Do Shih Poos Shed? How Much, Causes, Prevention, & How To Combat It

Do Shih Poos shed? How much does a Shih Poo shed? What can you do to combat excessive shedding in Shih Poos? In this guide, we’re going to answer all of your questions related to Shih Poo shedding. We’ll also share with you some of the most common causes why your Shih Poo may be shedding. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Do Shih Poos Shed?
• Why Is My Shih Poo Shedding So Much?
• Do Shih Poos Shed? Full Breed Generation Comparison
• How Do You Keep A Shih Poo From Shedding?
• Do Shih Poos Shed? Frequently Asked Questions
• Do Shih Poos Shed? Final Thoughts

Do Shih Poos Shed?

Shihpoos are well-known for being hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs. That’s all thanks to their Poodle heritage – a notoriously “non-shedding” dog breed that’s considered hypoallergenic.

But, did you know that all dogs shed, even Poodles? What separates Poodles and Doodles from many other breeds is that they only come with a single coat, and any hair that they shed gets trapped inside their thick, textured, and curly coat.

So, do Shih Poos shed? Even though Shih Poos are usually great pets for people who prefer dogs that don’t shed, there is a chance that your Shih Poo might shed. After all, the Shih Poo’s other purebred parent is the Shih Tzu – and Shih Tzus come with a shedding double coat. 

Why Is My Shih Poo Shedding So Much?

But why do Shih Poos shed? This depends on a variety of factors, such as their coat type, genetics, and generation. Let’s take a closer look at all the possible reasons why your Shih Poo might be shedding.

Coat Type

One of the main factors that could dictate how much your Shih Poo sheds is their coat type. Like other Doodle breeds, Shih Poos can inherit different types of coats from their parents. After all, we’re mixing together two very different breeds. Therefore, the result can be quite unpredictable at times. 

Curly Coat

The Poodle-inspired curly coat is the most suitable choice for people looking to adopt a non-shedding Shih Poo. Shih Poos with curly coats inherit most of their traits from the Poodle parent. Although in terms of shedding this coat type has its advantages, it is usually the most high-maintenance of them all.

Straight Coat

As you might guess, the straight coat is mostly inherited from the Shih Tzu parent. Shih Poos with straight coats may experience some shedding. However, they still shed considerably less than their purebred Shih Tzu parents. Again, we have to thank the genius Poodle genes here! 

Wavy Coat

Then there’s the wavy coat that combines the best of both worlds. Wavy-coated Shih Poos fall somewhere right inbetween. Their hair is neither curly or straight, nor does it shed as much as the straight coat. Moreover, wavy coats are usually very easy to manage as well, as they don’t get as tangled as curly coats.

Genetics & Generation

Obviously, genetics play a key role in determining what type of coat your Shih Poo will inherit. If your Shih Poo’s genetic makeup consists mostly of the Poodle, it’s highly likely that your puppy will inherit a similar-looking, low to non-shedding coat. In contrast, if your pup’s genetics are more influenced by the Shih Tzu parent, expect to see some shedding.

Another thing we’d like to mention is that your pup’s generation can also greatly affect their coat type and potential for shedding. Nevertheless, a Shih Poo’s generation doesn’t guarantee that they won’t shed any hair. That’s why reputable breeders conduct genetic testing on their breeding dogs to determine how the puppies in the litter will turn out. 

Other Common Causes For Excessive Shedding In Shih Poos

Your dog’s genetics and coat type will most likely give you the best overview of their potential for shedding. But, it’s also not uncommon for Shih Poos to experience shedding for a variety of other reasons, such as their diet and health conditions. Let’s take a closer look. 

Unsuitable Or Unbalanced Diet

An unhealthy and unbalanced diet is one of the most common causes of excessive shedding in Shih Poos – even for curly-coated pups! Your Shih Poo should get all of its essential micro and macronutrients from its diet, all of them being balanced and providing your pup an all round high-quality and nourishing diet. 

Having said that, you’ll also want to avoid switching your dog’s dog food formula too quickly, as it can lead to not only digestive issues, but skin problems, and even excessive shedding. In case you’re planning to switch up your pup’s diet, make sure you do it gradually over time. 

Allergies & Sensitivities

Since we’re on the topic of food and diet, it’s also worth mentioning that Shih Poos often struggle with food allergies and different types of sensitivities. If your pup eats something that doesn’t agree with their body, excessive shedding would be a very common reaction. The same goes for shampoos and conditioners, as some of them can trigger allergic reactions in some pups. In severe cases, these allergies can also lead to bald patches on different parts of your pup’s body. 

Fleas, Ticks, & Parasites

Fleas, ticks, and all sorts of parasites are common culprits in any dog’s life. Not only are they disgusting and annoying to get rid of, they can also cause excessive Shih Poo shedding. 

Generally, flea, tick, and parasite infestations cause quite a lot of discomfort for a dog. Once your pup feels itchy, their most natural reaction would be to excessively scratch, lick, and chew the area that’s bothering them the most. As a result, you may notice some unusual shedding and even bald patches in your pup’s fur.

Anxiety & Stress

Your Shih Poo may also be shedding due to anxiety or stress. Just like humans, dogs are emotional creatures that respond to situations in different ways. Additionally, Shih Poos are also prone to separation anxiety. 

When feeling stressed or anxious, dogs tend to start excessively licking or scratching themselves to soothe themselves. As you can guess, this can often lead to excessive hair loss, shedding, and bald patches. 

Do Shih Poos Shed? Full Breed Generation Comparison

We briefly mentioned earlier that your Shih Poo’s generation can give you a pretty big hint about their shedding potential. But what are those so-called generations anyway? 

To put it simply, generations tell us how a Doodle puppy was bred, and how much of their genetic makeup roughly consists of either of the parental breeds. Here’s a simple overview to help you understand what each Shih Poo generation represents:

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Shih Tzu*	% Poodle*
F1 Shihpoo (first-generation)	Shih Tzu	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Shihpoo (first-generation backcross)	F1 Shihpoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Shihpoo (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Shihpoo	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Shihpoo (second-generation)	F1 Shihpoo	F1 Shihpoo	50%	50%
F2B Shihpoo (second-generation backcross)	F1 Shihpoo	F1B Shihpoo	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Shihpoo (alternate cross)	F2 Shihpoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Shihpoo	F1B Shihpoo or higher	F1B Shihpoo or higher	Varies	Varies

Do F1 Shih Poos Shed?

F1 or first-generation Shih Poos have a 50-50 mix of Poodle and Shih Tzu. Obviously, with first-generation pups, there’s much more unpredictability involved, as they can lean on either side of their lineage. Some F1 Shih Poos take more after the Poodle parent, whereas others are more influenced by their Shih Tzu genetics. Of course, some pups also inherit the wavy combination coat, which usually doesn’t shed too much.

Nonetheless, with first-generation Shih Poos, it’s hard to predict how the puppies may turn out. For this reason, an F1 Shih Poo may not be the best option for you if you’re looking for a very low to non-shedding Dood.

Do F1b Shih Poos Shed?

F1b or first-generation backcross Shih Poos are bred by crossing an F1 Shih Poo back to a Poodle. In very rare cases, breeders sometimes breed F1 Shih Poos back to Shih Tzus as well. However, that’s a rather unusual practice, since people usually prefer lower shedding Doods.

Since an F1b Shih Poo’s genetic makeup consists roughly of 75% Poodle and 25% Shih Tzu, there’s a much higher chance that these pups inherit a more Poodle-like, low-shedding coat. Still, a few puppies in the F1b litter can also come with wavy and straight coats that may shed some hair. 

All in all, F1b Shih Poos generally have a much smaller potential for shedding compared to F1 Doods.

Do F1bb Shih Poos Shed?

F1bb or first-generation backcross backcross Shih Poos are created by crossing an F1b Shih Poo back to a Poodle yet again. This means that F1bb Shih Poos have a whopping 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Shih Tzu in their genetic makeup. As you would expect, F1bb Shih Poos inherit the majority of their traits from the Poodle parent. This makes F1bb Shih Poos the least shedding of them all, especially compared to F1 pups. 

Do F2 Shihpoos Shed?

F2 or second-generation Shih Poos are created by crossing together two F1 Shih Poos. They also have a similar genetic makeup compared to F1 Doods. In terms of how they’re bred, they’re 50% Poodle and 50% Shih Tzu. 

As we’ve mentioned a couple of times, a Doodle’s generation can only tell us this much. It all boils down to each dog’s and puppy’s unique genetic makeup and how much they’ve inherited from each of their parent pups. 

Generally, F2 Shih Poos do have a potential for shedding, as they have a 50-50 mix of both parental breeds. However, if you’re adopting your puppy from a reputable breeder, they’ll likely be able to tell you more about the parents and their previous litters, including their coat types and potential for shedding.

Do F2b Shih Poos Shed?

F2b, a.k.a. second-generation backcross Shih Poos have an F2 Shih Poo parent and a Poodle parent. Just like the F1b Shih Poo, an F2b Shih Poo is roughly 75% Poodle and 25% Shih Tzu. This means that they’re much less likely to shed compared to F1 and F2 Shih Poos, making them a much better suited for people looking for a very minimally shedding Dood. 

Do F2bb Shih Poos Shed?

Similarly to F1bb Shih Poos, F2bb Shih Poos are created by crossing an F2b Shih Poo back to a Poodle, resulting in a mix of 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Shih Tzu. Like F1bb pups, F2bb Shih Poos are generally considered the least shedding of them all, as the majority of their genetics come from the Poodle parent. 

Do Mini Shihpoos Shed?

Mini Shih Poos may or may not shed, just like any other size of Shih Poo. It all comes down to your Mini Shih Poo’s genetics, coat type, and generation. So, we can estimate that F1 and F2 Mini Shih Poos do have a chance of shedding, whereas backcross generations of F1b, F1bb, F2b, and F2bb Mini Shih Poos usually come with very low to non-shedding coats. 

How Do You Keep A Shih Poo From Shedding?

Brush Often

As you may know by now, regular brushing is the best way to combat excessive Shih Poo shedding. We recommend you brush your Shih Poo every single day, regardless of their coat type. This is hands-down the best and easiest way to prevent loose fur and dog dander around the house, but also to keep your pup’s coat looking healthy and beautiful at all times.

Proper Nutrition

Earlier we discussed how an unhealthy and unbalanced diet can contribute to excessive Shih Poo shedding. For this reason, it’s crucial that you feed your pup only the best dog food formulas available. 

What many dog owners fail to realize is that not all dog foods on the market are created the same. That’s why we only recommend you feed your Doodle puppy a high-quality dog food formula that’s made with real, high-quality, and nutritious ingredients. You’ll also want to make sure that the nutrient profile is balanced, and that it provides your pup plenty of essential fatty acids that promote good skin and coat health. 

In addition to that, you’ll also want to make sure that your Shih Poo isn’t allergic to any ingredients in their dry kibble or wet food formula. The most common allergens in dog foods are chicken, but also high protein grains like wheat. 

If you do suspect a food allergy, consult with your vet and they’ll be able to recommend another option for your pup that likely won’t trigger any allergies. You may also have to try an elimination diet to get to the root of the problem.

Bathing & Grooming

Regular bathing and hair trimming can do wonders to combat excessive shedding in Shih Poos. Again, if your pup is struggling with skin problems or skin sensitivities, your best bet would be to try soothing and hypoallergenic dog shampoos and conditioners. If you have been blessed with a heavy shedder, we recommend you try out de-shedding or anti-shedding dog shampoos that are also praised by fellow Doodle owners whose pups shed more than they’d like. 

Managing Stress & Anxiety

And finally, don’t forget to manage your pup’s stress and anxiety by providing them a happy and healthy life. Obviously, your pup will need daily kisses and cuddles, plenty of exercise and playtime, and lots of healthy and safe opportunities to socialize. If you do have an especially clingy pup, our article on How To Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety has some great tips on that as well.

Do Shih Poos Shed? Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shih Poos Shed? Final Thoughts

Hopefully we managed to answer your question – “Do Shih Poos shed?”, so you can make an informed decision before bringing home your new pup. Obviously, there are tons of variables to keep in mind. But, if you’re well-prepared and educated, you can confidently adopt your new puppy knowing exactly how much they might shed in the future, and what you can do about excessive shedding in case that does happen.