If you are looking for medium-sized dogs filled with high energy and love, then the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is just the one for you. Whether it is a long walk in the park or tiring trekking over the hill, your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will never let you down. With a people-friendly attitude, this dog will make its way into your heart using his adorable face and cheerful personality.
There are many experimental dogs around the world, but the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix or the Pitshih has stood out in all of them with its unique blend of practical actions and energy. The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix comes from a unique combination of the loyal and robust Pitbull with the loving and wise Shih Tzu.
Pitbull Shih Tzu Mix:
Here is a quick summary table that will help you know more about Pitbull Shih Tzu Mix:
| Height | 10 to 25 inches |
| Weight | 15 to 30 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Colors | black, yellow, red, and brindle |
| Intelligence | Very intelligent and can learn tricks easily |
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Not recognized by AKC |
| Temperament | Very gentle and protective, and are people-friendly |
| Daily Food Consumption | 2 to 2.5 cups per day of protein-rich dog food |
| Common Health Issues | Hip Dysplasia, Heart disease, Dental issues, Epilepsy, and intervertebral disc disease |
Facts about Pitbull Shih Tzu Mix:
Before you decide to adopt a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix, here are some facts that you need to keep in mind-
- The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix dogs are hybrid dogs and are a cross of the Shih Tzu and the Pit Bull Terrier parents, which are purebred.
- The athletic nature of these dogs makes it necessary to give your dog at least one hour-long walk every day. You also have to keep your little puppy engaged in games that simulate the mind and the body.
- The Pitshihs are black, yellow, red, and brindle in color. Sometimes they may even have a blend of these colors, depending on their parent genes.
- The Pitshihs may need the right amount of grooming if they take the Shih Tzu genes the most. You may have to give it a comb-through with a slicker brush a couple of times every week.
- These dogs are the best when it comes to their temper and remain loyal to the family. They get along with people and other animals when given the right training.
- Do not underestimate its small size and adorable nature. These dogs inherit powerful jaws from the Pitbull parent and can be very dangerous if you mess with them.
About the Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix:
The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is a sensible, protective, joyful, and loyal dog. These smart dogs inherit their adorable traits from both their parent breeds and are capable of performing tricks quickly.
The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is better known as the Pitshih. This breed of dogs is best known for their loyalty towards the family and their people-pleasing attitude. Such a nature makes them easygoing and ideal for families with small children and other pets.
The Pitshih is a friendly and joyful puppy that loves to please the owner by obeying the owner’s commands, and you will find it quite easy to train your pet. However, you need to ensure that it receives regular and continuous training to control the stubborn behavior it inherits from the Pitbull parent.
When you get your little Pitshih home, be amazed by the type of intelligence this dog shows. There are high chances your small dog may outwit you with its superintelligent moves! The only thing to watch out for is that it can start barking a lot more and get aggressive when they sense a threat. However, this dog will be very protective of you and your family.
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The appearance of the Pitbull Shih Tzu Mix::
The Pitshih inherits its personality both from the Shih Tzu and the Pit Bull. It usually gets hard to guess exactly how the offspring would look when you cross two entirely different breeds. The best guess would be to have a close look at the physical features of the parent dogs as their appearance will more likely depend on them.
A Pitshih will usually be about 10 to 25 inches tall and weigh around 15 to 30 pounds as adults. The Shih Tzu is a small puppy that is small and stocky, whereas the Pitbull is a medium-sized dog that is sturdy and muscular.
Therefore, it is difficult for us to predict the type of body that the offspring will be taking up. It is more likely that the family will take up more features of the Pitbull parent and avoid the Shih Tzu’s elongated spine.
The color of the coat of a Pitshih dog is usually dependent on the fur of the parent breeds. The Shih Tzu often comes in Black, White, Liver, Brindle, Light Brown, Dark Brown, Blue, and Gold. The Pitbull can be white, black, tan, grey, blue, fawn, or brindle in either color. Therefore the offspring is more likely to be a mix of these colors. The hair of these dogs tends to be silky and fluffy like the Shih Tzu parent but short like the Pitbull parent.
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History and Origin of The Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix:
It is not easy to track the history of a new hybrid like the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix. The Pitshih is the first generation that came about after the mixing of two completely different purebred breeds. To understand this smart canine, we will have to look into the history of the parent breeds.
The Shih Tzu dog is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Many dog lovers and designer breeders associate the Shih Tzu breed with Empress Tzu Hsi. She ruled over China from 1861 through 1908 and was favored to consider the dogs sacred. Paintings depict the Shih Tzu that date back to 2000 years ago.
Though its origin is still a matter of debate, there is evidence that the breed came from a Tibetan Temple where the Tibetan Monks offered the temple dog gifts and offerings to the emperors of China. Thus, over time, China became famous worldwide as the creator of this breed, more than Tibet.
According to historical sources, this breed moved to China from Tibet around the time of the Qing Dynasty. These dogs quickly gained popularity and were famous as the Lion Dog as the Lion symbol played a massive role in the Chinese Kingdom. As the actual Lions were not indigenous to China, the Chinese made sure that these dogs looked like a lion as much as possible.
Gradually in the reign of the Chinese empress Cixi, these dogs were very carefully bred to look like the Shih Tzu breed that we know today. These breeding centers did not flourish for long as they were destroyed after the Communist Revolution, killing most dogs. Fortunately, few of the Shih Tzu dogs managed to survive and got transported to England for their safety.
The real prosperity of these dogs started when they moved to the United States, where they experienced a boom in their popularity and breeding environment. They achieved a milestone in 1955 when the American Kennel Club accepted the dog but only as a Miscellaneous class of dogs as they were very few.
The Pitbull has a history that dates back to as early as the 1800s in the United Kingdom. The Pit Bulls that we see today have their roots going back to the Old English Bulldogs. It was unfortunate that their initial years were a part of cruel blood sports like “bull-baiting.” It was for this very reason that they were called bulldogs.
Later in 1835, the British Parliament banned this sport and stopped the cruelty. Much later, these Pitbulls crossbred with one or more types of the Pitbull Terriers that had enhanced agility and greater strength. These dogs were now having a higher drive to seek prey and were much more aggressive and agile. They arrived in the United States by the middle of the 19th century, and it was then that they received better treatment. These dogs did well as cattle dogs and protected the cattle and also caught pigs. A large number of these canines also
served as herders, companions, and even as nanny dogs.
Is the Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Good with Children?
The nature of the parent breeds of the Pitshih is very loving and protective of the family. Given the caring nature of the parent dogs, there is no doubt that the Shih Tzu Pitbull is the perfect family-friendly dog and has a beautiful temperament around children and other animals. They easily adjust to any type of family setting, especially when they are well socialized.
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Care of The Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix:
Food and Nutrition Requirements:
The Pitshih is naturally prone to certain obesity levels when it gets excessive feeding. So you have to ensure that your pet receives only a limited amount of food that is enough for its energy requirements. Ideally, a diet that suits a medium-sized dog should suffice for your dog.
Moreover, you need to keep in mind the age of the dog and consult a vet before deciding on a diet plan for your little one. Make sure you do not leave unattended food around your puppy as it may overheat.
An ideal diet for a dog is rich in nutrition like minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. You have to understand that a growing puppy like a Pitshih will need the right amount of protein and calories that helps in fast growth. However, not all calorie-rich foods are nutritious.
Ensure that you make notes of the ingredients and nutritional value of the dog food before deciding on its diet. For a small puppy, you may have to feed it about 3 to 4 times a day. A grown-up dog may just need nutritious food about twice a day. The best type of food would be raw, premium, or homemade dog food, whichever best suits the best for your little canine. Homemade meals have had the best results when it comes to fueling a dog’s growth.
Exercise Requirements:
A medium-sized dog like a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix would need exercise levels depending on its age. Although it usually requires about 30 to 60 minutes of walk every day. It comes from a family of Pitbull dogs, known for their high energy levels. It is quite natural for your puppy to have similar energetic behavior and the urge to play around.
However, in the Shih Tzu family, your puppy may often suffer from having spines that are too long to give support to their legs sufficiently. To ensure that the exercise regime you decide for your dog is not too intense, it can lead to further health issues like back pain or even severe paralysis.
You need to observe your puppy’s characteristics. If it has a flat face like that of the Shi Tzu, then it is at a higher risk of being brachycephalic, and you should not let it swim as it could drown. Your puppy may also face difficulty in breathing, so ensure that it does not undergo heavy exercises. You may also reduce the use on hot days to prevent your dog from overheating and dehydration.
Such breathing problems also mean that Shih Tzu mixes should not be on leashes that are tight and go around the neck. Instead, you can attach the strap to a comfortable harness that goes around the body.
Training Requirements:
The Pitshih is an adorable canine that will protect your family from all dangers. They inherit smartness and a people-friendly attitude from their parent dogs. With early training in its formative years, you will have a friendly and loyal puppy. Here are some things that you may want to follow to train your little companion:
- Potty Training – The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix often has a stubborn nature due to its Pitbull genes and can be hard to train. One such training is Potty training. If your puppy is untrained, it may take you a little while to get it on the track. If you get a pup that hasn’t already been potty trained, you may want to restrict its access to the rooms with carpets and other delicate furniture.
- Crate Training – You have to make your dog feel comfortable about being in a crate. Such training will reduce the risk of anxiety due to separation and keep the house neat and clean.
- Socializing – Socialization is a necessary part of training your little puppy as it will help your dog get used to being around animals and people, making them suitable companions. This training involves helping them handle and have sensory stimuli of being around people during their early formative weeks.
Grooming Requirements:
Dogs are usually not used to the grooming process. You must help your puppy get used to touching and grooming right from its formative years. Also, these sessions help you create a great bond with your canine as you get to spend a reasonable amount of time with them.
The amount and frequency of grooming that your puppy will need depend on which parent genes it inherits the most. Your puppy’s coat will be harder to maintain if it takes on more of the Shih Tzu’s genes as their skins are much longer and silkier. Thus, you may have to comb through its hair with a slicker brush a couple of times every week. You can also brush your puppy once a day when it is the shedding season.
When it comes to bathing, there may not be a specific routine to follow for your puppy. All you need to do is take care of its cleanliness and help it with a good shampoo bath when you feel that your dog has got slightly dirtier than usual.
You need to check your dog’s ears regularly for debris and make sure they are clean. You may also follow a routine recommended by your vet when it comes to brushing their teeth or trimming their nails. However, it is best to brush its teeth about once or twice every week.
We have covered different pitbull mixes like Shih Tzu pitbull mix, Pitbull Poodle mix, Great Dane Pitbull Mix, blue heeler pitbull mix, Border Collie Pitbull Mix& Pomeranian Pitbull Mix
Health issues of Pitbull Shih Tzu Mix::
Your puppy comes from the Shih Tzu and the American Pit Bull Terrier family, and it is natural for it to have the same health conditions that the parent breeds have. It is better to have prior knowledge of these health issues to avoid such hassles in the future.
The Pitbull parent has a lifespan of 8 to 14 years, while the Shih Tzu has a lifespan of 10 to 16 years. It is natural for your Pitbull Shih Tzu mix puppy to have a similar amount of lifespan. Unfortunately, this breed is prone to having some serious health issues.
Your little canine may be at risk of having a structural health issue that comes from the Shih Tzu’s short legs. Even though they look adorable and cute with their little paws, they are at a higher risk of suffering from extremely severe joint and spinal issues, like hip and elbow dysplasia. This health issue is a condition where the bones do not develop in the way they usually do. This issue is also a reason for painful arthritis at a young age in your dog.
It is also worth regularly checking for hypothyroidism, paralysis, heart issues, allergies, and eye problems. It is best to follow your vet’s vaccination schedule to stay on top of any problems that may arise.
Final Thoughts on the Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix:
To summarize, the Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix is the perfect little companion for you and your family. With the right amount of regular training, this dog will be everything you want. However, the affectionate temperament that it has means that it would require a lot of love and attention, so you may want to get one only if you have the time for it.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.