The Shih-poo is a small domestic dog. It is a cross between a Poodle and a Shih Tzu. The name Shih-poo is a portmanteau of the two breed names. This type of dog is also known as the Pooshih.
Appearance
The Shih-poo takes characteristics from both of its parents, and the appearance of Shih-poos will vary. Size, for example, will depend on whether the Poodle parent is a toy or not. In general the Shih-poo is long coated, since both the Poodle and the Shih-Tzu have a long coat, but its coat texture can be Shih Tzu straight, Poodle curly, or somewhere in between. Shih-poos can be any color or color combination in the ancestry of either parent. Since the Shih-poo is a mixed breed it is not recognized by any major kennel club in the U.S.
The Shih-poo is one of many named Poodle crossbreeds, bred in an attempt to combine the characteristics of the Poodle, such as its high intelligence and low-shed coat, with the desirable traits of another breed (in this case, the Shih Tzu). However, it is equally likely that undesirable traits from the parents will be produced as well, so puppies must be carefully selected.[3] Some Shih-poo may have a longer, more Poodle-like muzzle than their Shih-Tzu parent, alleviating many breathing problems that Shih-Tzu can experience.
There are several hybrid specific registries that register hybrid / designer cross puppies from purebred parents. However, these registries are not recognized by legitimate kennel clubs or reputable breeders of purebred dogs.