The Shih-Tzu, also called the Lion Dog, is a toy breed that is known for its playfulness, affectionate temperament towards children, and penchant for company. With a long double coat, big brown eyes, a quirky squashed face, and a proud stance, how could we ever pass up the charm of the royal Shih-Tzu?
Why Crossbreed the Shih-Tzu?
Shih-Tzu’s have become a popular dog to crossbreed with other purebreds due to their favorable personality traits. Many smaller dog breeds tend to be self-centered, territorial, and slightly aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. However, the Shih-Tzu is a natural companion dog that is friendly and adapts to new faces quickly. They are hypoallergenic.
In crossbreeding the Shih-Tzu, the resulting mixed breeds, or “designer dogs,” have the best of both purebred worlds. These mixes are less prone to have the health problems of their parents, as well.
These cute dog mixes with shih tzu are so incredibly cute! Here are some of the cutest Shih-Tzu dog mixes out there.
Bea-Tzu (Shih-Tzu x Beagle)
If you ever wanted a fluffy beagle, well, this is it. The Bea-Tzu has a big head, a short snout, and a heart-shaped nose. The longer hair around the face gives this dog a mane, living up to its parent’s namesake: The Lion Dog.
The Bea-Tzu, like the Shih-Tzu, makes a great companion. The beagle in the pup makes it a great watchdog, too. It is known to be very friendly, smart, loyal, and protective. The Bea-Tzu is great with families but needs plenty of exercise and training. Between the beagle’s tendency to get into mischief and the Shih-Tzu’s alert nature, if not trained properly you may find that your dog is getting themselves into trouble a little bit too often.
Shih-Poo (Shih-Tzu x Poodle)
Just by looking at this dog, you can see the pride and sass. The Shih-Poo gets its stubborn, intelligent streak from the poodle and lovable nature from the Shih-Tzu. This curly-haired ball of fluff is one of those dogs who will be called “puppy” forever. The round eyes stare into your soul as if to say, “I will train you to give me treats for the rest of your life. Also, I love you so much.”
As cute as they are, they are not for the beginner. The poodle in them makes them very stubborn, and they require a lot of attention.
Care-Tzu (Shih-Tzu x Cairn Terrier)
The Care-Tzu might as well be an animated stuffed animal. Between the Cairn Terrier’s rough, waterproof coat and the Shih-Tzu’s long one the results are a scruffy-faced bundle of joy.
The Care-Tzu is a great competition dog, known for its obedience and agility. You may not think of a Shih-Tzu as the athletic type, but their energetic nature contributes to the Care-Tzu’s athleticism as well. Unlike the Shih-Poo, who is stubborn and a bit more challenging to train, you’ll have an easier time with this social, easy-to-please breed. It also has trademark Shih-Tzu friendliness and is very good with children.
