Shih Tzu mixes · placed by us
The Shih Poo: the Shih Tzu Poodle mix, honestly explained
The Shih Tzu Poodle mix we place in Singapore, from $3,888 all-in: the real temperament, the coat lottery, the HDB answer and the grooming bill, from Curious Tails, an AVS licensed shop.
Nelson and Kim, Curious Tails · AVS licence AS24J00046
What is a Shih Tzu Poodle mix?
The Shih Poo (also written Shihpoo or Shih-Poo) is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle. Adults typically weigh 4 to 8 kg, live about 10 to 15 years, and carry a low-shedding coat that still needs brushing several times a week plus a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks. It is a designer mix, not a registered breed, so size, coat and temperament vary between puppies, even in one litter. We place Shih-Poos in Singapore from $3,888 all-in.
Honest crossbreeds, licensed shop, published pricing
A mix we actually place, with the caveat up front
The Shih Poo is one of the Shih Tzu mixes we place alongside our purebred Shih Tzus, at the same published $3,888 to $4,888 all-in band, from our AVS licensed shop at 2 Balestier Road. Every Shih Poo puppy goes home vet-checked and microchipped, with vaccination records and breed identification of both parent breeds.
Here is the caveat most sellers skip: the Shih Poo is a designer dog, and like every designer crossbreed, a cross is variability, not an upgrade. We will not tell you a Shih Poo is guaranteed hypoallergenic, or healthier than a purebred, because neither claim survives contact with a real litter. What the cross gives you is a genuine lottery of two excellent parent breeds, and we would rather you know that before you fall for the teddy-bear face.
The Shih Poo, at a glance
- Parents: Shih Tzu x Toy Poodle
- Adult size: about 4 to 8 kg
- Lifespan: around 10 to 15 years
- Coat: low-shedding, high-grooming
- Price: $3,888 to $4,888 all-in
- HDB: cross of two approved breeds
What the cross actually gives you (and what it can't promise)
The Toy Poodle Shih Tzu cross is a first-generation mix, and each puppy inherits a genuinely random deal from both sides. The Toy Poodle parent contributes brains, athleticism and the curl; the Shih Tzu parent contributes sturdiness, an easygoing nature and the famous flat-faced charm. Which pup gets which is decided by biology, not by the seller's brochure.
That means the coat lottery is real: one litter can hold a tightly curled pup, a wavy pup and a nearly straight-coated pup. Muzzle length varies too; some Shih-Poos keep a shorter face closer to the Shih Tzu side, which matters for Singapore heat, as we cover below.
| From the Toy Poodle | From the Shih Tzu |
|---|---|
| Sharper trainability and eagerness to please | Easygoing, affectionate lapdog nature |
| Tight curl, athletic build | Sturdier frame, straighter coat |
| Longer muzzle, better heat tolerance | Shorter muzzle, more heat sensitivity |
| Higher energy, needs mental work | Calm indoors, modest exercise needs |
Size and looks: how big does a Shih Poo get?
A full grown Shih Poo typically weighs about 4 to 8 kg and stands roughly 20 to 33 cm at the shoulder, small enough for any flat. The wide range is honest: Shih Poo size tracks the Toy Poodle parent, and no seller can promise the exact full grown number at eight weeks old.
The look most buyers want is the teddy bear dog: round face, button eyes, wavy coat, and many Shih-Poos land exactly there. Just remember the coat can come in curly, wavy or straight, in any of the colours both parent breeds carry.
4–8kg
Adult weight
20–33cm
Shoulder height
10–15yrs
Typical lifespan
4–6wks
Groom cadence (SG)
Temperament: what a Shih Poo is like to live with
The Shih Poo temperament is affectionate, people-oriented and moderate-energy, which is exactly the profile that suits HDB and condo living. The mix is friendly with children and gentle enough for elderly owners, and playful without needing a park athlete's schedule.
Shih Poo owners commonly report a velcro-dog attachment: the mix wants to be where you are, all day. The Shih Tzu stubborn streak can survive the cross too, so housetraining takes patience; the Poodle side usually makes up for it with quick learning once your puppy decides you are worth listening to. Hill's Pet's Shih Poo profile describes the same blend: loving, lively and a little wilful.
We'd rather talk you out of the wrong breed than sell you the wrong dog.
Is a Shih Poo HDB-approved in Singapore?
Yes. The Shih Tzu sits at item 48 on the HDB approved small-breed list and the Toy Poodle is on the same list, and a cross of two approved breeds also counts as approved under HDB's guidelines on keeping pets. So a Shih Poo is legal in your flat, the same way are Shih Tzus HDB approved resolves to a clean yes for the purebred.
The rules that come with approval: one dog per HDB flat, a mandatory AVS dog licence, and a fine of up to $4,000 for keeping a non-approved dog. We complete the licensing paperwork at purchase, so there is no grey area to manage.
Shih Poo x HDB, the legal facts
- Shih Tzu: item 48 on the approved list
- Toy Poodle: also on the approved list
- Cross of two approved breeds: approved
- Limit: one dog per HDB flat
- Fine: up to $4,000 if non-approved
- AVS licence: handled at purchase
The coat: low-shedding is not low-maintenance
A Shih Poo coat is hair, not fur: it sheds very little and grows continuously, and in Singapore humidity it mats fast. Budget brushing several times a week as the floor, daily if you keep the coat long, plus a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks. US guides say every 6 to 8 weeks; our verified Singapore cadence is tighter because the humidity here tangles a curly-wavy coat quicker.
The money side is the part we insist buyers hear before price talk. A groom runs about $75 to $120 a session here, which is roughly $900 to $1,400 a year, for 10 to 15 years. The full breakdown lives in our guide to Shih Tzu grooming in Singapore; the Shih Poo inherits every line of that budget, sometimes with extra dematting fees when the Poodle curl is strong.
| Item | Cadence | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing at home | Several times a week, daily for long coats | Your time, a slicker brush |
| Professional groom | Every 4 to 6 weeks in SG humidity | $75–$120 a session |
| Annual grooming total | Ongoing, for the dog's life | About $900–$1,400 a year |
| Matting hotspots | Check behind ears, armpits, hind legs | Dematting fees if neglected |
The honesty gate we ask before price
A Shih Poo needs brushing several times a week and a $75–120 groom every 4–6 weeks (about $900–1,400/year). Ready for that? Message us. If not, no hard feelings, and no puppy.
Are Shih Poos hypoallergenic?
No dog is allergen-free, and that includes every Poodle mix ever sold as "hypoallergenic". A low-shedding coat reduces loose hair around your flat; it does not remove the dander and saliva proteins that actually trigger allergies.
If someone in your household has a dog allergy, spend real time with the actual puppy before committing. We refuse the guaranteed-hypoallergenic pitch outright, because it is the most-abused claim in the designer-dog market and it sets allergic families up for heartbreak.
The honest allergy answer
- Low-shedding: yes, genuinely
- Allergen-free: no dog is
- Dander and saliva still carry allergens
- Allergy household? Meet the puppy first
Health: what a Shih Tzu Poodle mix can inherit
A cross can inherit conditions from both parent breeds, not just the milder half; "hybrid vigour" is a breeder slogan, not a health plan. The realistic watchlist for a Shih Poo, per PetMD's Shih-Poo profile, is the familiar small-dog set: patellar luxation (a kneecap that slips), dental crowding that leads to periodontal disease, tear stains, and ear infections in those drop ears.
Pups that inherit the shorter Shih Tzu muzzle also keep some of the flat-face heat sensitivity. None of this is fear-mongering; it is a routine-care list. Daily teeth attention, weekly ear checks and a vet who knows small breeds cover most of it, and the typical Shih Poo lives around 10 to 15 years.
| Condition | What it means | Your routine |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | Kneecap slips out of place | Vet checks, healthy weight, no stair marathons |
| Dental crowding | Small jaw, crowded teeth, gum disease | Brushing, dental checks, chew management |
| Tear stains | Reddish staining under the eyes | Daily face wipe, keep the area dry |
| Ear infections | Drop ears trap heat and moisture | Weekly checks, dry ears after baths |
| Heat sensitivity | Shorter-muzzled pups cope worse | Early walks, aircon breaks, watch the breathing |
Singapore heat and the Shih Poo
Singapore's climate is the daily reality no US breed guide prices in. Walk your Shih Poo early or late and skip midday entirely; a longer Poodle-side muzzle often copes better with heat than a purebred Shih Tzu's flat face, but never assume your pup drew that card until you see it.
Heavy, laboured breathing on a warm walk is your signal to stop, cool the dog down and call a vet fast if it does not settle. The practical Singapore choices are simple: the shorter puppy cut over a show coat, shaded routes, and aircon breaks in the hottest hours. This is the climate-awareness step of our matching framework, and it applies to every flat-faced or part-flat-faced dog we place.
Heat stress is an emergency
Heavy laboured breathing, bright-red gums or wobbling on a hot day means cool your dog down immediately and get to a vet. Do not wait it out.
Shih Poo vs purebred Shih Tzu vs other mixes
The right pick depends on what you want to be predictable. A purebred gives you the known quantity: our purebred Shih Tzu puppies come with a well-documented size, coat and temperament range. A mix trades that predictability for a blend, and each mix blends differently.
Want the Poodle curl and sharper trainability? The Shih Poo is your cross. Want the softest lapdog blend? Look at the Malshi, the Maltese cross, or the bolder Pomshi from the Pomeranian side. Every one of them carries the same grooming budget honesty; none of them escapes the groomer.
| If you want | Pick | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Predictable size, coat and temperament | Purebred Shih Tzu | Flat-face heat care, same grooming bill |
| Poodle curl, sharper trainability | Shih Poo | Coat and size lottery, mats fast |
| The softest, gentlest lapdog blend | Malshi (x Maltese) | More delicate frame, tear-stain upkeep |
| A bold, foxy spitz spark | Pomshi (x Pomeranian) | More bark, double-coat shedding possible |
Who a Shih Poo is NOT for
Honestly, some buyers should walk away from this mix, and we tell them so. The Shih Poo is the wrong dog for anyone who cannot budget the groomer for the next decade, for buyers who need a guaranteed coat type or exact adult size, and for severe-allergy households betting everything on the word "hypoallergenic".
It is also the wrong buy if the cheapest possible price is the whole criterion, because the cheap end of this market is where unlicensed sellers live. If any of that is you, we would genuinely rather point you to a better-fitting breed than take your deposit.
Skip the Shih Poo if
- You can't budget $900–$1,400 a year for grooming
- You need a guaranteed coat type or exact adult size
- A severe allergy household is relying on "hypoallergenic"
- You are shopping purely for the lowest price
What a Shih Poo costs in Singapore, all-in
The Shih Poo price Singapore buyers pay at our shop is $3,888-$4,888 all-in, the same published band as our purebred Shih Tzus, and it is on this page because we think a price you have to WhatsApp us to discover is a price you should distrust. Search Shih Poo puppies for sale locally and the competitor page for this mix shows $0 and no real puppies; US breeder listings run about USD 2,200 to 4,500, attributed for context only, and none of that includes Singapore licensing or delivery.
The other end of the market is the real trap. Unlicensed sellers move smuggled puppies without proper veterinary care, parvovirus is the common outcome, and one buyer was fined $7,000 for buying a smuggled dog. Saving $1,000 upfront against a $5,000 to $10,000 parvovirus bill is not a saving.
$3,888
From, all-in
$4,888
Top of the band
$533
Starter kit value
$7,000
Fine for buying smuggled
What's included with every puppy
All-in means the number you see is the number you pay, with the setup work done for you. Every Shih Poo goes home with the full package we give our purebreds, and the first professional groom is in there deliberately: it books the grooming habit into your calendar from month one.
Included in the all-in price
- 30-item starter kit, $533 itemized
- Free home delivery and playpen setup
- Free lesson with an AVS-certified trainer
- First professional groom included
- AVS licensing handled at purchase
- 5-day bring-back support if unwell
- Free boarding up to 1 month after deposit
Vaccinations, microchip and going home
A Shih Poo puppy follows the same regulated path as any dog we place. Core vaccinations run at weeks 6, 8 and 12, with deworming at every visit, and your puppy goes home at about week 9, roughly a week after the second vaccination. Microchipping and the vet health check happen before handover, and the vaccination records travel with the puppy.
Licensing is simpler than most first-timers expect. A puppy under 5 months licenses at $13.50 for the first year; sterilised dogs stay at $13.50 a year, or a $35 one-time lifetime licence. First-time owners complete the short AVS pet ownership course online, and we sort the paperwork with you at purchase.
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| Week 6 | First core vaccination, deworming |
| Week 8 | Second core vaccination, deworming |
| ~Week 9 | Puppy goes home, licence filed, microchip done |
| Week 12 | Third core vaccination, deworming |
| Year 1 on | Annual booster; sterilisation from ~7 months unlocks the $13.50/yr or $35 lifetime licence |
Buying from a licensed shop vs everywhere else
Any legitimate pet shop in Singapore appears on the AVS public registry of licensed pet shops; if a seller is not on it, walk away, whatever the price. Our licence is AS24J00046, under Curious Tails, and we would rather you check it than take our word.
The track record behind every Shih Poo Singapore families take home from us: 2+ years operating, 45 five-star Google reviews, and 30+ Shih Tzus placed, purebreds and mixes together. That is not the biggest number in the market; it is a real one, which is the point of this whole site.
Verify us, please
- AVS licence AS24J00046 (Curious Tails)
- Listed on the AVS public registry
- 45 five-star Google reviews
- 30+ Shih Tzus placed in Singapore
- 2 Balestier Road #01-701, S320002
Other Shih Tzu mixes we place
Frequently asked questions
Is a Shih Poo HDB-approved in Singapore?
Yes. Both parent breeds are on the HDB approved small-breed list (the Shih Tzu at item 48, the Toy Poodle also listed), and a cross of two approved breeds counts as approved. The rules: one dog per flat, a mandatory AVS licence, and a fine of up to $4,000 for a non-approved dog.
How much does a Shih Poo cost in Singapore?
From a licensed shop, our Shih Poo price is $3,888 to $4,888 all-in, the same published band as our purebred Shih Tzus. All-in includes the 30-item starter kit, home delivery and playpen setup, a training lesson, the first professional groom, and AVS licensing handled at purchase.
Are Shih Poos hypoallergenic?
No dog is allergen-free. The Shih Poo coat is genuinely low-shedding, which cuts loose hair, but dander and saliva allergens remain. Allergy sufferers should spend time with the actual puppy before committing; we do not sell any dog as guaranteed hypoallergenic.
How big does a Shih Poo get?
A full grown Shih Poo typically weighs about 4 to 8 kg and stands 20 to 33 cm at the shoulder. Adult size tracks the Toy Poodle parent and varies between puppies, so no seller can promise an exact adult size at eight weeks.
How long do Shih Poos live?
Around 10 to 15 years is the typical Shih Poo lifespan reported by veterinary sources. Some owners report longer; treat claims above that range as owner-reported rather than typical.
How often does a Shih Poo need grooming?
In Singapore's humidity, brush several times a week (daily for long coats) and book a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks at about $75 to $120 a session, roughly $900 to $1,400 a year. US guides say 6 to 8 weeks; the local humidity mats a curly-wavy coat faster than that.
Is a Shih Poo better than a purebred Shih Tzu?
Neither is better; they trade different things. The purebred gives predictable size, coat and temperament; the Shih Poo adds Poodle trainability and curl but rolls the dice on coat, size and muzzle length. Both need the same grooming budget, and we place both.
Meet your Shih Tzu
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and routine, and we'll tell you honestly if a Shih Tzu fits.
Not sure a Shih Poo fits?
Tell us about your home, your allergy situation and your grooming budget. If a Shih Poo is the wrong pick, we will point you to a better one.
Compare all our mixes