Shih-Tzu / Poodle cross ... what are they called??

[Carakeel]

Oh dear, a friend has never had a dog before and wants to get a puppy, a cross between a poodle and a shih-tzu. As we have a little shih-tzu he wanted to know what "breed" name he should look under for such a cross ... (he was absolutely serious!!) He was also a bit worried how he would tell his little 9 year old daughter that the doggie she is going to get it a Pooshit or a Shitpoo???? After all, her friend at school will want to know. I so struggled to stay serious, the giggles were coming on fast and furious!! Hmm, maybe a Shipoo, but even that sounds wrong! Or a pooshih? lol . Seriously though, does anyone know what they are calling this cross-breed? For me it is simply a Shitzu / Poodle cross.

[sandyRoe]

Mongrel?

[RATTER15]

A Shoodle!! :-)

No not a Sh1tpoo!!!!

[Carakeel]

Well yes, it is that for sure, SandyRoe. But I guess because there are Labradoodles, they will wanta name like that I guess. Ian has just suggested a "Shoodle" which might be right.

[shaneystar2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih-poo
or Pooshih
Poo is in there somewhere whichever way you go :-)

[tamborine]

Cross Frap = Annoyed French + Jap

[wildwood]

If you want to stay away from the poo thingy, how about calling it a Shihdle. Sounds sort of eastern continental.

Yes, stick to the Shitzu / Poodle cross when looking for one. If you find one with a fancy fashion breed name it will be ten times the price.

[woofgang]

going off the point but why why why does he want a deliberate cross breed?

[Answerprancer]

Just count your friend lucky that he didn't want one that was a cross between a Bulldog and a Shihtzu !

[ttfn]

Luv a duck carakeel ! I think I would go for a Shizoodle but I bet they are not so known. Good luck with your efforts ;o)

[jules77]

I cant see the appeal of these so called designer breeds, as you cant even guarantee how they are going to turn out. The more people that buy them, the more the back yard breeders will have an avenue to line their pockets. There are enough crossbreeds out there, without breeding more intentionally.....Its so wrong...

[campbellking]

Many moons ago, my great granny had one of these (not a deliberate breeding,this was the Eighties, before the 'designer dog' era and he was from a rescue home). He was called Toby, and resembled a black Dougal dog with long black curly hair. He was a lovely little dog, very placid and she was in her nineties at the time.

[fredpuli47]

Correct Jules. I've got cockerpoos, the result of an accidental mating between my poodle and my American cocker, but I wouldn't recommend the commercial breeding or the buying of a 'breed' of cockerpoos.Mine are fine, but there's no way to guarantee that any given mating in subsequent generations will produce pups of the same or similar characteristics to those of any other mating of any other breeder's generations, or at all.

The same must be true of other 'designer' breeds.Certainly the 'labradoodles' I've seen don't share identical breed characteristics. It takes many years, with controlled breeding, to get a type that breeds true, a new breed..

[Carakeel]

I have to admit I am not in favour of deliberate cross-breeding unless there is a very good reason or purpose. I know that some cross breeds are said to be exceptionally good as dogs for the disabled and were bred for that purpose, but I personally think people have to be very careful. There are of course lurchers who are great hunters etc. and lovely dogs to own, but again they have a purpose. As one vet said on the TV recently though, these mixed breeds do not only inherit the positive traits of their parents, grandparents, but also the negative ones and many disorders from the various breeds in their line. I have several Heinz 57 little friends and love their characters, but I feel pure breeds need protecting . I agree there are lots of lovely cross breed dogs and I have had rescued x breeds myself in the past. I just think people should not deliberately cross breed just because they think they can produce "cute" or in some cases "especially aggressive and threatening" types of dogs to make loads of money. These dogs so often then end up in the wrong hands, being rescued by the rspca or worse, being abandoned to fend for themselves. It isn't fair on the dogs. This is where the problem of over breeding is at its worst! Sorry, I could go on with my little rant, but you know what I mean ...