The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Shih Apso

Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu Mixed Breed Dogs

Information and Pictures

Close up front view - A long, thick coated, tan with white Shih Apso dog is wearing a blue jacket looking forward and it is laying on a wooden step outside. The dog has wide, round, brown eyes and a black nose.

Pogi the Shih Apso rescue dog at 2 ½ years old—"He is very loving, protective and spoiled. He's also very intelligent and learns new tricks quickly. Somewhat stubborn and hates to be alone to a fault."

Other Names
  • Lhasa Tzu
  • Lhasa-Tzu
  • Lhasatzu
  • Shihapso
  • Shih-Apso
Description

The Shih Apso is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.

Recognition
  • ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
  • DBR = Designer Breed Registry
  • DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
Front view - A furry, white with black Shih-Apso is laying on a purple towel looking up and to the left. The dog has wide round brown eyes.

Butler a rescued Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu mix at 5 years old

Close up front view - A young brown with black Shih Apso puppy is laying in a persons hand. Its mouth is open and its tongue is out.

Brindle the Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix) at 2 weeks old—see Brindle shown above after his coat changed colors

Close up - A fluffy brown with black Shih Apso puppy is laying on a carpet, it is looking up and its head is leaning towards a hand that is on its side.

Brindle, the Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix) at 4 weeks—see Brindle shown above after his coat changed colors

Close up - A thick coated, soft-looking, black and brown with white Shih Apso puppy is laying on a dog bed and it is looking forward.

Brindle the Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix) at about 3 months old

A thick coated, blak and brown with white Shih Apso is laying on a couch and it is leaning against a pillow. The dog's face looks like an Ewok from Star Wars.

Brindle the Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix) at about 1 year old; his coat is just starting to show signs of changing colors.

A thick, soft, long coated, tan with black and brown Shih Apso is laying across a bed and it is looking forward. The dog has a lighter body and a dark face and tips of its ears with some black on its back.

Brindle the 18-month-old Shih Apso (Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix)—believe it or not, Brindle was born brindle in coloring, hence the name. Coat color change is common within the Lhasa Apso breed. See more pictures of Brindle below. He is one of seven pups from the litter. The dam is the standard Lhasa—cream fur, gray face. The sire was a tricolor—black/brown/white Shih-Tzu. There were three pups like Brindle, one pure black with white blaze on the chest, and three tricolors. Four females, one male. Weights run from 15 pounds through 22 pounds. Brindle was the largest pup in the litter. His owner jokes, "He appears to be species-challenged. He often acts much more like a cat <gasp>. The vet and the breeder insist that I have a dog. It does "woof." He is quite terrier-like. He will nicely retrieve like the Goldens that I've had, but then he wants to kill it. NOT a water dog, but does like a bath and grooming. Enjoys being fussed over."

He also says, "The "wild puppy" behavior had pretty well passed by 9-10 months. Housebreaking went pretty well. By 4 months, the accident level was pretty well down. I have done the crate training with my dogs, which helps a LOT. However, the carpet cleaner is your friend. As Barbara Bush pointed out, puppies and carpets are a bad mix.

"However, I did have problems out at 4 months. Pup would wake up at 4 AM and make a fuss. Took him out. Nothing. Turns out he was simply lonely. Caught on to that, so took him in bed with us. You are talking to a man who has a king-sized bed so that there is more room for the dog. He has no idea what a dog bed is for. There is some possibility that we have gone over the line from pampered to spoiled... ;-)  He now associates the crate with us going out for a few hours, and heads for under the bed if he hears the crate door. I have to use a broom to get him out from under the bed...not a pretty picture.... MUCH too smart a dog. I think that goes with the terrier and watchdog personality."

Below are photos of him as a pup. "You would not know it is the same dog. The color change is now complete. He is completely cream-colored, with the gray face/beard. Very fine fur, which has a tendency to mat. I use "detangler" to keep it under control, and have to groom him daily. Personality is definitely a mix of the two breeds. Wants to sit in your lap and guard your stuff!"

"You can still see some of the brown markings. He still has dark guard hairs if I let him go long. The battle is between very pretty, long hair and matting up problems."

Close up front view - A small, fluffy, black with white and tan Shih Apso puppy is sitting on a couch, it is looking down and forward.

Coco the Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix (Shih Apso) puppy at 9 weeks old

The left side of a longhaired black with white and tan Shih Apso dog that has a pink ribbon in its hair. It is looking forward.

Coco the Lhasa Apso / Shih Tzu mix (Shih Apso) at 5 months old

A longhaired, thick coated, white Shih Apso is laying down across a brick porch and it is looking forward. It has black eyes and a brown nose.

Enzo the Shih Apso at 1½ years old—"We got him as a present from a friend, who’s the owner of his purebred Lhasa Apso father! His mother is a purebred Shih Tzu. Enzo has the looks and the temperament of a Lhasa; I even questioned myself if his mother was really a Shih Tzu…LOL. He is a very jealous guy; a bit moody and aggressive, but I love him just the way he is!"

A wavy coated furry white with tan Shih Apso puppy is sleeping on its side on a carpet. It has a black nose.

Enzo the Shih Apso puppy at 3 months old

See more examples of the Shih Apso