The Shih Poo is a small, affectionate designer crossbreed, a Shih Tzu crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Usually around 4 to 8 kilos, with a soft wavy-to-curly low-shedding coat, the Shih Poo is a cheerful, gentle, people-focused companion that blends the laid-back Shih Tzu with the clever Poodle. Coats and temperaments vary a lot in a crossbreed, and the low-shedding coat still needs real grooming, which is the main thing to understand before adopting one.
Shih Poos reach Sydney and NSW rescue when their grooming needs and dislike of being left alone are underestimated, when they are bought as low-maintenance and turn out not to be, or when an owner's circumstances change. Purebred is not really the right word for a crossbreed, so coat and temperament vary, and the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children and other animals matters more than the label.
A Shih Poo suits an owner or family who want a gentle, affectionate companion, who are home a good deal, and who can commit to regular coat care. In the right home it is a devoted and easygoing little dog. Browse the Shih Poos and Shih Poo crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
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List your dog for rehoming →Shih Poo Adoption Guides
The pre-adoption reading list specific to Shih Poos in Sydney and NSW.
Shih Poo Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt a Shih Poo in Sydney, the real costs, and the coat and companionship needs to plan for.
Shih Poo Health Issues to Plan For
Patellar luxation, dental disease, eye conditions and the checks every Shih Poo owner should plan for.
Shih Poo Grooming & Coat Care in Sydney
The wavy low-shedding doodle coat that mats easily, brushing versus a puppy clip, and coat care in humid Sydney.
Shih Poo Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Shih Poo near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Shih Poos available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Shih Poos above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Shih Poo rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Shih Poos and Shih Poo crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Shih Poos available near you.
Are these Shih Poos for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Shih Poo here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "shih poo for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Shih Poo in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Shih Poo costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Shih Poo is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Shih Poos have?
As a crossbreed the Shih Poo can inherit conditions from both the Shih Tzu and the Poodle sides, so hybrid vigour is not a guarantee of health. Common things to plan for are patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap), dental disease because of the small crowded mouth, and eye conditions, and some Shih Poos inherit the Shih Tzu's flatter face and can be a little heat-sensitive. A rescue Shih Poo arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted. Ask your vet about dental, knee and eye checks.
Are Shih Poos hypoallergenic?
Not reliably. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and because the Shih Poo is a crossbreed its coat varies: some are more low-shedding like the Poodle, others shed more like the Shih Tzu. Many Shih Poos suit allergy-sensitive homes better than a heavy-shedding breed, but there is no guarantee, so spend time with the individual dog first. A rescue can tell you what an individual dog's coat is actually like day to day.
How much grooming does a Shih Poo need?
A fair amount, and this is the thing most often underestimated. Low-shedding does not mean low-maintenance, because the wavy or curly coat traps loose hair and mats easily without frequent brushing, especially around the face, ears, legs and rear. Plan on brushing several times a week plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks, or keep the dog in a shorter puppy clip, which is very practical in the Sydney climate. A matted rescue Shih Poo may be clipped down on intake and grown out again in a home.
Are Shih Poos good family dogs?
Yes, in an interactive home. Shih Poos are gentle, affectionate and playful, and many do well with children and other pets when socialised, suiting older, gentle children rather than rough toddler play because they are small. They bond closely and do not like being left alone for long. Supervise interactions with young children. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children, cats and other pets in foster or shelter care.