The Shih Apso is a great little companion dog. As the hybrid of a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso, this small-sized crossbreed is both friendly and reserved, both needy and stubborn. Overall Shih Apso care and maintenance will take some work, and will need to include a bit of daily exercise and quite a lot of grooming--and most of all, plenty of TLC!
Below you'll find details on caring for a Shih Apso, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Find answers to your questions about raising a Shih Apso in the following sections!
Though active, these hybrids are small, so Shih Apso exercise requirements aren't too high. These little dogs will fulfill a lot of their daily activity needs just running around being their sociable selves--but they'll still benefit from a couple of short walks and a brief period of play each day.
Adult Shih Apso dogs will only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day. You can start exercising your Shih Apso puppy when it's 2½ months old by taking it on very short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.
Precautions with Shih Apso exercise:
- Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're eight months old
- A leash is recommended when exercising in public
- Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
- Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people
It's a good idea to exercise your Shih Apso every day. Without consistent activity, these lively little hybrids will become fussy, disobedient, and may even develop Small Dog Syndrome. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Shih Apso exercise ideas:
- Walking: Two 10-minute walks per day is a good target
- Fetch: Can be played indoors or out; use the dog's favorite toy
- Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
- Dog Park: If properly socialized, a Shih Apso will enjoy the company of other dogs
- Laser Pointer: These hybrids will go nuts chasing that "little red dot"
When indoors, it's good to give your Shih Apso access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn any excess energy it may have. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.
These little hybrids will need a fair amount of maintenance overall. Lhasa Apso-Shih Tzu mix shedding is moderate, and drooling isn't an issue.
Shih Apso dogs normally have long, fluffy coats that shed moderately--but these hybrids will need a lot of grooming to keep the coats looking their best. Owners will need to brush their Shih Apso frequently to not only remove dead hairs, but to keep the coats from becoming matted or tangled. Hair cleanup, in the form of vacuuming the floors and using lint rollers on clothes and furniture, will be necessary from time to time.
A Shih Apso almost never drools, though. If your Shih Apso is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.
