Shiranian (Shih-Tzu & Pomeranian Mix) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Shiranian dog is a cross between the Shih-Tzu and a Pomeranian, and what you get from that cross is a whole lot of adorableness. These puppies grow to between 7 and 10 inches tall and weigh from 4 to 13 pounds when fully grown.

Breed Overview

Shiranian dogs are most suited for families but need to be with someone who spends most of their time at home because they don’t like to be alone. This is the perfect pet for someone who is looking for a close companion, as this breed does become closely bonded to its owner.

If you’ve been considering purchasing or adopting a Shiranian dog, then there are a few things you should know before taking that leap. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you should know to make an informed decision on whether this is the right breed of dog for you and your family.

Shiranian Characteristics

Shiranian Puppies

As previously stated, the Shiranian is a Shih-Tzu Pomeranian mixed breed, so the puppy will have many of its parents’ traits. Make sure that you purchase or adopt your puppy from a reputable breeder or rescue shelter for the best results and so that your puppy will be in good health.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shiranian

The Shiranian dog breed has been described as calm, playful, and friendly many times. They have a pretty even temperament but do suffer from separation anxiety. In fact, they are so eager to be with their owners that it is sometimes hard to train them. You don’t want a Shiranian if you’re gone all the time because they do not do well with being alone at all. Socializing and training your pet in puppyhood is an excellent way to teach them that being alone for a bit of time is good, but don’t expect them to like it or not to misbehave if you leave them alone.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

As a family pet, this breed is exceptional. They’re loyal, loving, and eager to please. However, since this is a tiny dog, it is not recommended that you leave them alone with smaller children. They are too fragile and easy to harm. However, you don’t have to worry about the dog becoming aggressive and biting your small children, just the other way around. The dog should get along well with older children, so this is something to think about before deciding whether you want to give this pet a forever home or not.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

This breed of dog gets along well with pets that they are introduced to when they are puppies. As with any other type of dog breed, it’s best to socialize and train the Shiranian breed as puppies. As a matter of fact, having other pets in your home could help your dog cope with the separation anxiety he feels when you’re gone.

Things to Know When Owning a Shiranian

There are a few other things that you should know about when owning a Shiranian if you’ve decided at this point to go ahead and purchase one as a pet. We’ll talk about these things in our next section.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since the Shiranian is a small breed dog, you need to feed them according to the requirements for small breeds. This breed is prone to obesity, so you want to be careful with what you feed him and how much you’re feeding him a day. When it comes to this breed, you shouldn’t go into feeding him blind. Instead, talk to your vet to see the best diet for your tiny friend.

Exercise 🐕

This breed consists of moderately active dogs, so their exercise needs are about the same as your average person. This means you should walk your pet at least once a day, and a short walk is fine. Even if you live in an apartment and don’t have a yard, a walk per day and a trip to the dog park will keep your Shiranian happy and healthy.

Training 🎾

While highly intelligent, the Shiranian breed is also quite stubborn, especially when it comes to training them. You’re going to have to be a patient person, especially when it comes to housebreaking this breed. Luckily, obedience school works well with Shiranians, so it’s something you might want to consider. Start socializing and training your dog when he’s a puppy for the best results as well.

Grooming ✂️

The grooming needs of this breed can be determined by the type of hair he has. Some Shiranians have long hair, while others’ hair is a bit shorter. However, most have longer hair, which will need to be brushed daily. Also, check his ears often for dirt, so he doesn’t end up with an ear infection, and brush his teeth once or twice a week. It’s a good idea to keep regular appointments with a groomer also.

Health and Conditions 🏥

As with any crossbreed dog, you have to watch out for serious and minor conditions he might have inherited from his parents. The Shiranian is no exception. We’ll list a few conditions to watch out for below. If you see any of these conditions in your pet, contact your vet right away.

Male vs. Female

When it comes to differences between the sexes of the Shiranian breed, the male is a little bigger than the female. So, although the breed as a whole is going to be small, the male might have a little more in the way of pounds than his female counterpart. When it comes to temperament and the type of personality the dog has, it has very little to do with whether the dog is a male or female but with the individual dog itself.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shiranian

1. No Two Shiranian Pups Look Alike

While it has happened, the chance of a Shiranian looking like another Shiranian is extremely rare. There are just too many color and coat type combinations for that to be likely.

2. Brushing Is Extremely Important

While some dog breeds don’t have a lot of grooming requirements, this breed does. Brushing your Shiranian daily is essential for him to have a shiny coat and fur that isn’t matted and tangled. It’s also important to brush his teeth daily as well.

3. Don’t Expect This Breed to Guard Your Home

Shiranian dogs aren’t guard dogs, so if you’re looking for a dog to protect your home when you’re away, you’re better off going with another breed. These dogs just don’t go on alert and get upset when someone comes to the front door.

Final Thoughts

This concludes our guide on the Shiranian dog breed. These tiny, adorable creatures will make a great pet for a family or a single person looking for a lifelong companion. Remember, however, to do your research into the breeder, and tally up the costs in price and time it’ll take to be a pet owner to this breed. If you decide this is the pet for you, then it is time to go out and give this adorable dog a forever home with you and your family.

Featured Image Credit: Pheobus, Shutterstock