Shih Poo Lifespan Guide – How Long Do Shih Poos Live?

The Shih Poo (AKA Shoodle) is a cross breed between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle. As it is a mixed breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Shih Poos keep reading this article to find exactly how long Shih Poos are expected to live for.

Table of Contents

How Long Do Shih Poos Live?

The average Shih Poo lives for 12 to 17 years so they have one of the longest life expectancies of all Poodle mix breeds. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Shih Poo including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. You can give your Shih Poo the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Shih Poo Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Shih Poo. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Teacup, Toy, Mini or Standard)
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Shih Poo Lifespan

The size of a Shih Poo has some impact upon their lifespan. Teacup and Toy Shih Poos generally have the shortest life expectancy as they often suffer from size related health issues. Standard Shih Poos generally live the longest.

Size	Price
Teacup Shih Poo	10 to 12 years.
Toy Shih Poo	10 to 12 years.
Standard Shih Poo	12 to 17 years.

Teacup Shih Poo Lifespan

Teacup Shih Poos live for 10 to 12 years. While it is a general rule that a smaller dog has a longer life span, this does not apply to Teacup breeds as they unfortunately suffer from many health issues due their tiny size. That is why Teacup Shih Poos have a shorter lifespan than Standard Shih Poos.

Toy Shih Poo Lifespan

Toy Shih Poos live for 10 to 12 years. They have the same life expectancy as Teacup Shih Poos as they are actually the same size dog. ‘Toy’ is just a different name for ‘Teacup’ for Shih Poos.

Standard Shih Poo Lifespan

Standard Shih Poos have a lifespan of 12 to 17 years. They have the longest lifespan of all Shih Poo sizes as they are generally the healthiest size. Nevertheless, there are other factors that affect their lifespan such as gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. Standard Shih Poos have such a long life expectancy as Shih Tzus usually live to really old ages.

How Generation Affects Shih Poo Lifespan

Generation	Lifespan
F1 Shih Poo	12 to 17 years.
F1b Shih Poo	12 to 17 years.
F2 Shih Poo	12 to 16 years.

Cross breed dogs such as Shih Poos are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have longer lifespans. Nevertheless, with each successive generation (first to second to third), the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases so later generations of Shih Poo (e.g. F2, F3 etc.) may not live as long as first generation Shih Poos.

apricot shih poo — Shih Poo via @littodooboo

Female vs Male Shih Poo Lifespan

Female Shih Poos usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Shih Poos. This is especially the case for desexed female Shih Poos. Nevertheless, gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan for dogs. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Shih Poo Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Shih Poos live slightly longer than intact Shih Poos. It is thought that desexed Shih Poos live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Shih Poo Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Shih Poo’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Shih Poo starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Shih Poo during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Shih Poos may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Shih Poo is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Shih Poo is a teenager.

During this period, your Shih Poo will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Shih Poos will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Shih Poos love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Extending The Lifespan Of A Shih Poo

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Shih Poo a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Shih Poo food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Are Bernedoodles Hypoallergenic? (Ultimate Guide)

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Shih Poo is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Shih Poos need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Shih Poo out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Shih Poo into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Shih Poo is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Shih Poo should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Shih Poo as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Shih Poo is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Shih Poos.

Shih Poos have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Shih Poo gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Shih Poo to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Shih Poo’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Shih Poo

As your Shih Poo gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Shih Poo finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Shih Poo has joint issues to ease the pain.