The Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix is rapidly becoming a very popular companion dog. Here, you will discover all the facts about this adorable dog.
If you truly love small dogs, then a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix might be a great choice for his small size, cute looks and charming personality.
Yet while the cuteness of this dog could melt your heart, it’s important to understand a few things before you bring one into your home.
Read on for more info and pictures of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix dog.
Table of Contents
What is a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Called?
As his name suggests, the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix is a cross between two different breeds: the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua.
This mixed breed dog is also called the Shichi or Shi Chi.
It doesn’t take rocket science to get a general idea of what to expect from a Shichi dog – it’s all in his name!
The combination of the courageous Chihuahua and the charming personality of the Shih Tzu will result in an excellent companion dog for you and your family.
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Both the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua are some of the most popular dog breeds today, so it’s easy to see why their offspring is so famous as well.
It is important to point out here that mixed breed dogs inherit much more than just the physical features from their parent dogs; they also acquire their temperament and personality traits from each parent breed, so you can only make an educated guess about what you’re getting.
Before we delve deeper into the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix, let’s first take a brief look at his parents. When you know more about each parent breed, you’ll have a good idea about your pup’s looks and personality.
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So here we go, information about each Shichi dog parent breed.
An Overview of the Shih Tzu
Little is known about the history of the Shih Tzu breed, but historians believe that this is one of the oldest breeds around. It’s said that Shih Tzus originated in the China/Tibet region where they served as watchdogs and companion pets to the ancient monks.
The cheerful and playful little Shih Tzu dogs were bred to have a standard appearance. These dogs moved to the UK in the 20th century and were registered by the country’s Kennel Club in 1928. However, it was not until 1969 that the Shih Tzu was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The modern-day Shih Tzu is a friendly and loving dog that can be a great companion for anyone who loves small dogs.
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Shih Tzu
An Overview of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua may be a tiny creature, but there is more to these dogs than you can imagine.
It’s thought that the Chihuahua descended from a smaller dog breed known as Techichi who was originally domesticated by the Toltecs around 500 AD. These dogs originally took part in religious events and later on started living in people’s homes.
Explorers later took these tiny dogs to Western Europe where the present-day Chihuahua was developed.
Chihuahuas were first registered by the AKC in 1904. They got their name from the Mexican region of Chiuhua where they are believed to have originated many years back.
Today, Chihuahuas are active, smart dogs that are truly devoted to their owners. They are generally calm and friendly.
Now that you know more about the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix’s parent breeds, let’s delve deeper into the facts about this mixed breed dog.
The Appearance of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix
“What does a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix look like?” is one of the many questions that potential dog owners may ask.
To answer this question, let’s discuss the appearance of the Shichi dog, including his size, height and weight.
If you’re asking “how big do Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix get?”, then you should know that this is a very small dog. Their weight normally ranges from 5 to 18 pounds while their height averages around 10 to 12 inches.
Even when full grown, the Shichi is still a small dog, which makes him ideal for people who love toy dogs or those who reside in apartments.
The Shichi may have pop-up ears just like his Chihuahua parent or floppy ears due to his Shih Tzu genes.
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Since the dog is so tiny, he is not likely to hurt you. However, don’t leave him alone for long periods of time as he may get bored and start chewing on your valuable shoes, furniture and anything else he comes across.
The Shichi coat comes in a variety of colors. So if you’re one of those picky dog owners, then you’re in luck.
This dog’s coat colors include black, white, gold, brown, cream or even a good blend of the various colors. White with tan patterns is the most common variety. However, coat color will be determined by your mutt’s genetic profile.
The Shih Tzu Chihuahua Behavior & Temperament
Since the Chihuahua and Shih Tzu Mix is a relatively new breed, it is important to consider the breeds that contribute to the mixed dog’s bloodline to understand his personality.
Shih Tzus have always been known to be cheerful little dogs whose main purpose is to offer constant companionship. Active and friendly, they enjoy attention and will want to spend time around you almost all the time.
Chihuahuas, on the other hand, are known for their courage, yet still make for sweet affectionate dogs that also love being the centre of attention. They are also great watchdogs.
These personality traits from each parent breed will usually balance themselves quite well in a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix.
Although we can’t make any accurate predictions about hybrids, you can expect your Chihuahua and Shih Tzu Mix temperament to be lively and playful. They will always enjoy quality playtime with their owners and will try to spend time with those close to them.
The Shichi Mix loves people and is a loyal companion. However, he can also be stubborn, but early training and socialization can help prevent such issues.
Children and Other Pets
When it comes to your Shichi’s personality and his interactions with kids, people and other pets, you can only make an informed guess on what to expect.
Shih Tzus are great with children and other animals, but they should be handled with care.
Chihuahuas, on the other hand, are tiny and fragile, so be sure to train them from a young age to help ensure they get along well with small kids.
Since your Shichi puppy is half Chihuahua and half Shih Tzu, he may or may not be dog-friendly. Shih Tzus usually get along well with other dogs, but Chihuahuas often do not.
Therefore, early training and socialization is vital to ensure that your pooch gets along well with kids, strangers and other family pets.
Tips for Training Your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix
Training small or toy dogs is usually a demanding task, particularly when it comes to housetraining.
Generally, small dogs have huge personalities with some being somewhat stubborn. Again, early training and socialization is strongly recommended.
On the other hand, both the Chihuahua and Shih Tzu are intelligent dogs, which means that they have the potential to learn fast. All you need to do is to start training early and encourage them accordingly. Additionally, keep each training session short and simple, to avoid boredom.
Training your Shichi puppy requires patience and consistency. You should not be harsh, but be sure to set clear rules and stick to them.
When your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix responds properly to various commands, praise and encourage them with treats and food rewards.
Shichi’s Exercise Requirements
Despite his small size, the Shi Chi is an energetic dog who needs around 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercises.
If possible, you should take them out for two short walks each day. However, you can also let them off the leash to give them more freedom to exercise.
Thanks to their small size, these dogs are easy to exercise and if the weather doesn’t look good, a game of fetch indoors will be sufficient for the day.
Grooming
While the Shih Tzu coat is considered to be hypoallergenic, a Shichi’s coat might not be necessarily so. And although Shichi dogs do not shed a lot, grooming may not be as easy as you may think.
You need to consider the fact that this mixed breed is half Shih Tzu and half Chihuahua. The Shih Tzu genes might give your Shichi puppy a long, fluffy and curly coat that will require regular grooming.
Chihuahuas normally have shorter coats and their shedding is moderate, but you’ll also find a long coat version of this purebred dog.
If you bring home a longhaired Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix pup, he will have more grooming demands compared to his shorthaired counterpart.
Either way, you need to comb or brush your pup’s coat two to three times each week to prevent mats and excessive shedding.
If your Shichi puppy’s coat is too long, you should cut it or have it groomed by a professional.
Ideally, you should give your Shichi a bath at least once a month. However, don’t overdo this to avoid damaging the natural oils on his skin.
Wipe his ears each week, to avoid infections, and keep his nails trimmed. You’ll also need to brush their teeth several times every week.
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Feeding Information
Apart from training and grooming, your other major responsibility is to ensure your dog is well fed.
The Shichi is a toy dog, so finding a quality dog food should be a simple task. All you need to do is to choose a reputable brand and a product that has been specifically formulated for small breeds.
Small dogs like the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix have fast metabolisms compared to much larger breeds, so not only will your new pooch need a calorie-packed and nutrient-rich diet, he will also need to be fed more frequently than a much larger dog.
Generaly, this mixed dog will need 1/2 to 1 cup of high quality dry dog food to remain healthy. Feed your Shichi three to four small portions each day, and stick to the feeding guidelines on the product package depending on his age, size, and activity level.
Make sure your puppy gets a proper diet for his day-to-day growth and development.
Also, make sure to give your dog fish oil supplements to ensure a healthy and shiny coat.
Shichi Health Issues
Since the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix is considered to be a relatively new breed, no serious health problems have been identified, or are expected.
As a superior and more advanced breed than both his parent breeds, there’s a higher chance of the mix being immune to some of the health problems that either of his parents is at risk for.
Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus are vulnerable to eye problems, obesity, hypoglycemia, ear infections and breathing problems. It is important to watch out for any signs of these conditions in your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix pup.
Also, you cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to the health of your beloved dog. To know the health condition of your dog even before the signs are obvious, we recommend using the Embark Dog DNA Test kit.
This test gives you helpful information about your dog’s health situation as well as the exact breeds in his genetic profile. So be sure to check it out.
Life Expectancy
Small breed dogs such as the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua have relatively long lifespans. The average lifespan of a Shih Tzu is around 10 to 18 years while that of the Chihuahua ranges from 12 to 20 years.
That means that their offspring, the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix, can live anywhere between 10 and 20 years.
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The Price of Chihuahua and Shih Tzu Mix Puppies
The average price of a Shih Tzu puppy is around $500 to $1000 while a Chihuahua puppy costs anywhere between $500 and $1200.
The price of a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix for sale is around $150 to $750, depending on the location and the breeders involved.
Of course, this is the average buying price of one of these adorable puppies, but you’ll also need to keep in mind that there many other costs involved in getting a new puppy, including food, collar, leash, automatic dog feeder, vet, etc.
You can find Shichi puppies for sale or adoption both online and offline, but remember to use your due diligence when it comes to choosing breeders.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a lively, friendly and charming companion dog who is adaptable to condo or apartment living, then the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix might be the perfect choice for you and your household.
This mixed breed dog combines the best characteristics of the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu breeds, but proper care and attention is important for a healthier and happier dog.
Featured Image Credit: Source