Small and sweet: a look at the shih tzu chihuahua mix

If you’re into small dogs, a Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix may be the ultimate expression of size and cuteness. But while the look of the so-called Shi Chi can warm your heart, there are several things you should know about the designer dog before you bring one into your home.

An Overview of the Shi Chi

While there’s not a pinpointed origin date for the Shi Chi – something that`s usually the case with designer dogs – it`s thought that the breed was first developed within the last ten years. Considering the hybrid`s small dog bloodline, it`s fair to say the reason these pooches came to be is to pull on the heartstrings of small doggie aficionados.

They do indeed pull, and rather effortlessly. Physically, these little guys strike an ideal balance between both breeds, which ends up giving them a broader range of size that you may think. While they average 10 to 12 inches in length, a Shi Chi can be as tiny as 5 pounds or as “large” as 18 pounds.

The Shi Chi will typically wear a coat that borrows heavily from the parental breeds’ DNA. Their undercoats tend to be short like a Chihuahuas, while their topcoat is usually wavy, soft, and medium to long in length. That said, it is possible to get a Shi Chi whose coat leans closer to one breed.

The Shi Chi’s coat also comes in a wide range of colors. While a white base with tan markings is the most common hue, it’s completely possible to have cream, black, or brown hues manifest. The coloring will be determined by parental-breed related genetic influence.

Genetic influence also plays a role in determining the dog’s facial features. The designer dog can have pointy, erect ears like a Chihuahua, or they can have floppy hanging ears like a Shih Tzu. The head itself tends to be the one part of the dog that has a strong breed-specific influence, as they tend to have a rounder head like a Chihuahua.

What’s a Shi Chi Like?

Because the Shi Chi is a newer dog, it’s important that you take a look at the breeds that make up the hybrid’s bloodline to get a bead on its personality. Fortunately, the two breeds that make up the Shi Chi have quite a few common traits, which may make it easier to determine personality.

The Shih-Tzu is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with its origins tracing back to China or Tibet. The breed has always been considered to be a happy little doggie whose main goal is to provide constant companionship. Lively and friendly, they love to be loved, and will try to spend as much time with you as possible.

Chihuahuas are famous for their bravado, which is somewhat fueled by their uncanny knack for thinking they’re much bigger than they actually are. When they lower their defenses down in front of the ones they trust and love, they are sweet loving dogs that have no problem seeking out attention. They also tend to make excellent watchdogs.

The traits from the parental breeds tend to balance themselves rather well in a Shi Chi. They are spunky, energetic little dogs whose desire to be with you can turn them into a furry, four-legged shadow, even if you’re simply going to the restroom. Don’t take this as a sign of weirdness- take it as a sign that your buddy totally trusts you.

While the Shi Chi can be fiercely protective of loved ones like a Chihuahua, the infusion of Shih Tzu DNA has eroded some of the dog’s hard edge off. You may find the pooch to be a bit shy if they aren’t properly socialized. This softness doesn’t correlate to the dog’s talkative tendencies – like a Chihuahua, they do tend to be yappy, especially with strangers.

As adorable as the Shi Chi is, the breed is not that suitable for families with young children. Little ones may not be able to comprehend the delicate nature of a small dog, and may end up unwittingly hurting the pet. In some cases, the dog may even lash out as a means of self-preservation.

Overall, the Shi Chi is a playful little pooch that will love nothing more than to curl into your lap and snuggle for long periods of time. The good news here is, they’re so adorable, you’ll have little to no problem providing them with what they desire.

The Shi Chi’s Cuteness in Action

The Shi Chi doesn’t have to do much to show off its cuteness. As this video shows, all it really needs to do is be present to let you know they’re adorable. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to accessorize your pooch to give them an extra measure of adorableness.