Collection: Personalised Shih-Poo Gifts

A new designer hybrid breed, the Shih-Poo is a cross between the ancient Chinese Shih Tzu and either a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Like most crossbreeds, the offspring tend to favour one parent more than the other and can vary hugely, even within the same litter.

Sweet to look at and very affectionate, the diminutive size of the Shih-Poo makes them popular in just about any home environment and they are perfect for apartment living. Small and cuddly, the Shih-Poo is a sturdy dog with an alert expression and endearing personality.

Like all crossbreeds, the history comes from the foundation dogs which are both incredibly ancient with a long lineage. The Shih-Poo itself has only been around for about the last twenty years. Like many of the modern hybrid breeds, the cross was driven by a desire for a dog that didn’t shed coat or pet dander and would therefore be suitable for allergy sufferers.

Unlike some other crossbreeds, people are working hard to standardise the Shih-Poo so that a breed standard can be defined and then in time, these dogs can gain recognition as a breed in their own right with international clubs and societies.

The Shih-Poo is versatile and adaptable and happy to live almost anywhere so they can make great family pets but equally are right at home with an older person leading a quiet life. They are the perfect apartment breed.

Enthusiastic, endearing and smart, they are pretty easy to train and have huge characters for such a pint-sized canine.