Shih Pom Breed Information
Lovey-dovey affectionate, fancy-looking, and loyal to the core, the Shih Pom is one of the best companion pets a dog lover could ask for. This Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix was created with canine perfection as a guideline. The Shih Pom dogs are hypoallergenic, easy to train, friendly, and off-the-scale adorable.
They are quick to bond with their humans, perfect for children big and small, and friends to all. Their positive disposition and friendly nature have made them one of the most popular dog breeds of 2021. The Shih Pom puppies are a crossbreed of a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian. They are small, cuddly, and perfect.
For insights on how to build trust with your Shih Pom, read our article on How We Ruin and Rebuild Dogs' Trust
BREED TYPE / MIX
Hybrid / Shih Tzu crossed with a Pomeranian
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Cuddly, Calm, Gentle
ADULT WEIGHT
4-15 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
7-12 inches
LIFE SPAN
12-16
Characteristics
- The Shih Pom is also known as Shiranian, Pomshi, Pom-Tzu, Pomatzu, and Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix
- Semi or fully hypoallergenic, the Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix is a great fit for allergy sufferers
- Shih Pom dogs like to be in tune with their owner’s energy and are adaptable to both active and relaxed lifestyles
- Friendly, sociable, and outgoing, the Shiranian is quick to make friends – human and canine alike
- The Shih Pom (Shiranian) is a family-attached dog that can be trained for therapy work
- Small size, quiet, and well-mannered, the Shih Pom is a great fit for apartment life
- Shih Pom puppies are adorable, bouncy, and playful. They love to socialize and are quite good training students
- As a first-generation crossbreed, the Shih Pom benefits from hybrid vigor. This dog is healthier than both Shih Tzus and Pomeranians
- The Shih Pom/ Shiranian is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry
- Gentle, fun, and up for a game at any time, the Shih Pom and Shih Pom puppies are wonderful playmates for big and small children
- The Shih Pom makes an excellent companion pet for large and small families, singles, retirees, novice and experienced owners, couples, and multi-pet households
Appearance
Shih Pom dogs aka Shiranian dogs are small, compact, sturdy, and incredibly cute. They proudly sport features from both of their parent breeds and often resemble a little teddy bear. Their step is smooth and elegant and they appear happy and warm. As toy-sized dogs, they grow 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 4 and 15 pounds, with the female Shih Pom being somewhat smaller. Although uncommon in the breed, some Shih Poms can weigh over 16 pounds.
The Shih Pom dogs have dark eyes, an admiration-filled gaze, raised or floppy ears depending on which parent breed they take after more, a short muzzle, and a long puffy tail. The Shih Pom coat is long, straight, and shiny, low-shedding, and with hypoallergenic qualities. Some of the coat colors that the Shih Pom dogs are commonly found in are red, Pomeranian orange, brown, Shih Tzu white, brindle, and sable. Their coats can be of a solid color, although they are more likely to sport multi-colored coats. As designer hybrids, the Shih Poms can resemble either parent breed or they can appear with a combination of features from both the Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian.
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Temperament
The Shiranian or Shih Pom dogs are gentle and calm-tempered little pooches. Because their nature is so warm and loving, these dogs are happiest when their humans are with them all day. They want to be a part of their owners’ daily routine and crave nothing more than to love and be loved. Shih Poms love unconditionally and their people are what matters most to them. They make excellent family dogs as well as exceptional companion pets for seniors, retirees, couples, and singles.
With their friendly disposition, caring nature, and a great need to always have someone around, the Shih Poms are also a great fit for multi-pet households. They enjoy having furry siblings they can play with at any time and they are quite happy to be part of a pack. Even though they are half Shih Tzu and half Pomeranian, the Shih Pom dogs don’t make the best watchdogs as they seem to have missed the Pomeranian protective genes. They are much too quiet and too friendly to bite or bark at intruders or visitors.
Shih Pom dogs or Shiranian dogs are neither too active to crave a hiking trip every day nor too relaxed to pass on a game of fetch. They stand in the middle with moderate energy levels and an equally strong passion for dog games, cuddles, and naps. They enjoy going on their daily walks and interacting with other people and dogs, and they are very fond of being pampered while sitting cozy on a lap. As friendly as they are, Shih Poms can get jealous when someone else is getting a bigger share of affection. Since they are family-attached dogs, they need constant attention and interaction to thrive.
For more insights on training dogs effectively, check out our blog Easiest Dogs to Train - Top 5 Pups for Effortless Training
Insights
Pomeranian vs Shih Pom Comparison
Tiny dogs with big personalities and a great deal of love to give is what defines Pomeranian dogs and Shih Poms. If you find yourself wanting to choose between the two, you are in for quite a challenge as these dogs are equally precious, cuddly, sweet, and clever. Read on to learn more about what makes them special, what qualities they share, what they love, and how they stand out from one another.
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Care
Grooming
Shih Pom dogs have moderate grooming requirements. Because their coat is long and generally low-shedding, these dogs need to be brushed multiple times every week, preferably once every two days to avoid tangles or matting of the hair. Although they are a Pomeranian mix, these dogs don't have a double coat and are easily groomed.
The Shih Pom – Shiranian dogs - also need a proper oral care routine as they are prone to dental issues. Their teeth should be brushed a few times per week and they should have a healthy supply of dental chew sticks and toys around. Their cute ears should be checked regularly and their nails trimmed on a monthly basis. To keep their long coats shiny, smooth, and gorgeous, Shih Poms need a bath every other month.
To understand more about canine behavior and why your Shih Pom might exhibit certain behaviors, explore our article on Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Understanding Canine Behavior
Exercise Needs
The Shih Poms are moderately active dogs with low exercise requirements. Although they enjoy the occasional romp around the yard and a zoom every now and then Shih Poms are more on the relaxed side with hobbies like napping and cuddling. They do best with an exercise routine of 20 to 30 minutes each day split into two walks and plenty of indoor playtime.
Health
The Shih Pom is a generally healthy dog without any major concerns when it comes to health issues. As a first-generation crossbreed, the Shih Pom benefits from hybrid vigor which translates to better health than their purebred parent breeds. Although they are less likely to inherit the same ailments that their parents are prone to, the Shih Poms can develop certain conditions like cataracts, severe weight gain, thyroid issues, and allergies.
Life Span
The Shih Pom lifespan is between 12 and 16 years. A Shih Pom that is properly cared for, fed good quality dry dog food, exercised, and loved can live longer.
Training
As is with most small dogs, Shiranian puppies can be trained with the proper motivation. They are bouncy, perfectly cute, cuddly, and very loving, but they lack the eagerness to learn when the lesson is boring – like most dogs do. The Shiranian puppies (Shih Pom puppies) need fun training sessions filled with praise, petting, toys, games, and their favorite treats. The best way to train a Shiranian puppy is to use positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods, especially during potty training.
Because of their attached nature, the Shih Pom puppies should be trained to be independent as soon as they come home in order to avoid the possibility of them developing separation anxiety. They should also be socialized early and introduced to new situations, people, and sounds.
For early training insights, especially for puppies, consider reading our guide on Early Training: Key Cavapoo Puppy Behaviors, as it can be applied to Shih Poms as well.
History
Favored for their elegance, classiness, proud demeanor, and charismatic personality, the Shih Pom dogs or Shiranian dogs are by definition dogs of royalty. They originated in North America a little over three decades ago and are believed to have been created as a new hypoallergenic dog breed. A hybrid of a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian, the Shih Pom puppy is a canine superstar in the hearts of Americans.
The Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian have been two of the most adored dog breeds throughout history. They both have rich pasts filled with achievements, canine titles, and worldwide fame. The Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian have been raised among kings, emperors, and queens and they both share the remarkable qualities every dog lover craves for. As their offspring, the Shih Pom puppy/Shiranian puppy inherits the royal attitude and affectionate nature of the Shih Tzu and the friendliness and happy disposition of the Pomeranian.
Although Shih Pom puppies haven’t been around for a very long time, we can learn more about them through their parent breeds.
Also known as the Lion Dog and the Royal Dog, the Shih Tzu has long been associated with luxury. During their long history, the Shih Tzu dogs took residence on the laps of Chinese Emperors, European Kings and Queens, and American aristocrats. They traveled from one luxurious palace to the next during dynasties and called castles their home through many kingdoms. Although their origin is yet unclear, the Shih Tzu dogs are believed to come from China, where, during ancient times, they were considered a kingly gift that only the very powerful could receive. As such, the Shih Tzu puppies were the most cherished companions of royal families.
Although kingdoms and dynasties have long been outrun by modern times, the Shih Tzu popularity among high society families has remained unaltered. As of 2021, the Shih Tzu is the number one breed in many states across America as well as a favorite dog in European countries. These remarkable dogs are known for their strong loyalty, affectionate nature, and elegant looks. The Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix known as the Shih Pom and Shiranian inherits these and many more amazing qualities from the Shih Tzu side of the family.
The Pomeranian, a dog from the ancient region of Pomerania near the Baltic Sea, is a Spitz family member and the descendant of a large sled-pulling dog from the Arctic. With roots in the harsh environment of the Arctic, the Pomeranian breed remains a hardy and resilient dog despite his now small stature. The ancient Pomeranian was a big dog – one that could endure pulling on a heavy sled through thick snow and icy-cold weather. Although their journey is not entirely documented, the Pomeranian puppies made their way from the frozen lands and hardship lives into a gentler climate and a life of pampering. They were bred down in Pomerania, although not entirely to the size they sport today, and later moved on to capture the favor of Queen Victoria.
As one of the Pomeranian breed’s biggest fans, Queen Victoria took it upon herself to further the breed's popularity by breeding them down in size even more. Today, this dog is as small as small dogs get. The Mini Pomeranian, Teacup Pomeranian, and Micro Pomeranian are all variations of the Standard Pomeranian who is also a toy-sized dog. These dogs merit their fame to their fearless personality, fluffy adorable looks, and loving nature – all wonderful qualities that they pass on to their Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix puppies.
Both the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian know great fame among dog lovers. Because of their many exceptional personality traits and gorgeous features, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian were both crossed with other breeds in order to produce new designer dog breeds like the Shih Pom. Among the most popular crossbreeds of Shih Tzu dogs and Pomeranian dogs are:
- Shih Poo – Shih Tzu Poodle mix
- Shorkie – Shih Tzu Yorkie mix
- ShiChi – Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix
- Havashu – Havanese Shih Tzu mix
- Shichon – Shih Tzu Bichon mix
- Mal-Shi – Shih Tzu Maltese mix
- Pomapoo – Pomeranian Poodle mix
- Pomsky – Pomeranian Husky mix
- Pomachon – Pomeranian Bichon mix
- Maltipom - Pomeranian Maltese mix
- Yorkie Pom – Pomeranian Yorkie mix
