29 Shih Tzu Mixed Breeds (With Pictures)
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The Shih Tzu is a miracle breed. Just over 100 years ago, there were only 14 left in the world. Since then, lovers of these regal dogs have slowly returned their numbers to health. Today, you can find Shih Tzus in parks, palaces, and everywhere in between.
With Shih Tzus thriving in the present day, it’s common to find them mixed with other breeds, both in the wild and in breeding programs. These photos show the many different hybrids that cross Shih Tzus with other breeds, many of which you might be able to find today in your local shelters.
1. Shinese (Shih Tzu x Pekingese)
What better place to start than with the Shinese, a cross between a Shih Tzu and the other most famous long-haired lapdog from China? Shinese inherit a love of cuddling from their Pekingese parents and a proud watchfulness from the Shih Tzu side.
2. Shorgi (Shih Tzu x Corgi)
Corgis are hugely popular breeding dogs right now—probably because so many of their mixes turn out so cute. The Shorgi, a mix of a Corgi and a Shih Tzu, can look like either of its parents, though they rarely have the Corgi’s pointy ears.
3. Bo Shih (Shih Tzu x Boston Terrier)
Bo Shihs combine the Shih Tzu’s size and bearing with the black-and-white coat of a Boston Terrier. While incredibly sweet, Bo Shihs are also prone to separation anxiety, so we don’t recommend adopting one unless you two can spend a lot of time together.
- Related Read: 6 Boston Terrier Colors & Markings (With Pictures)
4. Jatzu (Japanese Chin x Shih Tzu Mix)
Jatzus are a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Japanese Chin, a lapdog best known for its tiny head and enormous eyes. These companion dogs offer a perfect balance of intelligence and kindness, along with better-proportioned looks than either parent.
5. Shorkie Tzu (Shih Tzu x Yorkshire Terrier)
Often shortened to just “Shorkie,” a Shorkie Tzu mixes a Shih Tzu with a Yorkshire Terrier. The Shih Tzu’s pride plus the Yorkie’s fighting spirit make for an extremely lively pup that’s best for houses without young children. With time, Shorkies can be socialized with other pets, but they like to be the pack leader.
6. Jack Tzu (Shih Tzu x Jack Russell Terrier)
The unbelievably cute Jack Tzu is the kind of dog that’s a project for its owners at first. With a Shih Tzu’s stubbornness plus a Jack Russell’s passion for the hunt, they’ll spend a lot of time doing their own thing. However, training, patience, and lots of running and walking can mold your Jack Tzu into a fiercely loving friend.
7. Papastzu (Papillon x Shih Tzu Mix)
A Papastzu sits at the intersection of a Papillon’s hairy ears and a Shih Tzu’s hairy everything. Papastzus love to play and make friends, and often take on tasks far above their weight class (many of them tip the scales at less than 10 pounds). They’ve also got high-maintenance coats, some of the longest you’ll see on any pooch.
8. Sheltie Tzu (Shih Tzu x Shetland Sheepdog)
It’s pretty common to breed Shih Tzus with smaller work dogs to make the fluffballs a little bit more active. The Sheltie Tzu, a mix of a Shih Tzu and a Shetland Sheepdog, shows why that practice works so well. They enjoy a bit of work and get along with absolutely everybody.
9. Coton-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Coton de Tulear)
The Coton de Tulear, a unique lapdog from Madagascar, only recently began to breed with Shih Tzus. Their crossbreed is one of the most relaxed dogs on our list, perfect for families with small children or anybody who has less time for walks.
10. Shiranian (Shih Tzu x Pomeranian)
A Pomeranian plus a Shih Tzu equals one of the most lovable balls of fluff you’ll ever have the pleasure to play with. Shiranians get deeply attached to members of their pack and work well in families with kids, cats, and other dogs.
11. Cava Tzu (Shih Tzu x Cavalier King Charles)
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for its intelligence, trainability, floppy ears, and beautiful eyes—all traits it passes on when mixed with a Shih Tzu. The resulting puppies are eager for companionship, happy to be trained, and don’t need too much walking.
12. Shih Mo (Shih Tzu x American Eskimo)
Shih Tzus and American Eskimos are companion pooches from opposite ends of the world, who mix together into one of the most popular lapdog breeds to emerge in recent decades. Shih Mos are small dogs with long, bathmat-like coats, who thrive in households with human children.
13. Care-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Cairn Terrier)
In their native Scotland, Cairn Terriers were bred as digging dogs, skilled at flushing foxes and other game. Mix one with a Shih Tzu and you get a Care-Tzu, a livelier, more playful take on the Shih Tzu template.
14. Shih-Poo (Poodle x Shih Tzu Mix)
A Shih-Poo mixes a Shih Tzu with a Poodle, turning the Shih Tzu’s flowing coat into more manageable fluff. Affectionate and mostly hypoallergenic, Poodles are popular breeding partners. Shih-Poos need a little exercise and a lot of time with their humans every day.
15. Shiffon (Shih Tzu x Brussels Griffon)
The Brussels Griffon is one of the more active lap breeds, famous for its intelligence and enormous mustache. Crossing one with a Shih Tzu leads to a wonderful friend for children, seniors, or people who live in smaller apartments.
16. Zuchon (Bichon Frisé x Shih Tzu Mix)
Zuchons, a mix of a Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise, are basically walking, big-eyed stuffed animals. They make friends with everyone they meet and prefer to get their exercise from toys and yard play rather than long walks. Other names include Tzu Frise and Shihchon.
17. Cock-a-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Cocker Spaniel)
The Cock-a-Tzu is a royal marriage in the canine kingdom, pairing the favorite dog of Chinese emperors with one of the beloved companions of British royalty. In person, a Cock-a-Tzu is more of a cuddle bug than a hunting dog, whose biggest need is a lot of attention.
18. Schnau-Tzu (Miniature Schnauzer x Shih Tzu Mix)
When mixing a Mini Schnauzer with a Shih Tzu, breeders usually wind up with a more Schnauzer-looking litter, but with the Shih Tzu parent’s long ears. Schnau-Tzus are a breeze to train and are big fans of showing off new tricks.
19. Bea Tzu (Shih Tzu x Beagle)
For a slightly more substantial Shih Tzu mix, try the Bea Tzu on for size. The Beagle parent donates its signature floppy ears, while the Shih Tzu gives the Bea Tzu extra fluff and a shorter snout. Although Bea Tzus are more playful than Shih Tzus, working out their energy isn’t too difficult.
20. Affen Tzu (Shih Tzu x Affenpinscher)
Affenpinschers are German terriers who were named for their resemblance to monkeys. When you mix these monkey dogs with Shih Tzu lion dogs, you get a proud pup that’s smart enough to back that pride up. Affen Tzus make sweet, cuddly lapdogs—just be prepared for a little stubbornness.
21. Mal-Shi (Maltese x Shih Tzu Mix)
This mixture of a Maltese and a Shih Tzu is a great dog for apartment living, or for lower-activity owners. Mal-Shis are light, quiet pups that do a lot of cuddling and napping. However, they do need lots of grooming to keep their coats from forming painful mats.
22. Havashu (Shih Tzu x Havanese)
The Havanese, the official national dog of Cuba, is a small, silky breed that looks a lot like the Shih Tzu. They work well together, resulting in the Havashu, a fluffy pup that’s much easier to train than its imperious Shih Tzu parent.
23. Pug Zu (Shih Tzu x Pug)
You might not think that Pugs would mate well with other breeds, but it turns out that Pug traits somehow make Shih Tzus seem even more lion-like. A Pug Zu is a dog with a huge personality, sometimes stubborn but very responsive to early socialization training.
24. Sco-Shi (Scottish Terrier x Shih Tzu Mix)
Sco-Shis are a newer mix, and their appearances swing broadly between their Shih Tzu and Scottish Terrier parents. They’re as independent as any terrier, but inherit loyalty from the Shih Tzu side, making quiet yet firm friends. They hardly ever shed and only need a little grooming.
25. Schweenie (Shih Tzu x Dachshund)
Topping the list of the best mixed-breed names, a Schweenie is a Shih Tzu crossed with a Dachshund. The Dachshund’s sausage-like body and short legs meet the Shih Tzu’s long fur to make an energetic little pup with reasonable grooming needs.
26. Bolo Tzu (Bolognese x Shih Tzu Mix)
The Bolognese is Italy’s answer to the Shih Tzu: a long-haired, lap-loving companion dog with short legs and a passion for being pampered. Purebred Bologneses aren’t very common today, but their mix with their Chinese counterparts could take the world by storm.
27. Auss Tzu (Shih Tzu x Miniature Australian Shepherd)
The Miniature Aussie is a small version of a big working dog. Like many mini breeds, it hasn’t yet figured out how small it is and passes that personality on when mixed with a Shih Tzu. If you want a lapdog that also isn’t afraid to run, an Auss Tzu could be the pet for you.
28. ShiChi (Shih Tzu x Chihuahua)
If you like small dogs, you’ll love the ShiChi, a mix of a Shih Tzu and Chihuahua that’s outweighed by most cats (and some guinea pigs). ShiChis are friendly dogs with big hearts, whose looks can vary broadly depending on which parent they take after the most.
29. Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso x Shih Tzu Mix)
We started this list with a meeting between two famous East Asian lapdogs, and we’ll end it with another! Lhasas and Shih Tzus mix to create the Shih Apso, a happy-go-lucky, long-coated fuzzball whose highest goal is to always be the center of attention.
Wrap Up
Wrap UpMost, if not all, of the Shih Tzu mixed breeds listed, are unofficial. If you adopt one, it might be hard to learn some key facts, such as whether a Shih Tzu was the mother or the father.
If you want to adopt a Shih Tzu mix, we understand: they’re adorable. But while these photos might melt your heart, nothing compares to actually meeting a puppy. Hopefully, a Shih Tzu mix you play with soon will become your new best friend!
See also
Featured Image Credit: Peakpx
