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Pitbull Mix with Shih Tzu: Everything You Need to Know!

Imagine a small dog cuddling with you. It’s all furry, almost like a Shih Tzu. But looks kinda strong, like a pitbull. You guessed it right, yeah, it’s a Pitbull mix with Shih Tzu.  

These dogs are the friendliest. They’ll entertain your family and friends as if they’re also a part of your life. However, they cost a handful amount. So, it’s easy to confuse whether you should adopt this dog.

Do you want to know more about this Shih Tzu pitbull mix breed? Then, keep reading the article below, where I explain every aspect of this mix. At the end of the article, you’ll know whether you should adopt a Shih Tzu pitbull mix or not.

Pitbull mixed with Shih Tzu puppy
via Instagram@cully_somer

The personality of Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix

When you have a Pitbull mixed with Shih Tzu, it creates a beautiful breed called Pitshih. Shih Tzu pitbull mixes are fluffy and cheerful kind of puppies. They get the stern look from Pitbull and cuteness from Shih Tzu. Also, they are healthier than purebred dogs. So they don’t need any intense exercises.

These dogs are cross-bred, so they have different personalities and appearances than purebreds. Follow the segments below if you’re interested in how this breed of Shih Tzu pitbull mix looks. 

Lifespan

A Pitbull and Shih Tzu mix have a lifespan of around 8 to 16 years. But the lifespan depends on how you’re taking care of it. It won’t live as expected if the Shih Tzu pitbull mix doesn’t get the required food, water, shelter, grooming, and health checkups.

Speaking about its parents, a Pitbull can live from 8 to 14 years. However, if you close search Shih Tzu, they can live up to 16 years. The mixed companion breed Shih Tzu pitbull mixes fall within the average lifespan of its parents.

Size

This mixed breed Shih Tzu pitbull mixes can grow from 10 to 25 inches in height. This brings a weighing difference.

It can weigh from 15 to 30 pounds depending on its size. So, compared with its parents, a Pitshih falls between a medium-sized American Pitbull Terrier and a small-sized Shih Tzu.  

pitbull mix with shih tzu key points

Appearance

Like its parent, Shih Tzu, the Shih Tzu Pitbull mixes have a furry, cute appearance. I’ll list the significantly noticeable appearances below so that you know what this dog looks like:

Face And Fur

The Pitshih looks more like the Shih Tzu having an elongated face. Because of its silky fur, it seems like a fluff ball. But the mix breeds’ fur isn’t as long as the Shih Tzu. The length is something in between Shih Tzu and Pitbull.

Skin Variation

Now, Pitshihs come in various colors, unlike American pit bull terriers. It depends on the color of their parents – the Pitbull and the Shih Tzu.

So, the mixed Shih Tzu pitbull mix breed can range between yellow, brown, chocolate brown, and black etc.

Temperament

The pleasant temperaments of Pitbulls might make you feel good. Well, both the Pitbull and Shih Tzu have friendly temperaments. So, their mixed Shih Tzu pitbull mix breed has no reason to be different. They are enthusiastic creatures and maintain a caring companionship with humans.

But they can get aggressive if they’re not raised in a friendly environment. They also have strong jaws like Pitbulls. So, if you can’t socialize your mixed puppy correctly, they might injure people in their way. But don’t worry; it’s a rare case.  

Personality

So, if the Shih Tzu pitbull mixes are socialized correctly, it shows a great personality. They are loyal and outgoing types of dogs. They show friendliness with children and offer family companionship.

Interestingly, these mixed breeds are intelligent by nature. They are quick to learn commands. But they are not as independent as Pitbulls.

Should You Actually Get a Pitbull Mix with Shih Tzu?

Now, adopting a pitbull and Shih Tzu mix breed doesn’t only depend on the animal’s characteristics. It also depends on your age, affordability, and your surroundings.

Check the segments below to evaluate whether you’re ready to hire this Pitbull mix with the Shih Tzu breed.

pros and cons of shih tzu pitbull dog
Pitbull Shih Tzu Pros & Cons

Age

Pitbull Mix Shih Tzu breeds are very gentle. They don’t require much intense training or exercise either. So, this Shih Tzu pitbull mix breed is perfect for elderly people. You can also adopt one for your kid too!

This Shih Tzu pitbull mix is the perfect match for all ages. But this won’t be the right breed if you’re looking for a jogger dog.   

Financial Condition

It costs around $1,000 to $2,000 to buy a Pitbull and Shih Tzu mix breed. Some dogs even cost around $4,000, being a high-quality top-blood breed. And if you’re thinking about adopting, you have to keep $300 to $500 in hand as adopting costs.

Apart from buying/adopting a Pitshih, you have to spend about $500-$2500 per month to raise this dog.

Family Type

As I’ve said before, the Pitbull Shih Tzu mix is a friendly dog breed. They are affectionate and love to socialize. So, if you have a warm and kind family, you should bring this furry friend home. Well, it’s also a good match if you’re single. 

Living Conditions

Pitbull Shih Tzu mix can live in any type of living condition. They’re not too big. So, whether you have an apartment, a condo, or a townhouse, you can have this Pitbull mix with a Shih dog. They can also comfortably live in a single-family home too.

Availability

Pitbull Shih Tzu mix seeks a lot of attention just like its parent breed Shih Tzu. They can suffer from separation anxiety in some cases. So, your mixed breed will feel lonely if you’re a busy person.

Again, this Shih Tzu pitbull mix needs constant care and a positive social environment at a young age. Lack of a proper social environment can make them aggressive. So, you have to spare more time for this pitbull Shih Tzu mix breed.

Raising a Pitbull Mix with Shih Tzu Breed

pitbull facts

So, do you feel like adopting a Pitbull Shih Tzu mix? If so, you’ll need to read this segment from top to bottom. Then, you can raise a happy, cheerful dog by taking care of your Pitbull mix Shih Tzu breed.

And the first step is to train your dog from the beginning.

Training

You should start training the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix with treats like dog training. If you need clarification about how to train your dog, you can take training classes and other ideas.

So, you need to take care of two types of training. These training types are described below.

Potty Training

You must be patient with the Shih Tzu pitbull mix when potty training because it’s a long-term process. Cover the carpeted areas while your mix breed is being trained. Restrict the rooms you want to keep neat all the time.

For training, take it to the potty area and command it to pee or poop. In the beginning, you can take the dog for training every 30 minutes. Make sure you give it a small treat if it follows your command.

Keep a schedule of the Shih Tzu pitbull mix potty. Then, after repeating the same process for a week or more, your Pitbull mix with Shih pet will finally complete potty training.    

Crate Training

The second type of training the Pitbull mix with Shih Tzu requires is crate training. It’s necessary to make your dog comfortable in a crate. This helps when you go for vacations or outside without leaving the dog at home.

So, you must ensure the crate is spacious and comfortable enough for your Shih Tzu pitbull mix to stay in. Here’s how you can crate train your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix:

  • First, introduce the crate to the dog and make it comfortable.
  • Practice closing the door as the dog becomes more familiar with the crate.
  • Then, step away from the crate for a brief period. Next, let it play or nap inside the crate.
  • Lastly, stay out for longer and see if your pet is coping.

The Pitbull mix with Shih Tzu will be fully trained with some practice.

Socializing

Now socializing your Shih Tzu pitbull mix. Don’t forget the essential training part – Socializing. You should be gentle and affectionate towards your dog from an early age.

The Shih Tzu Pitbull cross can pick aggressive tendencies from its parent Pitbull. So, the earlier you can train it to be sociable and friendly, the less aggressive nature it will show.  

Dietary

A Pitbull mix Shih Tzu needs 2 to 2.5 cups of protein-rich dog food daily. The amount differs depending on the size of the dog. You should consult with a vet to determine the perfect amount of dog food.

Now, if the crossbreed is smaller, you must divide the meals into smaller portions. The puppy will require 3-4 meals frequently per day. On the contrary, 2 meals are enough for a medium Pitshih.

However, you must track how much food you feed your Shih Tzu pitbull mix. Usually, this breed tends to get obese faster. So, if you’re giving more food than required, the dog will put on body weight more quickly. And it will be painful for the dog.

Grooming

Giving your Pitbull mix Shih Tzu a full grooming session depends on their coat’s length and texture variation. Some Pitshihs tend to have long furs and coat texture like Shih Tzu. So, you need to groom it like Shih Tzus by brushing it 3 to 4 times a week.

Again, if the breed has the Pitbull gene more dominant, it’ll require less grooming. In this case, brushing them once a week will get the job done. The same goes for nail trimming.

However, you must bathe the Pitshihs every 2 to 3 months. This helps your mix puppy keep clean and prevents the puppy from having dry skin.

shih tzu facts
5 Shih Tzu Features

Health Care

To keep your Shih Tzu Pitbull mix healthy, you must do a complete health checkup every once in a while. This puppy tends to have three common diseases that make it suffer. These issues are briefly discussed below:

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

This is a breathing issue that the Shih Tzu Pitbull breed can pick from the Shih Tzu. It appears when the muzzles are short. As a result, the airways get hindered and cause a breathing problem in the dog.

Dental Problems

You might notice your Pitshih having dental issues due to overcrowded teeth. It happens when the skull is too small for the teeth. It is also noticeable in other crossbreeds.

Joint and Back Issues

Pitshihs also have hip issues and elbow dysplasia when they age. It doesn’t happen to every dog, but it’s a common scenario. Having intervertebral disc disease is also painful for a Pitshih, that should get proper treatment.

FAQ

What are a bulldog and a Shih Tzu called?

A bulldog and a Shih Tzu mix breed are called French Bull Tzu. This breed is highly cheerful with people. They are kind and affectionate. They have medium to long hair with a variety of coating textures.

What does a Pitbull and a Shih Tzu mix look like?

A Pitbull and a Shih Tzu mix look like a combination of both. This breed has a strong jaw, like the pitbull. But they have long fur and various coating textures like the Shih Tzu. In addition, they are sized as small to medium sized dogs and are much more friendly.

What can Shih Tzus be mixed with?

Shih Tzus can be mixed with more than 10 different dog breeds. Commonly Shih Tzus can be mixed with Poodle, Chihuahua, Yorkie, Maltese, Pomeranian, Bichon Frise, Pug, Schnauzer, Dachshund, and Havanese dogs. 

Final Verdict

So, that’s all the information you need to know about Pitbull mix with Shih Tzu. But if you’re invested in adopting a Pitshih, here’s a small tip.

You must train your dog when it’s a puppy. This way, it will develop good habits and behavior.

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