Shihpoo characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | Low | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | Low | 26% of breeds |
| Barking | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Medium | 38% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 13 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Shihpoo right for you?
The Shihpoo is a small dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. In terms of temperament, it is very good with children and makes a dependable family dog and will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive. Day to day, the Shihpoo needs light but regular activity to stay content, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Shihpoo needs light but regular activity to stay content. With low energy and low athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Shihpoo to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Shihpoo requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and sheds very little. It is considered hypoallergenic, which — combined with its low shedding — makes it one of the easier breeds to live with for allergy sufferers.
Temperament and training
The Shihpoo picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice and gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it. It tolerates being left alone for a normal working stretch if eased into it, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Shihpoo
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Shihpoo genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Athleticism: Low — the Shihpoo is less athletic than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Energy: Low — the Shihpoo needs less exercise than most breeds. Only 11% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: High — the Shihpoo needs more grooming than most breeds. Only 20% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Shihpoo actually costs you
| Exercise | Short daily walks are enough; it will not push you for more. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Manages a normal working day if it is properly exercised and left something to do. |
| Noise | Average for a dog — it will bark at the door and at things it dislikes. |
Where the Shihpoo fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | Low energy and medium barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Low prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Depends | Medium independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | Recorded as a low-allergen coat. No dog is truly hypoallergenic — meet the individual dog before deciding. |
Guides the Shihpoo is ranked in
The Shihpoo earns a place on 6 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Apartment living
- Calm households
- Senior owners
- Small families
Things to consider
- Variable traits
- Regular grooming needed
- Can be stubborn
- Eye care important
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Shihpoo good with children?
- Yes — the Shihpoo is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Shihpoo shed a lot?
- The Shihpoo has low shedding and is considered hypoallergenic.
- How much exercise does the Shihpoo need?
- With low energy, the Shihpoo needs relatively little exercise — short daily walks are usually enough.
- How long does the Shihpoo live?
- The Shihpoo typically lives around 13 years.
- Can the Shihpoo live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Shihpoo is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Shihpoo easy to train?
- The Shihpoo picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Shihpoo be left alone during the day?
- The Shihpoo tolerates being left alone for a normal working stretch if eased into it. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.