Shih Tzu Mixes: Popular Crosses and What the Research Says

How we researched this article: This guide draws on a University of California, Davis study of 27,254 dogs, a 2024 study of 584,734 dogs published in Scientific Reports, and the American Shih Tzu Club. Every source is listed at the end. Last reviewed: September 2026.

The Short Answer

A Shih Tzu mix is a cross between a Shih Tzu and another breed. Popular examples include the Shih-poo (Poodle), the Shorkie (Yorkshire Terrier), and the Malshi (Maltese).

These names are nicknames, not breeds. A Shih Tzu mix can take after either parent, so its size, coat, and personality are hard to predict. And contrary to a common sales pitch, research does not show that mixes are automatically healthier than purebred dogs.

Popular Shih Tzu Mixes

These are some of the most common crosses. The nicknames vary between sellers.

• Shih-poo: Shih Tzu × Poodle (usually a Toy or Miniature Poodle). Often marketed as low-shedding. Coats vary from puppy to puppy, and no dog is completely allergen-free.
• Shorkie: Shih Tzu × Yorkshire Terrier. A small dog that may have a terrier’s energy.
• Malshi: Shih Tzu × Maltese. Usually small with a long white or light coat.
• Shichi: Shih Tzu × Chihuahua. Can be very small, so puppy care matters.
• Havashu: Shih Tzu × Havanese. Two similar-sized companion breeds.
• Schnau-Tzu: Shih Tzu × Miniature Schnauzer.
• Jack Tzu: Shih Tzu × Jack Russell Terrier. Often more active than a Shih Tzu.
• Pug-Zu and Peke-a-Tzu: Shih Tzu × Pug or Pekingese. See the note on flat faces below.

Are Shih Tzu Mixes Healthier Than Purebreds?

This is the claim you will hear most often. The research is more mixed than the marketing.

What the UC Davis study found

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, looked at 24 inherited disorders in 27,254 dogs. For 10 disorders, purebreds were more likely to be affected. For 13, there was no difference. For one, a knee ligament injury, mixed-breed dogs were more likely to be affected. The researchers also found every disorder in the mixed-breed dogs.

In short, a mixed-breed dog can inherit the same problems as its purebred parents.

What the newest lifespan data shows

A 2024 study of 584,734 dogs in the UK found that purebred dogs had a slightly higher median life expectancy than crossbreeds: 12.7 years versus 12.0 years. The lead author has said the issue is complex and should not be reduced to pure versus cross.

The takeaway is simple. A puppy’s health depends on the health of its parents and the care it gets, not on whether it is a mix.

A Note on Flat Faces

Shih Tzus are a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed. When a Shih Tzu is crossed with another flat-faced breed, such as a Pug, Pekingese, or Brussels Griffon, the puppies are likely to have short muzzles too. Flat-faced dogs can have breathing trouble and handle heat poorly. Ask your vet to check your dog’s breathing and airway.

Be Careful With Unusual Crosses

Some sellers advertise Shih Tzu crosses with much larger breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever, or Labradoodle. Be skeptical of these listings.

• Ask to meet both parent dogs, or at least the mother.
• Ask for vet records and proof of parentage. A dog DNA test can confirm what a puppy really is.
• Remember that adult size is hard to predict when the parents are very different sizes.

Can Shih Tzu Mixes Be Registered?

The American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club register purebred dogs. A Shih-poo or Shorkie is not a recognized breed with either club. The American Shih Tzu Club, the AKC parent club for the breed, has published a statement on “designer dogs” that is worth reading before you buy a mix.

Buying or Adopting a Shih Tzu Mix in Canada or the US

• Meet the puppy’s mother and see where the puppies are raised.
• Ask for vet records, vaccination history, and any health testing on the parents.
• Be wary of sellers who charge extra for a trendy name or a “rare” cross.
• Consider adoption. Small mixed-breed dogs regularly come through shelters and rescues across Canada and the US.

Caring for a Shih Tzu Mix

Much of the care is the same as for a Shih Tzu. Regular grooming, daily tooth brushing, weight checks, and yearly vet visits matter for every small dog. Grooming needs depend on which parent’s coat your dog inherits.

See our guides to healthy weight, lifespan, and safe foods.

Safety first: Flat-faced crosses can inherit breathing and heat problems. Watch for loud breathing at rest, snoring while awake, gagging or tiring quickly on walks. Keep walks short in hot weather. Blue or gray gums, collapse or a struggle to breathe is an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Bellumori TP, et al. Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27,254 cases (1995–2010). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2013.
• University of California, Davis. Purebred dogs not always at higher risk for genetic disorders.
• McMillan KM, et al. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports, 2024.
• BBC Science Focus. Study finally reveals which dogs live the longest. 2025.
• American Shih Tzu Club. The Facts About “Imperial” Shih Tzu and “Designer Dogs”.

This article is for general information. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Read our medical disclaimer.