The Shiranian--a hybrid of a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian--is a lovable, social, at times fussy little crossbreed that's purely a companion dog. These dogs are beloved by their owners, because apart from some frequent grooming, Shiranian care and maintenance doesn't take much work.
Below you'll find details on caring for a Shiranian including puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. For answers to your questions about owning a Shiranian, keep reading!
Shiranians are extremely small dogs--and while active, their exercise requirements aren't very extensive. The typical Shiranian will fulfill a lot of its daily activity needs just running around being its busy little self.
An adult Shiranian, depending on its age and overall activity level, will only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day, which you can accomplish with a couple of short walks and a few minutes' play. You can start exercising your Shiranian puppy at about 10 weeks old by taking it on short (5-minute) walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.
A few precautions to consider when exercising your Shiranian: first, puppies younger than seven months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And regardless of age, it's best to keep your Shiranian leashed when in public. These are curious, social little dogs, and will quickly run off in search of new friends or environments if given the chance; at the same time, Shiranians can actually be considered prey by large dogs and other predators. A leash will help you control and protect your Shiranian in these situations. When you're walking your Shiranian on a leash, though, be mindful of your pace. These tiny dogs have to trot faster on their short legs to keep up at even "normal" walking speed, so you might want to walk a bit more slowly. Finally: these little dogs form deep bonds with their owners (and they suffer separation anxiety if left alone), so they'll respond much better to exercises in which one or more of their human family members also participates. (Putting your Shiranian out in the yard to exercise alone, in other words, won't do any good; the dog will be miserable, and is liable to spend the whole time barking and scratching at the door to be let back in!) Exercises you perform together are best.
Safeguards aside, it's important to exercise your Shiranian every single day. These dogs tend to be be a little fussy and hyper-sensitive, and if bored or restless they'll become disobedient, hyperactive, and even fussier than they already are. Consistent Shiranian exercise is great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Shiranian access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon
In terms of shedding and drooling, this hybrid will need moderate care. For the Shih Tzu-Pomeranian mix, shedding is average to frequent, but drooling isn't an issue.
Shiranians have medium- to long-haired, wavy coats that she some year-round (especially if the coat is more like the Pomeranian's). Frequent brushing and occasional haircuts will be necessary for these dogs, both to reduce shedding and to avoid tangles and mats. Owners will need to vacuum the floors and use lint rollers on clothes and furniture from time to time to pick up stray hairs, but it won't be a constant chore.
And a Shiranian practically never drools. If your Shiranian is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care will be needed. Depending on how long your Shiranian's facial furnishings are, the dog may drip water from its beard after drinking, but this is not a huge problem.
Read the grooming requirements for Shiranians including coat care and other maintenance.
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