What kind of dog do I have?!

I have what I always thought was a shi-poo. She's about 7 months old. The mom is definatly a shih-tzu and the breeder told me that the father was a min. poodle. But I took her to the groomer's for the first time today and the woman took one look at her and said "What is she crossed with, maltese and what?" I had to tell her 2 or 3 times that she was shih-tzu and poodle and she really couldn't believe that she wasn't a maltese cross. Then when I got home I looked at some maltese x shih-tzu and she really does look like that! Anyone want to take a look and offer your oppinion? Here's her page,

http://dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=77735&j=t

Thanks!

RoAnne

 

Hi there. First let me say, you're puppy is so cute!!! I had to reply because she looks a bit like my dog. I am no expert, but I don't see why she isn't a shih-tzu/poodle. A lot of the little dog crosses end up looking similiar. I have a pekinese/poodle cross and she's white with apricot ears. She's a big white fluff ball and everyone always thinks she's a maltese mix. I looked up maltipoo's and pekapoo's and many look very similar. I would say that since you talked with the breeder, chances are she's telling the truth about the mix.
I need to figure out how to post a photo, so I can show you my baby.

 

Wow, just did a quick search and she really does look like a maltipoo. But in the first picture of her sitting in the grass I see shih tzu in her profile.

 

You puppy looks a lot like mine. Teddy is a shihpoo (shih-tzu/miniture poodle mix). Here is the link to my puppy: www.dogster.com/?111558

 

She totally looks like a Malti-poo! I have one and they look just alike! She's a doll and now I want another one. Love her no matter what! I'll post her picture later.

 

As a groomer, I see a lot of mixed breed dogs. She looks like a shih-poo to me. Malti-poos tend to have lighter bone and a longer muzzle. They also tend to have longer, straighter legs than the shih-poos, and smaller feet.

 

I know a breeder of mixes. A mix can quite often look very much like another mix. It just seems your shihpoo took more so after the poodle. From the from view his mouth looks like a shih tzu. Poodles have sort of straight hair till their adult coat come in. With legs and body length it reall just depends on which dog the genes are being pulled from. I saw a poodle mix at the shelter. The only thing that did not look like a poodle on it was its muzzle. It was mixed the shih or peke. But also your mix could have a poodle mom, or pop that has short legs if your has short legs. Not everyone mixes dogs that look perfect. I saw a bichon the other day, and what did I say. Is that a maltipoo? I think you have a shihpoo, just like the breeder said. You should believe your breeder over the groomer.

 

I think she thought she was a maltese X because she doesn't have curly poodle hair. I always just thought she had the shih-tzu hair. It's about 3-4 inches long and slightly wavy. Or it was! She looks so cute with her new hair cut. I can't wait to get the pictures back! Thanks for taking the time to look and give your opinion!

RoAnne

 

I have two poodles. Their coats can range from fluffy to curly. But when they are pups it pretty much fluffy and a little wavy. My 5 1/2 month old pups coat is barely starting to curl.
Not all groomers are into knowing the breeds and standards of their coats. A maltese's coat is not as thick as a poodles. Wavy when short most times. But when its long it gets weightier and straightens. I would not doubt that some blow dry it even straighter. I blow dry my poos. You liitle one is very cute by the way. Some groomers just want to make money and don't give a hoot what it is they are trimming. Not that you are like that Shiny. You sounds well informed.

 

LOL Puttin. A lot of breeders don't know their standards or coats, either.

When it comes to grooming, it really doesn't matter. What you have is what you have. A good groomer does the best with what they have to work with. I treat them all like they were my own dogs, and try to get the best results with the coat I'm presented with.

Some mixed breeds, and even purebreds, get a cut that isn't what you would call a 'standard' cut. But it's what the owner wants, or what works best with the conformation and condition of the coat.

I've done Poodles in Bichon cuts, Bedlington cuts, even Wheaten cuts. Ive done some mixes in Wheaten cuts, Border terrier cuts, Kerry Blue cuts and the most popular with owners; Dandie Dinmont cuts.

I love it when an owner presents me with a hairy little dog and says "I don't care what you do. Just make him clean, cute, and easy to take care of". Out come the picture books and photo albums, and I get to create something unique.

I've not only been grooming for over 30 years, I've bred and shown dachshunds and bull terriers in conformation and obedience, handled many other breeds at shows, and worked as a vet tech for many years. Breed standards are no mystery to me, even the new and rare breeds.

Grooming is my profession, but dogs are my passion. I'm constantly researching new breeds, new techniques, new equipment to make the grooming experience as stressfree and easy as possible, and to give my clients options when they don't want the same old same old.

 

Well shucks and you are all the way in Illinoise. How many actual Dandie Dinmonts do you come across. I keep telling my sister that she either has one or a mix. They seem to think those pictures they see with the hair all foofed up on its head is how it stays always without any spray. I say its sprayed. What say you????? Not alot of people know what they are.

 

Outside of dog shows, we don't run across very many of them. And you're almost right. It's sprayed, back combed, teased, powdered, gelled...you name it, they do it. The same is true for Westies and Cairns. And poodles, too, get their fair share of hair spray, gel or mousse.

 

LOL well having poodles I know about them. Even the wiggies they use. Mine are not show dogs, just pets. I almost feel bad calling them that even. They are my babies.

 

I get that a lot too with my shih-poo. They either think she is a Bischon or a Maltese mix...They are their own special breed!!! Too cute!

 

she looks almost exactly like my maltipoo

My pup is a maltese poodle mix...dad was a poodle and mom the maltese...i've read that the dad's genes are dominant so it could be the poodle that makes them look so much alike. I thought i saw shit-zu in a couple of her pictures...

does she get along well with your bigger dog? I also have a choc lab mix and pebbles thinks she is as big as her...they play tug constantly and although the lab is super gentle with her, it's still kinda scary when the pup puts her head inside that big mouth..lol

 

Genetics doesn't work quite that way. Some genes are dominant, some are recessive, and some are modifiers or incomplete dominants. It doesn't matter what parent they come from.

For example, the gene that controls full color expression is dominant over extreme piebald. If mom is a full color dog, not carrying a recessive for piebald, all her puppies will be full color, even if dad is piebald.

 

Pebbles, my multipoo pup...she's about 9 weeks old in this pic...

 

Shineillusion,
have you ever cut a shih tzu into a schnauzer cut?
I have seen one cut liek that, and I really like it. I try to get my groomer to cut Abbey's body and legs like that, but I don't think she really understands. Can you suggest a good way of explaining it?

 

Hmmmmm, I wonder why your groomer doesn't understand if you asked for a schnauzer pattern.

I read that you want to grow Abby's topknot out. Maybe that's why she's confused? Anyway, try asking for this:

Clip the neck and body with a 5 blade. That shouldn't be too short, but still short enough to get the pattern you want. Clip down the back legs to about 2 fingerwidths above the point of the hock, but leave a fringe on the front side of the legs, like a schnauzer. From hock to foot is left full, and scissored neat.

Clip down the shoulder to the elbow. Scissor the front legs and feet into a column, with the feet neatned.

Now, the head. Seeing as you want to grow the topknot out, do you want a round face, or do you want a schnauzer type beard, with clean cheeks? Personally, I'd go with a round face. Your groomer should know what that means. If you prefer clean cheeks with a beard/moustache, ask for a 'sweetheart moustache'.

 

Thanks Shine.
I wanted Abbeys head like a shih tzu, but just her body and legs like a Schnauzer. I have copied andprinted yoru post, so when I go next, I will give it to her and hopefuly she will try it.

Avacado - you mentioned that this is not good for dogs. Can you explain why? I was planning to ask my vet on my next visit, cause I know for us Avacado's are very healthy.