Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix: A Loyal, Playful Toy Dog

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix, or Shichi, is a toy dog with a plus sized personality. They are around 10 inches high and weigh up to 15lbs. This hybrid designer dog is loyal, confident, tenacious and loving. It combines the energetic, playful Shih Tzu with the sassy Chihuahua. Chihuahua Shih Tzu mixes have deep eyes, medium to long coats, loving faces and sturdy bodies. Although they are very affectionate to their families, they can also be great watchdogs and even protective guard dogs. Despite being on a lapdog, apartment pet sized scale! Today we’ll look at the breed traits, characteristics, personalities and coat types that go into the cute Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix. We’ll share how to find healthy, happy Shichi puppies

Contents

• What is a Shichi?
• What do Shih Tzu Chihuahua mixes look like?
• Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix grooming and shedding
• How big are Shihchi dogs?
• Are Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix dogs friendly?
• Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix puppies

The vocal little Shichi is prone to barking, but this dog is also smart and trainable. That means that using positive reinforcement of their quieter periods of time, you can help them to learn to sound off less often! Although energetic, they don’t need a huge amount of exercise and can have some health problems that make over heating and breathing issues a potential problem.

Where Does the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Come From?

When two different purebred dogs like the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua are bred together the result is referred to as a hybrid breed or designer dog. They are a recent mix and as such we need to delve into the history of the parent breeds to learn more about their origins.

Born to the lap of luxury, the Shih Tzu was developed in the palace of the Chinese Emperor centuries ago. These regal lap dogs are thought to be the result of crossing the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese.

The Chihuahua is thought to be a smaller version of the Techichi of the Toltec civilization. The exact ancestry of the world’s smallest recognized dog breed is a little cloudy. But there’s no debate that they’re closely associated with the Mexican State of Chihuahua, from which they get their name.

Fun Facts!

• The name Shih Tzu translates to “lion dog.”
• The breed almost disappeared during the first half of the 20th century.
• Today the lineage of all Shih Tzus can be traced back to just 7 male and 7 female Shih Tzus.
• The breed is more than 1,000 years old.
• Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot on the top of their skull called a molera.
• The smallest living dog is a Chihuahua named Milly who stands just 3.8 inches tall.
• Chihuahuas have the biggest brains of all dog breeds in relation to their size.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Appearance

Like any hybrid, the appearance of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix can vary depending upon which parent they take after. Puppies could resemble a tinier Shih Tzu with a shorter coat or a larger Chihuahua with long, flowing tresses.

Colors include black, brown, white, cream, tan, black & white, or brown & white. They usually have a round face with ears that can pop-up like the Chihuahua’s or be floppy like the Shih Tzu’s.

Grooming a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

The coat of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua can be short, medium or long, or perhaps a mix, so grooming requirements will depend upon which parent they favor.

A longer coat will tend to be wavy and need to be brushed daily, for shorter coats, two to three brushings a week should suffice.

Neither the Shih Tzu nor the Chihuahua sheds much.

Pay close attention to their teeth, eyes, and ears Their teeth should be brushed daily, ears should have excess wax or debris removed to avoid ear infections. And the corners of the eyes should be gently cleaned with a damp cloth.

Shichi Size

Shichis tend to stand no more than 10 inches tall and weigh between 5 and 16 pounds.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Temperament

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix will be bold, confident and independent. Although affectionate they will want to spend time together on their own terms. They are smart, sassy dogs with a spirited and lively charming personality.

However, each dog has its own personality, and when you factor in the traits of two different breeds, the outcome is quite variable. Both the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua are very loyal and adore being the center of attention. Each of these dogs also has a spirted side and snapping and growling is not uncommon for either breed.

Are Chihuahua Mixes Aggressive?

Don’t let their size fool you, Chihuahuas can be aggressive. This trait can be passed on to their mix breed puppies, but can also be avoided through picking a puppy with a friendly Chihuahua parent.

Early socialization is important for the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix as they tend to be lively and excitable.

Are Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mixes Good with Kids?

This is not the ideal breed to have around young children. The Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix is small and delicate and needs to be handled with care as they can be easily injured if accidentally dropped or stepped on.

Training your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

Potty training is one of the first things you’ll want your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix to learn. Unfortunately, both parent breeds have a reputation for being tough to potty train, so start establishing a daily routine right away for the best results.

The feisty little Chihuahua needs training as it also has a tendency for guarding and barking. To avoid barking while you’re away, consider crate training. If they become comfortable in their crate, it will reduce barking that results from separation anxiety.

The Shih Tzu can be a charmer, and it’s easy to let him have his way. Early socialization and positive reinforcement training that uses rewards to encourage good behaviors is the best way to get a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix to do what you want.

Exercise

The Shichi is a house companion who will require short daily walks and some regular indoor or outdoor playtime.

Avoid overexerting a little dog. If he’s panting to keep up when you’re out for a walk, pick him up and carry him home.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Health

Although all purebred dog breeds come with certain health concerns, these two little dogs each have more than their share of serious health problems to contend with.

The Shih Tzu is prone to serious conformation-related problems. They’re considered a brachycephalic breed, which means that their adorable flat face causes them some serious breathing issues. The disproportion of a long back and short legs also makes them prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease, a serious and painful condition. The Shih Tzu is also at risk for a long list of eye problems including:

• Corneal ulcers
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Retinal detachment
• Third eyelid gland prolapse

For a little dog the Chihuahua has some big potential health problems and many are associated with their size. Tooth decay and gum disease are a problem because their teeth don’t have enough room in their tiny mouths. Daily teeth brushing, limiting sugar consumption, and regular dental checkups are a must for the Chihuahua. They are also prone to:

• Glaucoma
• Nectrozing meningoencephalitis
• Epilepsy
• Patellar luxation
• Heart disease
• Tracheal collapse.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Lifespan

Small dog breeds tend to live longer than large dogs, and mixes have a better average lifespan than purebred dogs. The Shih Tzu has a lifespan of 10 to 18 years and the Chihuahua has a lifespan of 14 to 16 years. So you can hope for your Shichi to live well into their teens!

Feeding Your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix will do well on a high quality dog food that’s appropriate to their age. Small dogs like the Shih Tzu and the Chihuahua are prone to obesity, so watch their calorie consumption, including treats.

Being excessively overweight can lead to heart disease and diabetes, increases wear and tear on their joints, and can shorten their lifespan.

The best food for Shih Tzu and Chihuahua puppies is high in protein and low in carbs.

Do Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mixes Make Good Family Dogs?

Due to the numerous structural defects and health concerns that both parent breeds are susceptible to, we regrettably cannot recommend the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix. For this reason we suggest you consider rescuing an adult dog from a shelter rather than buying a puppy.

Cons:

• Both parent breeds have a risk of numerous health concerns that can be passed along to their offspring
• Can be temperamental

Pros:

• They make loyal companions
• Don’t require much in the way of exercise.

Rescuing a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

Rescuing a dog from a shelter will not only give a dog a second chance, it also gives you the opportunity to see exactly what kind of dog you’re getting. It also means you are not supporting puppy mills.

Finding a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix puppy

If you do decide to get a puppy, never buy one from a pet store as almost all of these dogs come from puppy mills. These are large breeding facilities that care far more about profits than the well-being of the animals.

It’s not uncommon for these puppies to be born into overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and receive little to no veterinary care. The huge popularity of mixed and miniature breeds has only increased the incidence of these horrendous breeding factories.

Avoid the tiniest dogs or breeders who advertise “teacup” puppies. Find a reputable breeder who does genetic health screenings on all of their breeding stock to produce puppies who are as healthy as possible. This puppy search article is a step-by-step guide to finding the puppy that’s right for you.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Products and Accessories

These brushes were made for taming the high maintenance fur of the Shih Tzu.

Chihuahuas can be prone to dry skin and other skin problems. This shampoo is formulated to keep their coat and skin in top condition and smelling sweet.

The tiny Chihuahua is vulnerable to the cold. Check out these fabulous fashions that will keep them warm and stylish.

   

A harness designed for a Chihuahua will remove pressure on their delicate windpipe and also make it hard for them to slip out of it.

Similar Breed Mixes and Breeds

There are a lot of Chihuahua mixes around at the moment.

But you don’t need a Chihuahua to find a great dog.

Here are some small dogs with a healthier conformation that you might want to consider:

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix 
• Papillion 

Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Rescues

This is a growing list of Shih Tzu and Chihuahua rescue organizations.

Post your organizations details in the comments box below if you would like us to add you to the list.

• Shih Tzu Rescue 
• Shih Tzu Action Rescue 
• Canada Shih Tzu Rescue 
• New Beginnings Shih Tzu Rescue
• Chihuahua Rescue UK 
• Chihuahua Rescue Australia 
• Canadian Chihuahua Rescue and Transport 
• Chihuahua Rescue and Transport.

Is a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix Right For Me?

Although the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix has a lot in the way of looks and personality to recommend them, this is definitely a mixed breed who will require a lot of special care.

Whether you decide on a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix or another small breed, think about adopting from a shelter.

Not only will you know exactly what you’re getting in terms of size, appearance, and temperament, you’ll also be saving the life of a dog.

Do you own a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix? We’d love to hear about him or her in the comments below!

References and resources

• Duffy et al., 2008. “Breed differences in canine aggression,”  Applied Animal Behavior Science.
• Emmerson, T. 2014. “Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: a growing problem,”  Journal of Small Animal Practice.
• Itoh et al. 2008, “A Retrospective Study of Intervertebral Disc Herniation in Dogs in Japan: 297 Cases,” Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.
• Christmas, RE, 1992. “Common ocular problems of Shin Tzu dogs,”  The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
• Capík, I., 2010. “Periodontal Health vs. Various Preventive Means in Toy Dog Breeds,”  Acta Vet. Brno.
• Kanemaki et al. 2013, “Dogs and Humans Share a Common Susceptibility Gene SRBD1 for Glaucoma Risk,”  PLOS One.