Shih Tzu Pekingese Mix (Shinese)- The Ultimate Guide


A shih tzu pekingese mix

When looking for the perfect addition to your family, a dog with a warm, bubbly personality is a priority. You want one that gets along with everyone at home and gives back the same amount of love you pour into it. Thankfully, the Shih Tzu Pekingnese mix matches this description. 

The Shih Tzu Pekingese mix results from crossing the Shih Tzu with the Pekingese, creating an elegant blend of a cuddly dog and a lovable personality. The sweet, scrunchy face and their small body stature make this dog the perfect lap dog. 

If you have your eyes on this furball, this article can be a resourceful guide on the dog. It covers the background, personality, temperament, health issues, care, maintenance, and other questions about the breed. 

Shih Tzu Pekingese History 

The Shih Tzu Pekingese is a relatively new dog; therefore, it does not have much history. The aim of breeding the two dogs was to create a small, loveable lap dog that would be a companion for children, adults, and seniors. 

Since the mix has not been around for a long time, the history of individual parents can give you an insight into what to expect from the mix. Like other designer dogs, the Shi Tzu Pekingese mix carries the characteristics of both parents, hence the need to study the parents’ origin. However, both parents, the Shi Tzu and the Pekingese have been around for ages. 

Shih Tzu History

The Shih Tzu often referred to as Shitzu, is a toy breed with its origin in China, particularly from the Ming Dynasty. Even though this is recognized as their origin, Shih Tzus initially came from Tibet, China’s western neighbor and a sovereign nation until the 1950s. 

The name Shih Tzu means little lion, which came from the Tibetan Buddist God of Learning, who traveled with a small lion dog that could transform into a lion. Later, these dogs were placed in Chinese courts as pets and lap warmers. 

These beautiful dogs with long, silky hair were kept hidden behind walls and were only introduced to the outside world around the 1930s. Their popularity worldwide grew tremendously, earning the Shih Tzu recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1969. 

Pekingese History

The Pekingese was developed in ancient China, where it was a sacred dog, kept as a palace dog by the imperial family. It was brought to the West by the English forces that looted the Imperial Palace in Beijing in 1860. 

Like the Shih Tzu, the Pekingese has been known as the lion dog. Its heavily furred body and its lion-like independence and courage earned it its lion dog name. It is very small and, in its early days, was carried by Chinese royalty in the sleeves of their robes. 

People believed Penkingese had unexplained powers, keeping them in high places like palaces. They were not allowed to be owned by anyone else and were not known by regular people. It was not until the late 1800s that they became famous outside palaces. 

In 1906 the dog was brought to England and given to the queen. They grew in popularity among palaces and other high-end residences and eventually became a sought-after dog by dignitaries. The American Kennel Club recognized the Pekingese in 1906. 

What Does a Shih Tzu Pekingese Mix Look Like?

The Shig Tzu and the Pekingese have similar qualities; therefore, the offspring can combine their characteristics or lean more towards one parent. The mix has no breed standard, so the dog’s appearance will vary from one to another, even in the same litter. 

Generally, the Shih Tzu Pekingese mix has a long, compact body. The dog has a flat adorable face with bright brown eyes and nose. They have floppy ears that add to the heavily-furred body.

How Big do Shih Tzu Pekingese Mixes Get?

Both parents, the Shih Tzu and the Pekingese are small dog breeds, so they are generally within the toy to miniature sizes. The adult mix stands at the height of 8 to 13 inches and can weigh between 10 to 16 pounds. 

Like most dogs, the females are usually smaller, with a maximum height of 10 inches and a weight of about 13 pounds. Since they are toy-to small-sized dogs, the size makes them appropriate for apartment living. As long as they get their outdoor time, space constraints should not be a concern. 

Coat Type and Colors

The Shih Tzu Pekingese mix comes with a dense, long, thick double coat. The coat can be wavy or steer towards silky and soft for some. The coat is longer on the neck and the shoulders, giving the appearance of a lion’s mane. 

The dog comes in a variety of colors from both parents. You can find them in brown, white, gray, black, red, fawn, light yellow, and beige. They can be mottled or calico patterned in some cases.

What is the Shih Tzu Pekingese Mix Temperament?

The adorable appearance of the Shih Tzu Pekingese mix matches their temperament, making it the perfect family dog. They are good with kids, but their small, fragile bodies make them prone to unforeseen accidents. Therefore, they need close attention when playing with kids. 

With older children, the dog can be a perfect addition. The good thing is you can train the dog and your younger kids to play together safely without hurting each other. 

The Shih Tzu Pekingese dog is not aggressive; however, they tend to bite and nip when triggered or mistreated. Their courageous attitude comes to play to protect them from prey and awful treatment. 

They are generally happy, but they can quickly get upset and back endlessly when triggered. It is important to train kids to treat them and handle them delicately. 

On a positive note, the Shih Tzu Pekingese mix is a loyal and protective dog to its owners. It will act as a guard dog when needed, even in its small size. It is wary of strangers and is not afraid to be vocal about its suspicions. 

Again, they can learn to handle unfamiliar people and environments with proper training. Early socialization helps to manage their aggressive barking in the event of a stranger or any other trigger. 

The Shih Tzu Pekingese dog is clingy and would instead stick by you than stay independently. It enjoys constant human interaction and attention; therefore, it cannot be left alone for long periods. 

It is prone to separation anxiety and being bred as a lap dog; it relies heavily on constant attention to stay happy and active. It is therefore not ideal for families with out-of-home busy schedules. 

They are also wonderful companions, bringing their playful and active side. They are friendly to other dogs and pets so that they can handle time at dog centers and parks. They are particularly suited for families with smaller dogs and other pets for safety when playing. 

These small dogs are intelligent and can pick up on emotions and attitudes. Being lap dogs, they are affectionate and can quickly act like therapy dogs. They can easily tell when you are happy or sad, making them ideal for people that live alone. 

Shih Tzu Pekingese Care and Maintenance

This adorable dog is easy to maintain, but it needs customized care to keep it happy and healthy like other designer dogs. They can tolerate cold and moderately hot weather; however, they can have breathing problems if it is too cold due to their flat faces. 

On the same note, they can get too hot, thanks to their heavily-furred body. Therefore, you should avoid exerting them in hot weather for too long. This challenge in weather adaptability makes them relatively high maintenance. 

Below is a description of what they need in terms of feeding, exercise, grooming, and training. 

Feeding

Your Shih Tzu Pekingese mix does not need special food to stay healthy and active. Small dogs do not need much as long as the food is high quality and supports their growth and development. 

The best feeding schedule is about half a cup of food per meal twice a day. Throughout the day, you can give them treats as long as they are healthy and appropriate for your dog’s size and age. 

Avoid foods with artificial ingredients, sugars, and sals when choosing your dog’s food. Choose highly nutritious foods with protein, fiber, and fats. If necessary, you can add supplements to meet their vitamin and mineral requirements. 

Pay attention to the size of the kibble as not all work for toy to small-sized dogs. Go for brands with specific kibble for small dogs with more calories per pound of body fat. This will be easier to digest and comes in smaller bites that the dog can bite on easily. 

If you have challenges determining the right food for your dog, talk to your vet. They will advise on the most appropriate dog food for your small dog, including the essential ingredients you need to look out for your dog’s life stage. 

Exercise

The Shih Tzu Pekingese mix has a moderate energy level and balances the need to lounge and play. They do not need a lot of exercise and can spend a lot of energy playing on their own indoors and outdoors. 

If you have a big compound, your dog can run around and chase after toys, which would be enough exercise. But, if you live in an apartment, you should take the dog out to play at the park or have a short walk of about 30 to 45 minutes. 

The dog can handle long walks or hours of play, but it is unnecessary. One thing you should note, though, is to take them out for walks in the morning when the weather is not too hot, as they struggle in hot weather. 

Grooming 

The dog comes in a long, dense coat which calls for regular maintenance. Unfortunately, the long hair is prone to matting and tangling if not brushed regularly. This can make it challenging to break it free, which can be painful for the dog, on top of altering the style of the coat. 

The parents do not shed similarly; the Pekingese sheds a lot while the Shi Tzu is a light shedder. Breeding these two results in a dog that sheds moderately, manageable with regular brushing. 

The Shih Tzu is considered a hypoallergenic dog, while the Pekingese is not. That said, the mix has a 50% chance of being hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, this is hard to tell just by looking at the puppy, as each takes after both parents or one in terms of the coat it gets. 

The best approach to maintaining a healthy and neat coat is to brush the dog daily. This will reduce matting and shedding, especially using a metal pin brush. This, together with a slicker brush, will leave the coat tangle-free, soft, and straight. 

The coat grows rapidly and can easily cover the eyes of the dog. Trim the hair around the eyes regularly to ensure clear visibility of your dog. Schedule occasional visits to the groomer for professional care to maintain a shiny and well-trimmed coat. 

Bathe the dog at least once a month to clean the coat and skin. You can give a bath when needed, especially if your dog plays outside regularly. But, be careful not to overdo it as that can strip natural oils on the dog’s skin, drying out the skin and the coat. 

Training 

The Shih Tzu Pekingese mix is a breeze to train, as long as you start early in their puppy stage. The good thing is that they are bright and learn quickly, with a firm lead. 

They react positively to praise; therefore, they are easy to train with positive reinforcement methods. They are generally mature and can follow instructions, but their stubborn side can come in the way of successful training. 

Their independence and stubborn attitude make them feel superior and challenging when training. But, since they are people pleasers, regular praise will get them to shun that attitude during training. 

With patience and consistency, you can train them successfully. A good tip is to make the training sessions as short and brief as possible. They have short attention spans and are often distracted, so the shorter the training, the better. 

This, together with early training, will get the dog to catch on to commands and cues easily. Reward them with treats with the slightest progress to encourage them to learn and master commands. Make training fun by incorporating toys, games, and puzzles to keep it interactive. 

Shih Tzu Pekingese Health Issues

Like other designer dogs, Shih Tzu Pekingese mixes are prone to health issues that both parents are predisposed to. The most common health issue is breathing problems. 

Their flat face and muzzle are bound to cause breathing problems resulting in a condition known as brachycephalic airway syndrome. This condition can range in severity from mild discomfort to a fatal issue. 

The dog is also prone to skin allergies; they have sensitive skin, making them prone to allergies resulting from ticks and fleas. You can prevent this by using prevention products after walking your dog outside to keep them at bay. 

These are the major health issues that your Shih Tzu Pekingese mixes have. Here are other health conditions you should keep an eye on: 

  • Eye problems such as Corneal Ulcers, Entropion, and Dry Eye
  • Kidney stones
  • Patellar luxation
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Skinfold pyoderma
  • Cleft lip or palate
  • Overheating
  • Weight gain
  • Lameness
  • Ear infections such as Otitis Externa

You can catch any of these conditions early by taking your dog for regular checkups at the vet. Run health screening and tests at least once a year to examine the dog’s overall health and treat conditions as soon as they are detected. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long Do Shih Tzu Pekingese Mixes Live? 

This dog can live between 10 to 15 years with proper nutrition, exercise, and overall care. With regular checks at the vet, you can detect life-threatening conditions early and treat them accordingly, contributing to a longer life for your furball. 

How Much Do Shih Tzu Pekingese mizes cost? 

This designer dog can cost between $600 to $1000. The cost will depend on the breeder’s reputation, the litter size, tests and screening, location, and the generation of the puppy. The initial cost adds up according to your dog’s needs, including dog food, treats, bedding, toys, leashes, etc.

Is the Shih Tzu Pekingese Mix a Good Choice for Families?

The Shi Tzu Pekingese mix is an ideal dog for families; however, it might not do well with first-time dog owners. It is a high-maintenance dog and requires constant attention and care. It is adorable, affectionate, intelligent, and loyal, ideal for most families. 

Final Thoughts

The Shih Tzu Pekingese mix is an adorable, friendly dog for individuals and families alike. It is playful and loves the attention it gets from its owner; therefore, it is an ideal furball for people working from home, families with kids, and individuals who need a gentle lap dog.

Gifts for Dog Lovers

Do you know someone who loves their dog more than anything?

Then they’ll love these gifts! From kitchen accessories to stylish jewelry, we’ve got everything a pup lover could want.

Our selection of gifts for dog lovers is sure to have something perfect for the special person in your life.

Head over to our list of 50 Pawsome Gift Ideas for Dog Lovers to find that perfect gift!

Maureen G.

Maureen has been a Content Writer in the pet niche for over 5 years. She has vast knowledge on dog-related topics including dog breeds, dog health, dog care, and nutrition. With keen interest on the evolving world of dogs, Maureen stays on top of developments, specifically designer dogs. She is a part-time volunteer in dog shelters and rescue centers, therefore conversant with the day-to-day lives of dogs.

Recent Content