Are shih tzus as unhealthy as frenchies

[Letmeout21]

I’ve pretty much narrowed my search down to a shih tzu (or shih poo if I can find a decent breeder)
After ruling out others on my list for reasons such as excessive barking, bad health, bad breeders, too sensitive, or suffers more with seperation anxiety, not great for first time owners ect

Now I’m finding out more about shih tzus breathing issues due to flat face. Is this as bad as French bulldogs as I’d ruled them out early on because of how many health issues they have and I didn’t want a dog that couldn’t go on longer walks or run about due to that.

Are shih tzus on par with frenchie or nowhere near as bad??

Other breeds on list were cavs, cavapoos, mini schnauzers, bichon frise, or a terrier (westie, cairn or border)

Why would you get a poodle mix if dislike poodles though? My friend has a Maltipoo. It has boundless energy, is very highly strung, barks constantly and is very reactive to other dogs. Chases and barks at every other dog it comes across. So a Schipoo might have the poodle qualities that made you discount a poodle in the first place

Have you thought about a Havanese? Can suffer from separation anxiety but tbh from what I can tell there are very few breeds where that isn’t a risk.

@XiCi I don’t dislike poodles at all. Just worried they’re a bit too high energy and sensitive. Doesn’t sound like the cross breeds are so much.

Maltipoos are apparently big barkers and a bit highly strung so I’d discounted them long ago.
I know there’s no guarantee with cross breeds but shih poos sound quite week rounded, similar to cavapoos.

I have nothing against poodles, just that the cross breeds seem maybe a bit less energetic and sensitive.

I don’t dislike poodles at all. Just worried they’re a bit too high energy and sensitive. Doesn’t sound like the cross breeds are so much.

But it's a risk you're taking. Any poodle cross can end up with a personality and energy level that's 90% poodle.

I always maintain on threads like this, that if you couldn't handle 100% of either breed, don't get a cross of the two. You have no idea how a mixed breed puppy will turn out so you need to make sure you can handle the worst it can throw at you.

Every shih poo I’ve ever seen, and I’m on a lot of fb pages, is more physically shih tzu in size and build and do not seem to have the same energy needs as a pure poodle. The sensitivity I’d like to avoid but I think with a good breeder and socialisation I can manage that and it’s a possible issue with any breed.

Honestly Letmeout21, a cavachon will meet all your needs, I've posted about ours up thread. We deliberated over other breeds especially as we were on a waiting list for 18 months for ours but I'm so glad we waited...

Did you have issues finding a breeder fully health testing the cav?

@Letmeout21

Every shih poo I’ve ever seen, and I’m on a lot of fb pages, is more physically shih tzu in size and build and do not seem to have the same energy needs as a pure poodle. The sensitivity I’d like to avoid but I think with a good breeder and socialisation I can manage that and it’s a possible issue with any breed.

Size has nothing to do with energy needs.

You'll need to know the history of the poodle parent, grandparent and ideally great-grandparent - and find out if any of them from working lines or if there are any standard poodle genes in the mix.

We have all the history of our beagle going back four generations - all the health results, hip/elbow scores etc. The breeders know everything there is to know about both sire and dam.

I always think a mixed breed is a risk if you can't cope with the energy needs of one of the breeds involved. I meet a lot of poodle mixes and no two are the same - there's huge amounts of variety there.

I have a Shih Tzu Cross. No health issues (he's almost 8 now), very affectionate and docile. A couple of short walks a day is enough, although he also enjoys the odd longer excursion. But he does bark like a maniac at the postman.

@Letmeout21

Did you have issues finding a breeder fully health testing the cav?

Yes, I'm in Ireland. Cavachons etc are very expensive at the moment. Yes both parents had extensive health checks & the vets records & papers to prove it. My dog was 500 euro with 20 euro of that given to the ISPCA animal charity (she does this for every dog sold). No deposit was needed until the pups were 2 weeks old. She still phones & emails to see how our little one is getting on. Ours is the perfect mix of both cavalier & bichon. She has the cavalier temperament & was very well socialised when we got her. So friendly to everyone & loves other dogs (& cats). She has the cavalier benheilm colouring, eyes & ears with the bichon fluffiness. Everyone who meets her adores her! Can you tell I'm totally obsessed!