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Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix:  A Tiny Dog With a Big Heart

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix     |Published 08-14-2020

We’re all a sucker for a cute, fluffy, tiny dog that can sit in our lap and snuggle with us. Perhaps it soothes our own ego to feel the unconditional love and cuddles from a little puppy? All of that loyalty, wrapped in a soft, warm package that follows us around the house all day, is a perfect companion indeed! The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is just this sort of tiny dog. Now, let us learn about the amazing facts about the Shih Tzu chihuahua mix.

Both breeds are popular in their own right, but they are very different. We’d like to point out and celebrate their differences and their similarities so that you can see what makes the Shih Chi such a wonderful mix of two distinctively different breeds.

The Shih Tzu In the Mix

The Shih Tzu is a Chinese breed which comes from a royal background. Initially, this regal little dog was a palace pet. His job was nothing more than companionship to the royals who occupied the palace.

Sitting in your lap was his only real job, and oh, can he do this well. The Shih Tzu, to this day, prefers to be a lap dog. He’s small, weighing in at 9-16 pounds.

He is also one of the longest living breeds of dogs, often living as long as 18 years of age. They have a long flowing coat of fur that requires regular brushing to avoid tangles and matting. You will also need to have a Shih Tzu trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, or his hair will grow to the floor and over his eyes.

He’s got a wonderful personality and is known for being a bit mischievous. He will often have you doubled over in laughter as a puppy, and the adult Shih Tzu will also have a knack for getting you to crack a smile.

Few dogs are as gorgeous. The Shih Tzu does require a little extra attention to his coat of fur, but he doesn’t shed the way that other dogs do. In fact, he typically only sheds following a bath or grooming. Most owners opt to keep them clipped in a ‘puppy cut’ that keeps the fur short and manageable.

The Chihuahua In the Mix

This is a dog that can easily weight under five pounds. What he lacks in weight, he makes up for in personality. In fact, the Chihuahua has a reputation for thinking he’s a 100-pound dog in a 5-pound body. He is quite a watchdog and very sturdy. He may be small, but he is mighty.

This little fighter was born and bred to chase and kill small vermin. Hailing from Mexico and named for the Chihuahua region of that country, the Chihuahua, like the Shih Tzu, can come in many different colors. Still, in stark contrast, he has a very short, thin coat of fur.

A Chihuahua barely needs to be brushed or groomed. A warm bath on rare occasions is good enough for this little dog. Be careful to not bathe him in cold water. They tend to get cold very quickly, and dogs that are so tiny have a challenging time regulating their body temperature and warming back up. In cold weather, he’ll appreciate a sweater or a coat to wear.

Chihuahuas are great little dogs that will alert you to danger and trespassers. They are prized for being good watchdogs in Mexico.  They also have an amazing ability to kill rats which are a problem in areas where there is no regular garbage pickup.

A Chihuahua can live as long as 14 to 16 years, and he comes in two coat types -- smooth coat or long coat. The long coat is not difficult to maintain with regular brushing, and other than some trims for uniformity doesn’t need excessive grooming or cutting.

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

This perfect blend of small dog will be 9 to 16 pounds. Perfect for a lap dog. He is a perfect blend of small dogs that love to be with you and occupy your lap.

This mix is often referred to as the ShiChi, and they most often have a medium length to long-haired coat. He won’t shed a ton, but he will shed a little.

This little dog will follow you around, prefer being in your company, live a very long time as long as he stays away from health problems, and entertain your entire family with a happy heart.

Standing less than twelve inches tall, they’re the perfect apartment dog. You’ll want to work on training them from the earliest opportunity because they can become barkers, thanks to the watchdog in the Chihuahua.

Overall, this is a great dog for anyone who wants a companion pet to cuddle with. This is the one for you. 

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix:  Pin for Future Reference

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