Shih tzu and husky mix

A Complete Guide To The Shih Tzu And Husky Mix

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The Shih Tzu and the Siberian Husky are both amazing dog breeds to have at home. But what would a Shih Tzu and Husky mix be like?

A mix between a Shih Tzu and a Siberian Husky can only be possible with artificial insemination. Due to this, the mix has a high cost which only increases its rarity. But there are some great traits this crossbreed has that make it worth the price.

History Of The Shih Tzu And Husky Mix

There are no records of when exactly this dog was first bred. It is a relatively new mixed breed and has been present in recent years.

The Shih Tzu has its roots based in ancient China. This small dog was used as a lap dog for the royals and presented a symbol of wealth. The breed was first brought to England in the 1930s. Then, after World War II, it was brought to America and officially accepted by the AKC in 1969.

The Siberian Husky is an ancient breed originating in Siberia. It was bred by the Chukchi people to work as a sled dog. These dogs were brought to Alaska in 1909 during the gold rush. They were popularized for bringing a serum in Nome, Alaska, during the diphtheria epidemic in 1925. Afterward, in 1930, they were officially accepted by the AKC.

Appearance – No Puppy Looks The Same

A Shih Tzu mixed with a Husky will have a different appearance depending on its genes. It might look more like a Shih Tzu, more like a Husky, or have some in-between look.

The dog can inherit the flat face of the Shih Tzu and have trouble breathing. But it can also inherit the wolf-like face of the Husky. It might have blue or brown eyes, or bi-colored eyes. It will also have either the drooping ears of the Shih Tzu or the erect ears of the Husky.

Size

The Shih Tzu is considered a small or toy breed, with a height of 9-10.5 inches and a weight of 9-16 pounds.

The Husky is considered a medium-sized breed, with a height of 20-23.5 inches and a weight of 35-60 pounds.

Therefore, the puppy can either be small or medium. On average, this mix has a height of 18-20 inches and a weight of 35-60 pounds.

Coat And Color

The Husky mix with Shih Tzu will have a coat that is a combination of both parents. Shih Tzus are double-coated dogs with long and soft fur. Huskies also have a double coat of medium size. That means that their puppy will also have a double coat with medium to long length.

Both Shih Tzus and Huskies come in a variety of different colors and patterns. You can expect their mixed puppy to have colors including black, white, silver, brown, gray, liver, brindle, and more.

Temperament – An Affectionate Escape Artist

The parent breeds of this interesting mix are known to be very affectionate and loyal dogs. They are playful and agile dogs that are good with children. Due to this, their mixed puppy will also make for a perfect family pet. Because they are so close to their family, these dogs are prone to separation anxiety.

Huskies are known to talk, bark, and make all kinds of strange noises. It is expected that the Shitzu Husky will also be a loud dog. They will also inherit the high prey drive of Huskies and chase after small animals. That said, they will be good around other animals if socialized properly.

Siberian Huskies are notorious escape artists. This, combined with the small size inherited from the Shih Tzu, makes their mixed dog complicated to look after. It needs to be supervised so it doesn’t escape from the yard.

Taking Care Of A Shih Tzu Husky Mix

Caring for this mixed breed will involve all the steps of caring for any dog. It needs proper nutrition, grooming, exercise, and training.

Health And Lifespan

These dogs will have a relatively good average life span, usually lasting around 10-15 years. During that time, they will show to be very healthy dogs, but they do have some common health issues inherited from their parents.

  • Brachycephalic airway syndrome – Because Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, their puppies will be prone to this short-face syndrome. These dogs will have noisy breathing, snoring, and coughing, and may even collapse due to low oxygen levels.
  • Hip dysplasia – This is a disease common in both parent breeds and it attacks the musculoskeletal system. It affects the ball and socket joints of the hips causing misalignment. This will cause pain to the dog causing it to limp and not walk properly.
  • Eye problems – Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye disease common in both parent breeds. It causes a slow loss of sight to the point of blindness. Cataracts is another common eye problem in dogs. It causes the lens to become opaque and it leads to blindness.

Nutrition

A Husky mixed with Shih Tzu will need around 1-2 cups of food every day to stay healthy. The amount of food can vary due to the size and activity of the dog. The food should be split into two or more meals during the day. If the dog eats more than it should, it can become overweight.

The food you give should be of high quality and from a trusted brand. It should contain a lot of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fatty acids. It should be low in carbs and artificial ingredients. Giving supplements is also important. Fish oil, chondroitin, and glucosamine help maintain proper health.

Grooming

Because Huskies are known to shed a lot, and so do Shih Tzus, their mixed puppy will also have problems with shedding. The Siberian Husky Shih Tzu mix should be brushed consistently to prevent tangles from forming. Brushing around 2-3 times a week will also reduce shedding. This brushing should be increased during fall and spring when the dog will shed more than usual.

You shouldn’t bathe this dog too often. Once a month should be enough. This dog might tear a lot so cleaning its face and around the eyes should be done regularly. It will also need its nails trimmed, ears cleaned, and teeth brushed routinely.

Exercise And Training

Both Huskies and Shih Tzus are active dogs with high energy levels. That means that their mixed puppy will also need a lot of exercise. Depending on the needs of the specific dog, this hybrid breed needs around 1-2 hours of exercise every day. 

This should be split into more sessions during the day. If the dog ends up brachycephalic, you should try to not overexert. Also, it shouldn’t swim as breathing is harder for flat-faced dogs. But running, walking, and playing games is perfectly safe.

The Shih Tzu mixed with Siberian Husky is intelligent, but it will also inherit stubbornness from its parents. This will make training complicated. A good owner should start obedience training and socialization early. Using positive reinforcement will help make training easier.

Getting Husky Shih Tzu Mix Puppies

If you like this dog and want to get one for yourself, it won’t be easy. These dogs are not very common and you will need to contact some breeders and rescue centers to find one.

Where To Buy One

Because this mixed breed is rare, you can expect much higher prices compared to other dogs. The fact that it is bred by artificial insemination increases the price. This dog can cost up to $2000 to buy. This price will vary from puppy to puppy. If its parents are award-winning dogs, you can expect their puppy to have a higher price.

Make sure you find a breeder that will give you all the information and documents about the dog. You can ask to see its parents to see if there are any genetic diseases present. Because there are no breeders that specialize in this mix, you should find breeders of its parent breeds.

Where To Adopt One

Another way to get your hands on one of these dogs is to adopt one from a rescue shelter. This isn’t as easy as it sounds, as these dogs are very rare and you might not have a chance to find the dog you like. That said, all dogs in the shelters need a home, and will be very thankful if you could provide one with it.

You might not be able to find the specific mix, but there are many hybrid Siberian Huskies and Shih Tzus waiting for a home. These dogs will also be much cheaper than buying a dog from a breeder. You will have the best chance of finding the dog you want by contacting rescue shelters for the parent breeds.

Final Words About The Shih Tzu And Husky Mix

The mix between the Siberian Husky and the Shih Tzu is a curious one due to them being very different breeds. The size of these breeds makes breeding difficult, but artificial insemination makes it possible. This ends up making a medium-sized dog with traits similar to one or the other parent breed.

This designer dog will have a very nice personality. Being affectionate and friendly, it makes for a great family dog. It is intelligent, yet very stubborn so training it will take a lot of persistence. This dog will be loud and have a need to chase after the neighbor’s cat.

A double-coated breed like this tends to shed a lot, so it should be groomed properly. It will also need enough food, exercise, and training to stay healthy and happy.

FAQ

Can a Husky mate with a Shih Tzu?

Technically, these two dogs can breed naturally. A smaller Husky female and a larger Shih Tzu male have the highest chance of success. However, this is not recommended because artificial insemination exists.

Is the Shih Tzu and Husky mix hypoallergenic?

No, this mixed breed is not a hypoallergenic dog. Because both parent breeds are high-shedding dogs, this mixed dog will also shed a lot throughout the year. It is not recommended for people with allergies.

Can Husky live with Shih Tzu?

Yes, these two dog breeds can live together peacefully. Both dogs are friendly, affectionate, and playful, and fit with each other’s personalities. Of course, early socialization is essential in achieving this.

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