Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix
The Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Golden Retriever and the Shih Tzu. This is obviously only possible by inseminating a female Golden with a male Shih Tzu. They should be good with the family and other pets - if properly socialized! Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix. Note that this hybrid can consist of the brindle or other iterations.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix puppies for sale.
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Here are some pictures of the Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix History
All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Golden Retriever History:
The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. When they were initially bred and created the existing retriever dogs weren’t cutting it for the wealthy Scottish elite who liked to hunt waterfowl. The existing retriever breeds were inadequate for retrieving downed game from both water and land. Retrieving from both land and water was necessary because the hunting grounds of the time were pocketed with marshy ponds and rivers. Consequently, the best water spaniels were crossed with the existing retrievers, resulting in the establishment of the breed today known as the Golden Retriever.
Shih Tzu History:
The origin of the Shih Tzu dates back many centuries to ancient China and Tibet. It is thought that the breed developed by crossing miniature Chinese breeds with small Tibetan breeds – in particular, Lhasa Apsos with the Pekingese. The Shih Tzu was always a favorite of the Emperors of China. During the Tang Dynasty, a pair of these dogs were said to be given to the Chinese court by the king of Vigur. More were sent later by the people of the Ho Chou. In the mid-1600s, small dogs which resembled lions were brought from Tibet to China, and these dogs were used to develop the Shih Tzu breed we know today. The Shih Tzu was popular during the Ming Dynasty as well, favored by royalty and commoners alike.
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix Size and Weight
Golden Retriever
Height: 21 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
Shih Tzu
Height: 8 - 11 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 9 - 16 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 16 years
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix Personality
This mix is a very intelligent, devoted and loyal companion. Both of these dogs are very friendly and loving dogs. There will be a unique offset of the two energy levels. She is calm, intelligent, confident and eager to please. While friendly she is wary of strangers and alert making a good watchdog. She gets along well with everyone and is quite a well mannered dog! She loves to have fun and play too and will need some outdoor space to do this in. She is loving, reliable, brave and warm.
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Dalmatian mixed with the Shih Tzu might be prone to skin problems, allergies, joint dysplasia
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix Care
What are the grooming requirements?
This will probably be a more than moderate shedder with the Shih Tzu offsetting some of the more aggressive shedding from the Retriever. Get ready to invest in a good vacuum and keep your floors clean anyways. Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.
What are the exercise requirements?
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level but don’t push them too hard as the Shih Tzu will not need as much exercise as the Golden. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog.
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. A tired dog is a good dog.
What are the training requirements?
This is an intelligent dog that should be easy to train. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
Shih Tzu Golden Retriever Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.