Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix: 6 Facts About Shichi

What are some of the interesting things to know about the ShiChi?

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix makes a lively, loyal, and playful pet. These two small dog breeds make a special cuddle companion that would want to sit on your lap anytime, every time. Even though the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix or ShiChi is small in size, their personality packs a punch.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua

The Shih Tzu is known for its outgoing and spunky nature, and so is the Chihuahua. You possibly could not find a much better breed combination as their qualities and personalities are quite alike. These toy dogs are bred mainly for companionship, although with their loud, incessant barking, you would think they were bred to be guard dogs!

Like a lot of toy breeds, the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is ideal for first-time pet owners. Their size makes them the right fit for a family with kids or a tiny apartment roommate. ShiChis adapt well in nearly every environment because they don’t need a lot of space. They would want to be always near you and the entire family, but they are likely to pick their favorite family member!

History of the Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix

Unfortunately, there aren’t any records to show who created the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix, but it is plausible that they were cross-bred in the late 21st century or even in the early 2000s. Forming consistency with the breeds health, behavior, characteristics, and temperament are tough to work with any mixed breed dogs, but it is even more difficult if they are a fairly recent cross-breed without any valid paperwork.

Appearance & Grooming

If your Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix has a short coat, then grooming wouldn’t be a problem. Nonetheless, it is still important to brush it once a week to keep their coat neat. The closer your Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix’s coat is to their Shih Tzu parent, the more likely you will need to brush them every day to remove any mats, tangles, or clumps.

The Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix could also have a long coat. Suppose your fur baby has this kind of coat, then you should give them a bath at least once every month while grooming them regularly, as well. Their nails must be clipped too, and cleaning their ears should likewise be a part of their grooming routine. Watch out for discharge, foul odor, or inflammation. You should also brush their teeth at least twice every week so they won’t need to visit the doggy dentist every so often. The color of their coat could range from white, gray, to black and everything in between. Checkout their parents to predict what their puppy litter would most likely look like.

Training

Don’t ever make the serious mistake of not properly training a toy dog. Toy dogs, like the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix, still require just as much training and care as big dogs and need to be trained and socialized early, so you don’t have to restrain them from barking at every person they see. Even if your pup is well-mannered, full of energy, and playful, keep in mind that you still need to care for them just like any dog.

Any toy dog has to be housebroken since small dogs have relatively smaller bladders. They might be difficult to train initially, though. A lot of accidents are bound to happen overnight when they are just puppies.
This does not mean, however, that they could not be trained.

A Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix just needs a little bit of nudge and ego-stroking by giving them treats and praises when they do something right. If you praise or reward them for positive behavior or action, they’ll quickly want to do it again to get your attention.

Living Conditions and Exercise

Apartments are ideal homes for the tiny Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix since they need little space and nearly no exercise. Yes, you read that right. You do not need to take your Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix for a walk every day. Playing with them by running around the room or tossing the ball for 30 minutes would be enough to satisfy their physical exercise needs. Play is the ShiChis most favorite form of exercise, so play with your fur baby to your heart’s delight!

The ShihChis are indoor pets and therefore should not be left alone for prolonged periods. They have awful separation anxiety, and they would prefer to go with you on your errands or shopping trips.

We couldn’t emphasize enough the significance of proper training, as poorly trained toy dogs could have “small dog syndrome,” which is seen in smaller dogs that are not socialized or trained properly. Since the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is uncomplicated to train with positive reinforcement and lots of treats, this is improbable to happen, as long as you have the eagerness and the patience to train them regularly on a daily basis.

Health

Like the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix, toy breeds are generally healthy, but they tend to be at risk of hypoglycemia more than the average-sized pup. This occurs when you do not feed your pup enough. You would likely tend to feed them less because of their small size, but because they are hyperactive, they spend their energy very quickly.

This could be improved if you feed them in smaller portions several times a day. Nevertheless, make sure that you consult the vet once your Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix pup reaches adulthood, so he or she could determine your dog’s appropriate calorie needs.

Nutrition

Because ShiChis are small, they don’t have high-calorie needs. Veterinarians would recommend around 140 to 320 calories of high-quality protein-rich dog food daily. Take note of your Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix’s activity levels, since the more they like to play and exercise, the more they would need to and want to eat. Generally, at least half a cup up to a cup of food daily is recommended for a Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix. 

Final Thoughts

If you want a jolly little fur baby who constantly wants your attention, affection, and love, then look no further than the Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix. These adorable toy-sized pets are ideal for people who have not owned a pet dog before, as they need little training and hardly any exercise.