July 13, 2008
Adopting a dog from shelter and need to know….?
Hey there. So, I am trying to decide on two dogs that I found at the animal rescue. I have been able to spend time with both, and just adore them. I was kind of looking for a pure bred, but every dog there it seems is mixed. So, one of the dogs I like is about 3 months and is a Shihtzu/Yorkshire Terrier mix; or so they think. The other dog I like is a 7 month old Shihtzu/Poodle mix; or so they think. My question is, what would the temperments most likely be? Anyone out there with experience with a dog mixed such as these? I really want to give one of these sweethearts a good home by next week. I want a small breed so what are the sizes most likely going to be for the two? What do you recommend? Thank you! 
If anyone can give me info on a shihtzu/yorkie or shihtzu/poodle that would be wonderful. Originally I was looking for a Shih tzu because I had a shih tzu and she passed away after 14 years. But honestly I just went in there in search of the dog that stole my heart. There is also a Jack Russell Terrier/ Blue Heeler mix that I loved! But I am not too sure how big he will become or about the breeds he is mixed with?
since they are mixed breed dogs.. there is no way to know for sure the exact size or temperment..
look up shih tzus, yorkies, and poodles to get a general idea.
The shih/yorkie may favor the shih tzu more.. or it may favor the yorkie more.. or it could be a mix in-between. Its only 3 months, so it will grow more. Shih Tzus and Yorkies are both small breeds.. so if this dog really is that mix, he should stay small. Keep in mind tho, they are guessing the breed.
the poodle/ shih mix.. could favor the Shih more, or the poodle more.. or something in between… since its already 7 months old, its pretty well full grown, and the temperment is already known.
Things to consider.. are you ready to housebreak and train a young puppy? If not, you may want to opt for the 7 month old.. even if he's not totally housebroken, he is able to hold it longer and can focus more easily on training than the 3 month old.
Filed under Yorkshire Terrier Rescue by admin
Comments on Adopting a dog from shelter and need to know….? »
With any mixed breed it's temperment is going to be questionable since you don't know exactly what you are getting.
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When you're dealing with mixed breeds, the best way to find out the temperament/personality, is just to meet the dog (which you've done).
Size-wise, both of these will remain on the ''small'' side, most likely.
Personally, I would go with the 7 month old, just because his chances are a little slimmer than the 3 month old puppy, when it comes to getting adopted.
The Jack Russell/Blue Heeler mix would be confusing for me. I LOVE the Australian Cattle dog breed (aka Blue Heeler), but I'm not a fan of the activeness & stubbornness of Jack Russells. LOL I guess it would depend on which breed the dog resembles & behaves like.
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the two dogs i have gotten from shelters are from the toy breed. Both have been very sweet and excellent temperment. My mother got a yorkie from a rescue and other than being a little skidish he is perfect.
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i woukd peolly say the shih zhu poodle bc they r smaller breeds and if the other is a terrier mix it may be a bigger terrier bc usually humane societys don't no what kind of terrier it would be they both should be well tempered. good coice on saving a pet that needs a home! i am totally for that!
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I have a shih tzu poodle mix and she is the best thing that ever happened to me. She is sweet and out going but she can calm down as well. She is very enterjetic but a lot calmer than a jack russle and she is the cutest thing ever I suggest you go with that as I also have two yorkies and the male is very hateful towards other dogs and the female is shy and skittish so yes definately the shoodle (shih tzu/poodle)
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Get the shih tzu/Yorkie mix, is 3 mos old, will be more receptive to training and will have a better temperament…
the 7 mo old deserves a good home, but is 7 mos old, and may present alittle more challenge to train….but maybe not…pick the dog that fits your life style….take both, yes, that would settle it huh
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The Shih Tzu/Yorkie mix may be smaller and therefore possibly more prone to yippiness and nervousness, based on the Shih Tzus and Yorkies I've seen.
The Shih Tzu/Poodle will likely be more curly, less shedding, and depending on the temperament of the Poodle influence, can either be calm and outgoing, or just as yippy as the Yorkie.
I'd think that both of these would be a little smaller than a Shih Tzu.
If it were me, I'd probably go with the Shih Tzu/Poodle mix, based on the coat. I'd also opt for the older puppy because it means hopefully less housebreaking and chewing hassles. Plus I know the 3 month old is more likely to be adopted because it's younger. But that's just me.
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since they are mixed breed dogs.. there is no way to know for sure the exact size or temperment..
look up shih tzus, yorkies, and poodles to get a general idea.
The shih/yorkie may favor the shih tzu more.. or it may favor the yorkie more.. or it could be a mix in-between. Its only 3 months, so it will grow more. Shih Tzus and Yorkies are both small breeds.. so if this dog really is that mix, he should stay small. Keep in mind tho, they are guessing the breed.
the poodle/ shih mix.. could favor the Shih more, or the poodle more.. or something in between… since its already 7 months old, its pretty well full grown, and the temperment is already known.
Things to consider.. are you ready to housebreak and train a young puppy? If not, you may want to opt for the 7 month old.. even if he's not totally housebroken, he is able to hold it longer and can focus more easily on training than the 3 month old.
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i have grown up with yorkies all my life and i LOVE them.
they are the sweetest dogs and very affectionate.
i have also been around shitzus and same with them.
poodles are very smart but they tend to be very independent and they can be really hyper and yippy.
but since it is a mix u cant rely on just the 2 breeds.
try to see which one u feel a connection with the most.
hope i could help and good luck
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i love dogs
To answer the second part of your question, the Jack Russell / blue heeler would be an extremely high energy dog who needs lots and lots of exercise. Very different in personality from a Shih Tzu mix. Both JRT and blue heeler are strong willed, stubborn dogs. JRTs were bred for hunting and have a strong prey drive. Blue heelers are herding dogs and you have to be tough to push cows around. Blue heelers can get as big as 35 pounds, and JRT 18 pounds so something between that.
Neither of these are cuddly lap dogs. If you like the gentle, mellow Shih Tzu personality, stick with the other dogs. The JRT mix will make you crazy.
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its really hard to tell with mix breeds what temperment youll get..they say that the smaller the dog the worse the temperment is because usually with small dog breeds u get the worst of all the mixes, but not always true. try going to dogbreedinfo.com and look up every mix that is included and read up on them and then decide whats best for you.
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