Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix : (9 Interesting PitShih Facts)

Are you considering acquiring a Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix dog? Or are you just curious about the Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix dog, and want to get facts about it? In either case, you will find this article helpful, as it has comprehensive information about the Pitbull Shih Tzu mix dog.

As its name suggests, the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix is a dog that comes from crossing an American Pit Bull Terrier with the Chinese Shih Tzu dog. The resultant Shih Tzu mix Pitbull (also known as the PitShih Dog) has both the athleticism associated with Pitbulls and the silky cuddliness associated with the Shih Tzu dog.

Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shih Tzu dog have adorable qualities. The Shih Tzu and Pitbull mix dog gets the best of both worlds.

In essence then, the Pitbull and Shih Tzu mix is a ‘designer dog’. Pitbull and Shih Tzu mix puppies get some traits from the Pitbull and other traits from the Shih Tzu dog.

There are people who like the athleticism of the Pitbull, but wish that it was silkier/cuddlier. Then there are those who love the silkiness and ‘lap dog’ nature of the Shih Tzu, but wish it was bigger and more athletic.

These two divergent needs are met when we have the Pitbull mixed with Shih Tzu. With a Pitbull dog mixed with Shih Tzu, you get a blend of loyalty (from Pitbull) with royalty (from Shih Tzu).

The Shih Tzu mixed Pitbull dog has only been in existence for a relatively short period of time. Yet in that period, the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix has come to be adored in many parts of the world. That is due to its unique features.

What Exactly Is A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Dog?

The Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix is a medium to large size dog, which comes about when the Shih Tzu dog is crossed with the American Pitbull Terrier.

So it is basically a Pitbull mixed Shih Tzu dog. We may as well refer to it as the American Pitbull Terrier Shih Tzu mix dog.

In some quarters, the American Pit Bull Terrier is referred to as the American Staffordshire Terrier.

Thus the Pit Shih Tzu mix dog may also be referred to as the American Staffordshire Terrier and Shih Tzu mix dog.

Some will go as far as calling it the Bully Tzu dog. That is if they find the Pit Bull Terrier Shih Tzu mix name too mouthful.

The basic fact remains that the Pitbull Shih Tzu dog comes about as a result of crossing Pitbull with the Shih Tzu.

To some though, that explanation on the Pitbull Shitzu mix origin sounds unbelievable. In their minds, they quite don’t mix the Pitbull with the Shih Tzu dog.

That, in fact, is the basis for the commonly asked questions like, can a Shih Tzu mate with a Pitbull?

So the truth of the matter is that the Shih Tzu can indeed mate with the Pitbull. The offspring then becomes a Pitbull mix Shih Tzu dog.

In fact, when you research on what is a good breed to mix with a Pitbull, the Shih Tzu comes up often.

And if you research on what is a good Shih Tzu mix, the Pitbull Shih Tzu mix name appears often.

Another common question in this context is: what is a Shih Tzu Bulldog mix called? And that is where the Bully Tzu name we made reference to earlier may come into the picture.

How Does A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Look?

With regard to coat color, the Pitbull mix with Shih Tzu dog can be yellow, orange or black. There are also white, brindle, brown and chocolate Pit Bull Shih Tzu mix dogs.

Often, when you have a Shih Tzu mixed with Pitbull, the resultant dog will have two or more coat colors.

Browsing through Shih Tzu Pitbull mix pictures, you notice that many of these dogs have two or more coat colors.

In a Pitbull and Shitzu mix dog, the coat has the silkiness/cuddliness we find in the Shih Tzu dog. But it is not as dense as the purebred Shih Tzu dog’s coat.

Thus Pitbull and Shih Tzu puppies come with quite short yet silky/cuddly coats.

Normally, in a Pit Bull mix with Shih Tzu dog, the face will be rather flat.

How big will a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix get? The answer is that there is a broad range. A Shih Tzu Pitbull mix full grown dog can be just 10 inches in height.

But a full grown Shih Tzu Pitbull can also be as high as 25 inches!

Thus looking at Pitbull Shih Tzu mix pictures, it is often difficult to believe that you are looking at dogs that share a genetic heritage.

Regarding appearance, it is important to remember that a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix dog can get traits from either parent.

That is similar to how a Maltese mixed with Pitbull, a Poodle Pit mix puppy or Pitbull Yorkie mix puppies can get traits from either parent.

Taking it further, it is similar to how a Yorkie Shih Tzu Pitbull mix, a Maltese Shih Tzu Pitbull mix or a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Pitbull mix dog can get traits from either parent.

What Is The Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Temperament Like?

The Shih Tzu Pitbull is largely a dog that is easy to live with.

From its Pitbull parent, it usually inherits intense loyalty. And from its Shih Tzu parent, it inherits some degree of playfulness.

Because it has Pitbull blood, the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix dog has some level of gameness/wildness in it. Thus, it may tend to chase things (like other smaller pets and visiting dogs) around.

However, with proper training, Shih Tzu Pitbull mix puppies can be taught to be tamer.

Due to the fact that it has Shih Tzu blood, this may be a clingy dog. It often wants attention, with people fussing over it.

Sometimes, it may get to a point where you just have to crate the dog. That is when you are unable to constantly fuss over it.

As with appearance, when it comes to temperament, the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix dog can inherit most of its traits from either parent.

This is not unique to this dog though. Even a Yorkie mix with Pitbull blood may have more Yorkie than Pitbull character traits – or vice versa.

The same may be observable in a Maltese Pitbull mix dog, in a half Pitbull half Poodle dog, or in a Maltese Poodle Pitbull mix dog.

Haven’t we seen Pitbull and Maltese mix dogs with almost fully Pitbull character traits? Or, conversely, aren’t there cases in which Maltese Pitbull mix puppies behave almost entirely like purebred Maltese dogs?

Why then, should we expect different in a Pitbull mixed with a Shih Tzu?

Thus, just like a Maltese mix Pitbull, a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix can either have mostly Shih Tzu or mostly Pitbull character traits.

How Do You Go About Training A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Dog?

There are several tips that can be helpful, when it comes to training a Shih Tzu Pitbull.

Firstly, you need to ensure that you start the Shih Tzu Pit Bull training in a timely manner. That is as soon as you acquire it.

Secondly, it is better to focus more on positive reinforcements rather than punishments while training your Shih Tzu Pitbull.

Thirdly, you need to focus on teaching your Shih Tzu Pitbull just a few things at a time.

Fourthly, it is ideal to be consistent – until your Shih Tzu Pitbull understands fully what is expected.

You shouldn’t be too ambitious in training your Shih Tzu Pitbull. If the dog can’t understand the most complex tricks, but he gets to learn normal day to day commands, that should be alright too.

What Are Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Exercise Needs Like?

The Shih Tzu Pitbull exercise needs are modest.

In fact, while learning about the pro and cons of owning a Shih Tzu Pitbull mix, you will see that one of the pros is that it doesn’t need too much exercise.

Excessive exercise can harm this dog, given its orthopedic features like (typically) long spine and shorter legs.

Thus 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day should suffice, for the Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix.

The exercise can take the form of low intensity walks. It can also be in another format. But you need to avoid swimming, as this dog (being a flat face dog) is prone to drowning easily.

What Unique Health Problems Is The Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Prone To?

The Shih Tzu Pitbull usually has a flat face. That makes it prone to the brachycephalic airway syndrome, which affects breathing.

Further, the Shih Tzu Pitbull normally has a long spine, with relatively short legs. This makes it prone to problems like elbow dysplasia.

Another common orthopedic problem is intervertebral disc disease.

The skull in the Shih Tzu Pitbull mix dog is normally not large. So the teeth crowd in, causing some vulnerability to severe dental problems.

Ultimately though, mix breeds like the Shih Tzu Pitbull in question here tend to have healthier profiles than purebred dogs.

Even a Pitbull mix with Yorkie genes would tend to have a better overall health profile than a purebred Yorkie or Pitbull.

What applies to the Pitbull Maltese mix also applies to the Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix. Just as a Maltese and Pitbull mix dog has a better overall health profile, so does a Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix have.

So the few health problems we are outlining shouldn’t scare you too much.

What Is The Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Typical Lifespan?

With good care, a Shih Tzu Pitbull may live for as long as 10 to 14 years.

Much of course depends on the quality of care you give to your Shih Tzu Pitbull.

It is usually only with a good quality of care that a Shih Tzu Pitbull dog gets to the 10 to 14 year lifespan.

How Do You Go About Acquiring A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Dog?

In acquiring a Shih Tzu Pitbull, you have the option of either buying (from a breeder) or adopting (from a shelter).

Suppose you take the buying route. You may start by searching for breeders who are offering Shih Tzu Mix Pitbull puppies for sale.

Once you find someone offering Shih Tzu Pitbull mix puppies for sale, make proper enquiries. Ensure you are not dealing with an unethical puppy mill. Then negotiate a suitable price.

Thereafter, close the deal and start bonding with your new dog.

What if you take the adoption route? You first locate a rescue with a Shih Tzu Pitbull that requires rehoming. Or you find someone with a Shih Tzu Pitbull they are no longer able to sustain.

Then you complete the adoption process, and start bonding with your new dog.

How Much Does A Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix Dog Cost?

The average Pitbull Shih Tzu mix price ranges from $1,000 to $2000.

That (higher than average) Shih Tzu Pitbull mix cost is due to the fact that this is a ‘designer dog’‘.

So the whole thing is similar to how, say, Poodle and Pitbull mix puppies tend to go for higher prices.

The people who breed Shih Tzu Pitbull dogs go to great trouble. They therefore require commensurate compensation: hence the higher prices.

Final Verdict – Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix

The Shih Tzu Pit Bull mix dog comes about as a result of crossing the Shih Tzu dog with the American Pitbull Terrier.

From its Shih Tzu parent, it normally inherits exquisite royal looks. And from its Pitbull parent, it usually inherits intense loyalty.

This is also a dog in which we often find a combination of athleticism (from the Pitbull) and cuddly silkiness (from the Shih Tzu).

Its flat face however makes it prone to breathing problems. On the other hand, its long spine and typically shorter legs make it prone to certain orthopedic issues.

Nonetheless, with decent care, a Shih Tzu Pitbull can live for 10 to 14 years.

You can acquire a Shih Tzu Pitbull through a purchase – from a breeder. Alternatively, you can acquire a Shih Tzu Pitbull dog through an adoption from a dog rescue shelter.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet dog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️