable for apartment dwellers and new dog owners. Boh Shihs is also great with other pets and children.
13. Papas Tzu
The Papastzu is a combination of the curious Shih-Tzu and the bossy Papillon.
This breed is usually laid-back and doesn’t bark a lot, so they are suitable for apartment and condo dwellers.
The Papastzu is a low to moderate shedder. It requires daily brushing to prevent tangles from forming.
This breed is great with other pets and children, so it’s an excellent option for families with kids and first-time pet owners.
The Papastzu has a short muzzle, curled tail, butterfly ears, black eyes, and long, straight coats in different colors such as black, brown, and white.
14. Shih-Tzusky
The Shih-Tzusky is one of the most unusual mixed breeds. It’s a cross between the Shih-Tzu and the Siberian Husky.
Due to the difference in the parent breeds’ size, the Shih-Tzusky is bred through artificial insemination.
The Shih-Tzusky’s rarity makes it one of the most-coveted mixed breeds worldwide.
It is loyal, affectionate, and great with kids, thanks to their Siberian Husky and Shih-Tzu heritage.
The Shih-Tzusky also makes a great watchdog. They are heavy-shedders, so they need constant grooming.
These dogs have hunting instincts due to their Siberian Husky heritage, so you should keep them away from birds and small pets unless they have been properly trained.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shih tzu Mix
Shih-Tzu mixes will inherit the traits of their Shih-Tzu parents, but they will also have some of the other parent breed characteristics.
That’s why you need to like both parent breeds because you never know what you’ll get. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Shih-Tzu mixes.
How long does a Shih-Tzu mix breed live?
Shih-Tzus have a long lifespan. They can live for up to 20 years provided that they are well cared for.
Shih-Tzu mixes, on the other hand, have varying lifespans. The average lifespan of Shih-Tzu mixes is 8 to 18 years.
Pups with healthy parents have a longer life expectancy. So as long as your dog comes from healthy parents and you take good care of them, they will live for a long time.
Are Shih-Tzu mix-breeds hypoallergenic?
Breeding Shih-Tzus with hypoallergenic dogs will ideally produce hypoallergenic pups.
For example, the offspring of a Shih-Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier will be hypoallergenic because parent breeds are hypoallergenic.
No dog breed is hypoallergenic, but Yorkshire Terriers are excellent options for people with allergies because they don’t shed.
Pairing Shih-Tzus with non-hypoallergenic breeds such as the Japanese Chin and the Papillon may produce pups that are non-hypoallergenic as well.
Where can you find a Shih-Tzu mix breed?
All the Shih-Tzu mix-breeds on this list are adorable, but you need to be careful with your choice.
After all, you want to make sure that it’s the right match for your family.
Always get your Shih-Tzu mix from a responsible rescue shelter or reputable breeder.
Avoid buying one from pet stores and puppy mills. Most breeders will be able to give you certificates proving that your new pup is healthy.
You can also adopt one from a rescue shelter. One of the best things about adopting a dog from a rescue shelter is that you’ll be giving a new lease on life to your puppy.
Most shelters will also handle the first trip to the vet, which will help you save time and money.
