Are you torn between getting an athletic and loyal dog, or a cute fluff ball whose favorite thing is lounging on your lap? Well, you can get the best of both by getting yourself a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix.
A Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is a designer hybrid dog that was created by crossbreeding the royal Shih Tzu with the loyal American Pit Bull Terrier. The idea behind the development of the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix was to have a dog with the muscularity and athleticism of the Pitbull and the fluffy, cuddly features of the Shih Tzu.
The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is an amazing companion, but what does it take to raise this dog? Below, we’ll cover all you need to know about the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix, including how to take care of them, the kind of grooming they require, their exercise needs, health risks, and so on. Before that, however, let’s understand how big these dogs get when fully matured.
How Big Will A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Get?
The size of the Shih Tzu and Pitbull mix, which is also called a PitShih, falls between that of the medium-sized American Pit Bull Terrier and the tiny Shih Tzu.
When fully matured, your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will measure anywhere between 10 to 25 inches. Similarly, your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will weigh anywhere between 15 to 30 lbs.
Appearance
The Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is a fairly new breed, and therefore it is impossible to predict with a high degree of accuracy how a first generation Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will look. However, you can expect the pup’s appearance to fall in between the appearance of the parents.
In most cases, however, Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes end up inheriting the Shih Tzu’s flatter face. While this gives the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix an adorable look, it also puts these pups at a high risk of developing the respiratory problems that are common to brachycephalic breeds.
Coat
The coats of the parent breeds are the complete opposite of each other. The Shih Tzu has a dense double coat with long and silky hair, while the American Pitbull Terrier has a medium coat with very short fur. In most cases, Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes will have a short haired coat with the Shih Tzu’s silky texture.
The parent breeds come in a wide variety of colors, and therefore, a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix could be brown, black, white, liver, yellow, chocolate, brindle, or a combination of these colors.
How Long Do Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Live?
The American Pitbull Terrier has a lifespan of 8 to 15 years, while the Shih Tzu lives for about 10 to 16 years.
Therefore, you can expect your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix to live for about 10 to 15 years. Giving your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix a high quality of care will go a long way towards increasing their life expectancy.
Most crossbreeds are believed to be healthier than purebreds due to a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor, and the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is no exception. Even with the advantage of hybrid vigor, however, your Pitshih can still inherit some of the health issues of the parent breeds.
Some health issues that are common to Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes include…
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, and if your Pitshih inherits the Shih Tzu’s flat face, this could put them at risk of Brachycephalic airway syndrome. This condition is caused by the obstruction of the airways due to the shortened muzzle, making it difficult for doggies with this condition to breathe properly.
Dental Issues
Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes are also at a high risk of developing various dental issues. A lot of Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes have overcrowded teeth because of their small skulls. This overcrowding further increases the risk of dental problems.
Joint And Back Issues
Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes are also at a high risk of developing various structural health problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease, both of which can be very painful for your canine buddy.
How To Take Care Of Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes?
Dietary Requirements
Your Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix will require about 2 to 3 cups of food every day, depending on their size. For puppies, the food should be divided into 4 meals, while adults can be served two meals every day.
So, what should you feed your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix? The best dog food for your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is Pet Plate dog food.
We recommend Pet Plate for three reasons. First, their food is made to the same standards that are required for human food. Second, the recipes are created by a professional pet nutritionist. Finally, you have four different recipes to choose from depending on what your fido likes. We also recommend giving your pooch multivitamins to supplement their diet.
Having seen that Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes are at a high risk of developing dental issues, we recommend that you invest in dental water additives. Adding these to your doggo’s drinking water will help prevent these dental problems.
Exercise Requirements
Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes will need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day, depending on their size. You should be careful not to make the exercise too strenuous. Strenuous exercise can easily aggravate the risk of back and joint injuries.
Due to their brachycephalic nature, you should never exercise your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix in hot weather, because these dogs have trouble regulating their temperature. Their flat face and short muzzle also makes Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes highly vulnerable to drowning, so you should never allow your Pitshih to swim.
Are Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Less Aggressive? Temperaments Of Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes
Both the American Pitbull Terrier and the Shih Tzu are pleasant dogs with very great temperaments, and therefore, you can expect the same from your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix. Pitshihs live for one single purpose; to give and receive love from their families.
Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes are also very social and playful, which makes them good companions for your kids. These dogs are also very protective towards children, a quality they inherited from their Pitbull parent.
Are Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Aggressive?
Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes are affectionate and confident dogs that are very unlikely to show any aggression towards people. However, they can be a bit territorial, which can cause them to display some aggression towards other dogs.
They also have a prey drive, which could result in them chasing after small pets like cats.
The best way to train your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix not to attack other dogs is to socialize them from a very young age, so that they get used to being around other dogs.
Can Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Be Left Alone All Day?
Both Shih Tzus and American Pitbull Terriers are known for being clingy dogs that want to be close to their favorite persons at all times, and therefore, you can expect the same of your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix.
This means that Pitshihs are not the kind of dog you can leave alone all day. You should only get a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix if you’ll be able to have them close to you every day.
Do Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes
Are Shih Tzu Pitbull Mixes Hypoallergenic?
While Shih Tzus are hypoallergenic, the American Pit Bull Terrier is not, which means that the resulting mix will be a moderate shedder that is not likely to be hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a completely hypoallergenic pooch, the Pitshih is not the best choice for you.
Brushing
The amount of brushing that Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes need will depend on the parent they inherit their coat from. If their coat takes after that of the Shih Tzu, you’ll need to brush them daily. If their coat is closer to that of the Pitbull, they can do with one or two brushing sessions in a week.
When brushing your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix, you’ll want to use a tool that will effectively straighten their hair to prevent tangling and get rid of dead hairs, without any risk of injuring your doggie’s skin. For this, our top recommendation is the Furminator Undercoat Tool.
Bathing
Your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will also need occasional baths to keep their coat in good condition and to prevent bad odor. Ideally, you should give your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix a shower every few months. However, if they are particularly dirty or smelly, you don’t have to wait for a month to give them a bath.
Bathing your Pitshih with a high quality shampoo that is formulated for dogs will not only keep their coat clean, it will also moisturize their skin and prevent dry skin and scaling. We’ve found the Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner to be the best for this.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix? The price of a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix will fall in the $1,000 to $2,000 range. Sometimes, however, breeders will charge as much as $4,000 for puppies from high quality bloodlines. If you don’t want to pay this much, you have the option of adopting a Pitshih from a shelter for as low as $300.
Can A Shih Tzu And Pitbull Get Along? While Shih Tzus will not have trouble getting along with other dogs, most American Pit Bull Terriers are not good at getting along with other dogs. However, if the two dogs were brought up together from a very young age, it is possible for them to get along well.
Can A Pitbull Mate With A Shih Tzu? Yes. It is possible for a Pitbull to mate with a Shih Tzu and produce viable offspring, which are referred to as Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes or Pitshihs. Due to the size and appearance differences between the two breeds, it is however, impossible to accurately predict what the puppies will look like.
