If you want to buy or adopt a playful and loyal companion, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a great choice for you. A mix-breed between the Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian, these tiny dogs are known for their big disposition that makes them friendly and loves time with family.
Also known as Shiranians, these canines have few health concerns unlike their parents with a basketful of such. In fact, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix dog breeds are among the top mix breeds that you will find in the designer dogs market today. Other than their personality, Pom-Chis are adorable with their hypoallergenic long coats but are delicate due to their small size.
Most mix breed dogs inherit traits from both parents or favor one. So we are certain you have loads of questions like ‘What is the dog’s temperament?’ ‘Do they resemble both parents or favor one?’ ‘Which health conditions are they prone to?’
All these questions determine whether the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix are perfect for your family and we have all these answers and more. Scroll down and you will learn about Shiranians.
Table of Contents
What is Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix?
A Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a designer dog breed between the adorable Shih Tzu and the intelligent Pomeranian. Both parents of this crossbreed are purebreds that fall under the tiny group category breed of dogs. Shiranians are popular for their small stature and cuteness, as well as their friendly, smart, and playful temperament.
Being a mixed breed, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix can inherit any genetics from the parents or have a blend of both. So, if you find one Shiranian looking a little different from another, you now understand the reason why. In a nutshell, these dogs stand 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 4 lbs. and 12 lbs. as full adults and a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.
Other Names
Other names for the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix include Shiranian, Pom-Shi, Pom-Tzu, Shih-Pom, Shi-Pom, and Shih A Pom. However, Shiranian is a recognized name in clubs such as the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Designer Breed Registry, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
History
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix breed of dogs is believed to have been existent naturally over a period. However, deliberate breeding by designer dog breeders for the Shiranian began in the late 1990s, probably in North America. Designer dog breeds, however, have been around for nearly the last two decades.
The main reason for breeding the mix was to eradicate inbreeding and boost health by watering down the common health problems found in purebreds. The popularity of the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix dog breeds elevated as the demand for the puppies rose. If you want the best pup, consider getting it from a shelter or rescue group.
For more information on the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix, let us have a short review of the parents.
Parents
The best way to know about a crossbreed’s temperament, appearance, size, life expectancy, and more is to have an in-depth look at their parents. Here, we shall review both the Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian – parents of the Shiranian or Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix.
- The Shih Tzu
Did you know that Shih Tzu is one of the 14 ancient breeds of dogs?
The Shih Tzu or little lion is a purebred that was specifically bred for companionship and boasts a joyful, outgoing, and affectionate temperament. This is the type of dog that loves following you from one room to another and likes being on your laps or joining you for walks. However, Shih Tzus now are trained for both obedience and agility contests.
Shih Tzus boast an elite background for being royal Chinese family pets in the Ming Dynasty era. They are characterized by long flowing hair, loyalty, and excellent beauty that shows they were bred as royal pets. In fact, they have a charm even for people that are unexcited about dogs and their tiny size makes them highly adaptable.
Both male and female Shih Tzus stand 9 to 10 ½ inches tall with a weight of 9 lbs. to 16 lbs. and have an alert and lively personality that allows them to bond with family and friends. Although healthy, they are prone to health issues such as allergies, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, bladder stones & infections, juvenile renal dysplasia, eye problems, ear infections, teeth problems, snuffles, portosystemic liver shunt, reverse sneezing, and umbilical hernia.
Caring for the Shih Tzu is easy with daily grooming to prevent matting and keeping their coat shiny, trimming the nails, cleaning the eyes and ears, and bathing them occasionally.
You should also know that they are prone to heat exhaustion
- The Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a Spitz-type dog breed categorized under the toy dog breed due to its size and is offspring of large sled dog breeds. As the name suggests, the dog breed’s name is derived from the region of Pomerania located in northwest Poland and Northeast Germany – Central Europe.
These dogs wear a welcoming, smart, playful, friendly, overenthusiastic, and active temperament that makes them outstanding companions. Like the Shih Tzu, they are capable of engaging in agility and obedient contests. Also known as Poms, they catch many dog enthusiasts’ eyes with their pretty, furry, and spirited appearance but can be somewhat independent and overly bold.
Pomeranians stand 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh 3 lbs. to 7 lbs. Although some can be as large as 12 lbs. to 14 lbs. or more and can make exceptional children companions. And while they are typically healthy, they are prone to health conditions such as allergies, eye issues, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes Disease, dental issues, and collapsed trachea.
Caring for Pomeranians requires play sessions or daily longer walks which means you will buy very many toys to prevent boredom. Since they have a short attention span, they need brief training sessions with positive reinforcement. Feed them ¼ to ½ cup of premium kibble each day.
Brushing your Pomeranian twice weekly during shedding keeps the skin and coat healthy, bathing him monthly using dog shampoo and conditioner, trim their nails and brush their teeth.
Breed Characteristic & Standards
Most Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mixes are portrayed as friendly and full of life with a tiny size that makes them the ideal lap dog. Shiranians have moderate energy levels which means that they might like a good doze and a session to play. However, they have a jealous streak.
Generally, Shi-Poms do delight in attention and human contact and would take plenty of pleasure in walks and playtime. These pups will inherit traits from both parents and while their attributes can vary greatly, they are likely going to fall in the middle of the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian parents.
Shiranian’s Shih Tzu parent is stubborn but with a big personality, cute, friendly, and alert. Pomeranians, on the other hand, are smart, active, and highly trainable. So, although Shiranians might be unwilling to learn a new trick, they are very trainable due to their Pom parent.
These dogs are quick to trust which makes them terrible watchdogs and hate being left alone for long times as they can be depressed from separation anxiety which can bring some health issues. However, they love attention and are among the most affectionate dogs you will find out there.
What do they look like?
Typically, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a small dog that comes with a thick, straight or long slight curly double coat. The coat is available in a range of colors including tan, gold, black, red, merle, orange, brown, brindle, and white.
The Shiranian is considered to be hypoallergenic which is excellent for people who love dogs but are allergic to them. Their double coat is dense enough to keep them protected during winter and soft to keep your Pom-Shi cool through summer.
Size, Height, and Weight
As mentioned earlier, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a tiny pooch and stands 7 to 12 inches tall in height with a weight of approx. 4 lbs. to 15 lbs. as adults. However, this is highly dependent on the parent the offspring favors most.
So, if they favor the Shih Tzu parent, they might be some pounds bigger and a little smaller if it is the Pomeranian parent. On which side of the height spectrum is your Shiranian?
Lifespan
With the correct diet, a hale and hearty Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Dietary Needs/Feeding
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix, like other canines, should eat high-quality dry dog food. The dog food must also be specifically crafted with moderate energy for small dog breeds such as the Shiranian. This way, your dog will thrive well in good health and have a quality life expectancy.
Since Shiranians are prone to obesity, you should be careful of the amount of food you pour on their bowl, stick to a particular feeding schedule, and limit the number of treats you give. Their dietary needs will change as they progress in age – from puppyhood to adulthood and senior age.
Consult your vet on the specific feeding depending on your Shiranian’s weight, health, and energy.
Temperament
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix are intelligent and smart which explains why he picks up commands fast and enthusiastically. In fact, he will complete any given chore and trick easily. The mix is very affectionate which makes him an outstanding family pet but this over-attachment with family leaves him predisposed to separation anxiety which can cause depression. So, a Shiranian needs steady human companionship.
Shiranians are friendly and kind to many folks, making them awful watchdogs as they tend to welcome strangers rather than barking at them to drive them off. However, they are excited to learn and can get along with other pets and animals if socialized from an early age.
This mix can be jealous if he sees the attention he deserves is directed to another and can do anything to reclaim it.
Health
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a very healthy breed of dogs. Unlike their parents who suffer from lots of health issues, Shiranians are prone to a few. And while they make superb pets, one of their major problems is that they are susceptible to depression from separation anxiety. This can lead to various health issues.
The Shiranian parents are predisposed to hip dysplasia which means that their offspring are likely to inherit this condition. Other possible health conditions in these mixes include cataracts, allergies, hypothyroidism, and hypoglycemia.
Having said that, make sure that your Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is groomed regularly and have vet visits for checkups.
Grooming
Do they shed a lot?
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix shedding can be either infrequent or seasonally depending on the parent the puppy inherits from. However, Shiranians shed a lot especially when the pups are changing their coats. Typically, these dogs have long coats which can mat easily if not combed daily.
When you bath your Shiranian, use a mild soap to keep the coat clean and lustrous then dry him using a towel instead of the blow-dry method because they have rather sensitive coats. Compared to other dogs, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is high maintenance with daily brushing because they have a double coat.
Companionship with Children
The Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix makes an outstanding family dog and is good with children just like his parents. Due to their tiny size, however, Shiranians are prone to injuries especially when interacting with small kids caused mostly by accidental drops or being stepped on.
As such, Shiranians are best suited for families with older kids who understand how to handle them gently during play. But if you teach your kids how to approach Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix from their young age, the dog can be an excellent companion.
Training
Although small in size, the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix is a quick learner which makes the dogs highly trainable. As with all dogs, especially tiny ones, the best training, to begin with, should be obedience since the Shiranian has an innate nature of eagerness to get your attention. You should know that their Shih Tzu parent is stubborn which might harden training if forced.
Early socialization and crate training should follow obedience and are the training that you should center on when with your Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix. During this time, introduce basic commands such as ‘come’ ‘sit’ ‘go’, and more as well as good grooming to your pup.
For optimal results during your Shiranian training, using positive reinforcement is suggested in addition to vocal praises and treats. Since he loves seeking attention, he will do anything for a treat. One of the best things about the Pom-Shi is that their Pomeranian parent is highly trainable.
Cost
How much does it cost to have and maintain one?
It might seem unbelievable but the Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix might come with a very high price tag that does not match its size, especially when purchasing from a dog breeder. Shiranians cost somewhere between $250 and $1,300 depending on the age, size, and pedigree of the pooch.
The maintenance cost of the Shiranian is approx. $1,150 per year taking into account veterinary visits, buying toys, neutering, high-quality kibble, pet licensing, chipping, travel costs, and more. Shiranians might be tiny but are high to maintain.
Shiranian: Where to Buy or Adopt
If you are considering buying or adopting a Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix or Shiranian, it means that you find it fit for your family. Now, this is the next big step and one of the very sensitive as we advise people that one mistake will make you regret all your life. Luckily, we got your covered.
The best place to start would be your local rescue group or animal shelter such as the Shelter Pet Project, as these people can help you find the perfect match for your family. Alternatively, you can consider rescue groups for specific dog breeds such as the Shiranian, Labradoodles, and more.
For those considering a dog breeder, buy from a responsible breeder who is concerned about the puppy’s health. Request that you visit his breeding workplace and the parent’s health records with signatures from accredited veterinarians. If he has all that plus a hygienic breeding site and a Shiranian pup that is 7 to 8 weeks old, you are good to go.
Fast Facts
Here are fast facts about the Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix:
| Facts | Detail |
| Life Expectancy: | 12 to 16 years |
| Size: | 7 to 12 inches |
| Price: | $250 to $1300 |
| Trainability: | Moderately trainable |
| Temperament: | Friendly, Attractive, Alert |
| Health Considerations: | Hypothyroidism, Cataracts, Allergies, Hypoglycemia |
| Activity Level: | Moderate – 2 brief walks/day (20 to 30 minutes) |
| Energy Requirements: | 40 to 50 calories/pound of body mass/dayAverage – 35 calories/pound of body mass |
You can also check out other small breeds such as the Pomsky or Pomeranian.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
