Dogs & Puppies Dog Breeds 10 Shih Tzu Mixes Who Will Make Your Heart Skip a Beat When you fall in love with all the lap-lovin’ poochies on this list, don’t say we didn’t warn you! By Tracey L. Kelley Tracey L. Kelley After loving 19 cats, 11 dogs, and a canary, Tracey married someone allergic to all those creatures. Thankfully, she receives oodles of animal goodness sharing stories on Daily Paws! When not traveling, teaching yoga, or doing voiceover projects, she's an editorial strategist and developer for print, digital, and multimedia platforms. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on December 9, 2021 Photo: Courtesy of lemony_cricket1513 / Instagram It's easy to shimmy with delight when you spot a fluffy sweet-faced shih tzu rollicking toward you for cuddles. There might also be squeals of glee. In fact, we're almost certain of it! So just imagine the double dose of snuggly goodness shih tzu mixes have to offer, as each pet parent is more adorable than the next. Shih tzus are: cute—check. Charming—check check. Loyal—all the checks! However, mixed breed dogs, sometimes called crossbreeds or hybrid breeds, can't be selected on these qualities alone. Your dedication to their health and wellbeing starts with digging up clues on both parent breeds. 01 of 11 Choosing the Right Shih Tzu Mix No matter how high crossbreeds rank on the adorable meter, you'll enjoy a more robust, happy pup for many years if you evaluate qualified breeders first for at least a couple of months before giving your heart away. Patrick Singletary, DVM, owns Good Dog Veterinary Care in Marietta, Ga. He tells Daily Paws this is especially true for hybrid breeds because they're in such high demand. "Responsible dog owners should also help prevent puppy mills by devoting copious time to researching the lines of the dogs they desire and interviewing the right breeder to work with," he says. Additionally, arrange for a veterinary consultation prior to choosing your new pet to understand what dogs inherit from their parents. You know how important this is in your human family? It's exactly the same for dogs. "When I'm talking to a client about what to watch for when their shih tzu mix grows up, I'm generally discussing both breeds with them," Singletary says. "We don't have a way to predict what genes will be passed along to the offspring." But if the pups below are any indication of the possibilities, we have high hopes. 02 of 11 Shih-poo (Shih Tzu Poodle Mix) noexcuseG / Shutterstock Poodles of all sizes are popular crossbreed parents because they might provide some hypoallergenic benefits. The gentle-natured shih-poo will likely receive other goodies from her toy poodle mom or pop, too: spunk and smarts top the list. While always willing to warm your lap, this pup also loves to frolic and tour the neighborhood. 03 of 11 ShiChi (Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix) Courtesy of tobi.biskit / Instagram Want to be simply adored by your dog? A shichi will excel in that role for a long time, as both shih tzus and Chihuahuas are some of the longest-living dog breeds: 10–18 years! Honestly, we're not sure if even that's enough time to enjoy all a shichi's cheeky personality, contagious verve, and repeated wins at puzzle games. 04 of 11 Shorkie (Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix) Courtesy of daisy.maetheshorkie / Instagram Shorkies are huggable fluffball offspring of Yorkshire terriers and shih tzus. Like most toy dog breeds, they're completely captivating, ready in an instant with playful antics and spirited attention. 'Tho the shorkie be tiny, she be mighty, so keep her engaged with positive reinforcement training to enhance her best qualities and make her feel secure. 05 of 11 Malshi (Maltese Shih Tzu Mix) Courtesy of dash.daisy_malshi / Instagram A Malshi is truly a people-pleasin' pup, accustomed to the adoration of ancient Greeks from the Maltese branch of his family tree and Chinese emperors from the other. Doting and perky, his overflowing bucket of puppy love extends to children, retirees—even cats! Although he's low-shedding, you'll want to brush his silky fur daily. 06 of 11 Shiranian (Shih Tzu Pomeranian Mix) Courtesy of lemony_cricket1513 / Instagram The Pomeranian shih tzu mix has numerous nom de plumes, such as shiranian, shihpom, and our favorite, Pomtzu. Confident and alert, these joyful pixies relish showing off dog toys and sashaying down the sidewalk in snazzy sweaters. They also appreciate some quiet time (as long as you're not too far away) to nap in the sun. 07 of 11 Zuchon (Shih Tzu Bichon Frise Mix) Courtesy of run.ralphi.run / Instagram It's unlikely you'll ever want to be anywhere without your affectionate zuchon (also called a shichon), and that suits her fine. This silly love muppet with Bichon Frise genes is the perfect dog for apartment dwellers and never runs out of kisses. But she's zippy! Make sure to play in a fenced-in yard so she doesn't scamper off. 08 of 11 Pug-Zu (Shih Tzu Pug Mix) Courtesy of blair_the_pugzu / Instagram An impish little spark plug, the pug-zu or shug might be the rebel of small dogs (is there such a thing?) as charming pugs will do anything to get your attention. While they don't need a lot of exercise, keep them entertained with interactive toys. Also ask your vet for a plan to ensure the best health for this special brachycephalic breed. 09 of 11 Schnau-Tzu (Schnauzer Shih Tzu Mix) Courtesy of fabiogerken / Instagram Don't let those 'old man' whiskers around a totally boopable snout fool you: the heart of a schnau-tzu is lively and ready for action! Experienced dog owners appreciate the brilliance of miniature schnauzers and understand why their descendants need a good romp and engaging tricks each day. But of course there will be snuggles later. 10 of 11 Schweenie (Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix) Courtesy of dirkjantreffers / Instagram Sound the alarm—oh wait, the vigilant dachshund will do it for you! Yes, they often bark to notify you about a person at the door or a leaf on the patio, so your sweet and frisky schweenie might be a bit vocal, too. But they're quick to pick up desired behaviors when you train them with treats, and never hesitate to share devotion with everyone they meet. 11 of 11 Havashu (Havanese Shih Tzu Mix) Courtesy of ellie.the.havashu / Instagram The lovely Cuban Havanese is the cover model for glamorous long-haired dog breeds, so you, your Havashu, and your groomer will become great friends! She's also an ideal choice for a therapy dog, as her bright mind, attentiveness, and sensitive nature seem to be a terrific doggie antidote for ailing humans. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit