The Shih Tzu is one dog that has undergone lots of experimentation to create improved hybrids. And today, we’ll be taking a look at one of these mixes – the Shiranian. Now, what is a Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix?
The Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix (also known as the Shiranian or Pomshi) is a small dog breed produced by cross-breeding the popular Shih Tzu with the Pomeranian. Shiranian dogs are extremely adorable and loyal to a fault, both qualities inherited from their parents.
As the Shiranian is a mixed dog breed, standards will vary greatly, and owners may find it difficult to adequately care for this pooch. Consequently, this article focuses on general care and maintenance tips that Shiranian owners will find helpful, as well as medical conditions that this pooch may be predisposed to. However, before we go further, let’s start things off by taking a look at what you can expect when it comes to the Shiranian’s physical characteristics.
What Breed Of Dog Is A Shiranian?
The Shiranian dog is a hybrid dog that is developed by crossbreeding purebred Pomeranian and Shih Tzu pooches and with an origin that can be traced back to the United States.
It is also possible to have Shiranian dogs that are produced as a result of breeding two Shiranian parents, and these are usually regarded as second-generation Shiranians.
Appearance
Since the Shiranian is a mixed dog breed, you can expect each pooch to come with its own unique appearance. However, regardless of how any Shiranian pooch turns out, you can expect each individual dog to inherit traits from its Pomeranian and Shih Tzu parents.
That said, the typical Shiranian is small and compact, with proportionate body parts. Most Shiranians also have big, round brown eyes with a small, black nose and floppy ears.
Also, most Shiranians end up having a thick coat that is usually of medium to long length. This coat is mostly double-layered, and it can either be curly or straight.
Size
The Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix is a small-sized dog, and at adulthood, both male and female Shiranians typically weigh anything from between 4 to 16 lbs. Shiranians on the lower end of the weight scale are those that take after their Pomeranian parents, while the larger Shiranians inherit their size from the Shih Tzu.
The Shiranian is not the tallest dog out there either, and you can expect this pooch to stand between 7 to 12 inches at maximum height.
Coat Colors
The Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix typically comes in coat colors of brown, black, brindle, or sable. Red and white colored coats are also a possibility, and these may all come in solid colors.
Most times, however, you should expect your Shiranian pooch to come in a coat that’s a mix of the colors found on the parent Pomeranian and Shih Tzu dogs.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Shiranian?
Barring the occurrence of any terminal health conditions, the Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix is expected to live for between 12 to 16 years.
The Shiranian dog breed is not known to be one that suffers from a myriad of health issues, but as this pooch is a hybrid, there is every chance of this dog inheriting diseases from its parents.
That said, some of the health conditions that are commonly inherited by a Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix include:
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia in Shiranian dogs is a condition that refers to a sharp, sudden decline in the pooch’s blood glucose concentration level.
Hypoglycemia is mostly caused by a lack of glucose or hepatic disorders, but Shiranians can also suffer from this condition if there’s a significant delay between meal periods.
You can tell that a Shiranian is suffering from Hypoglycemia if you notice a loss of appetite, seizures, involuntary twitching, excessive urination, and a general lack of coordination.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland located in a Shiranian’s neck doesn’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine, which is responsible for converting the dog’s food into fuel for daily activities.
Causes of hypothyroidism in Shiranians include inheritable conditions such as lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy, although, in rare cases, cancer of the thyroid gland may also trigger hypothyroidism.
Signs that a Shiranian is suffering from hypothyroidism include significant hair loss, flaky skin, decreased appetite but an increase in weight gain, and a series of ear infections.
Thankfully, hypothyroidism is not immediately life-threatening, and it is also quite easy to treat.
Patellar Luxation
The Shiranian, like most other small dog breeds, is also liable to suffer from a luxating patella, a medical condition that is characterized by dislocation of the kneecap.
Most Shiranians inherit patellar luxation from their parents, although it is quite possible for this condition to develop from injuries and accidents.
Shiranians suffering from patellar luxation usually exhibit limping movements, an unwillingness to use their legs properly, and in most cases, swelling.
Treatment of patellar luxation in Shiranians typically involves surgery to realign the bones or the use of medication. But in severe cases, the pooch’s limbs may be amputated to stop the pain.
Minor Health Issues
- Bladder stones
- Dental problems
How To Take Care Of Shiranians?
Dietary Needs
The ideal meal for a Shiranian dog should be specially formulated with ingredients that cater to a small-sized dog’s nutritional needs. And if you’re unsure about what to feed your Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix, we recommend you try the Pet Plate meal plan.
Since the Shiranian is a mixed dog breed, physical standards can differ greatly. And to cater for this, you can take advantage of Pet Plate’s special food customization feature to get a specially crafted diet for your Shiranian. Also, Pet Plate meals are crafted with ingredients that dogs absolutely love eating, thereby helping eliminate potential problems of food pickiness by a Shiranian.
Pomeranian Shih Tzu mixes have a tendency to gain unhealthy weight; Hence, you should consult with your vet to craft an appropriate feeding schedule and stick religiously to this meal plan.
Constant and easy access to clean, fresh water is a must for the Shiranian dog. And as mentioned earlier, Shiranians are prone to developing several oral infections; Hence, it will be beneficial to invest in dental water additives to combat the occurrence of these mouth diseases in your dog.
Exercise Requirements
Shiranians are widely regarded as apartment dogs, but this is one pooch that will benefit from a minimal amount of exercise on a daily basis.
Short, 20-minute walks around the day provide great physical exercise for this pooch. And to provide adequate mental stimulation for your Shiranian, regular visits to the dog park, and engaging your pooch in games such as fetch should be done on a regular basis.
Are Shiranians Easy To Train? Temperaments Of Pomeranian Shih Tzu Mixes
The Shiranian inherits traits from both its parent dogs, and this is one pooch that is known for its joyful and friendly nature. And to gain a better understanding of the Shiranian’s personality, it can help to read up on the temperaments of the parent Pomeranian and Shih Tzu dog breeds.
Shiranians are known for their great love for humans, and this is one pooch that absolutely thrives on human attention and affection. The Shiranian shouldn’t be left alone without human attention for a considerable period of time as it will develop separation anxiety, and this pooch also shouldn’t be left outside.
The Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix is quite versatile and will adapt well to living in both small and big households. Also, the Shiranian is quite playful, and arrangements should be made for this pooch to burn off excess energy.
Interaction With Children And Pets
Shiranians get along fine with children and other dogs, but early and proper socialization is important to mold this dog’s future personality to an acceptable level.
A Shiranian is a small dog that can easily be injured by children. Hence, this pooch is better suited for adults and older kids that know how to handle dogs.
Security
Shiranians rarely bark, and coupled with the fact that this pooch is quite friendly towards strangers, it is not suitable for watchdog duties.
Training
Shiranians are highly intelligent dogs, but a stubborn streak means this canine breed can be difficult to train to use a potty or learn new tricks.
However, with a great deal of consistency, coupled with positive reinforcement for acts of obedience, you can successfully train and get the best out of a Shiranian pooch. It can also help to keep training sessions short to maintain your Shiranian’s interest in training activities.
Are Shiranian Dogs Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Pomeranian Shih Tzu Mixes
The Shiranian is a low-shedding dog, and regardless of its long coat, the Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix is a hypoallergenic dog that isn’t known to trigger reactions in those with dog allergies.
Brushing
The double-layered coat present on a Shiranian means this pooch will require more grooming than the regular dog to keep its coat from becoming matted and unkempt.
That said, frequent brushing with a high-quality brush tool like the FURminator Undercoat Tool will help control your Shiranian’s shedding and help maintain an even coat texture.
This FURminator tool is adept at grooming a Shiranian’s coat, thanks to a curved edge that conforms to the pooch’s body shape and an ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold.
Bathing
Shiranians are particular about keeping their coats clean, and coupled with the fact that this pooch spends the majority of the time indoors, bathing should be limited to a few times per year.
Bathing can help keep your Shiranian clean, but this should be done only when necessary, as frequent bathing may cause the oils that keep the pooch’s coat shiny to dry up. And when you eventually have to bathe your Shiranian, it is in your pooch’s best interests that you do this with a dog-friendly shampoo product like the Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo.
The Seamus Cherry Blossom shampoo is formulated with ingredients that help keep the Shiranian’s coat moisturized. And the shampoo’s cherry blossom scent will leave your pooch smelling great.
Additional Grooming Tips
- Regularly check your Shiranian’s ears for signs of dirt and debris, and clean accordingly.
- Ensure to trim your Shiranian’s nails before they get too long.
- Maintain impeccable oral hygiene by brushing your Shiranian’s teeth daily.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Shiranian? Prices for Shiranian puppies usually start at $750, but this is a pooch that can cost as much as $1,500 to acquire. Typically, the amount you’ll spend to purchase one of these Shiranian pooches is dependent on factors such as the breeder you’re buying from, the dog’s age, and the location of the breeder.
Can Shiranians Swim? Both the Pomeranian and Shih Tzu dog breeds are decent swimmers, and this is a trait that the Shiranian tends to inherit as well. However, given the small physique and poor stamina of Shih Tzu dogs, and if a Shiranian inherits most of its genes from its Shih Tzu parent, you can expect it to occasionally struggle in the water.
Which Is Better Pomeranian Or Shih Tzu? Both Shih Tzus and Pomeranians make wonderful companion dogs that are well-suited for family life. Both pooches also have a lot of time for children, and they don’t take kindly to being left alone at home for considerable periods. However, while the Pomeranian is quite active, the Shih Tzu pooch is slightly more laidback and may be better suited for families with less active lifestyles.
