The Shih Poo is a fairly new hybrid that blends the Shih Tzu and the Poodle.
The History of the Shih Tzu:
- One of the oldest breeds
- Favored by Chinese royals and can be traced back to the Tang dynasty- 618-907
- During the Chinese Revolution, this breed was almost eradicated
- Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1938
The History of the Poodle:
- Can be traced to Roman & Egyptian times
- The French used the variety of poodle sizes for duck hunting, sniffing out truffles and small companions
- Used in circuses because of how quickly they learned tricks
- Was the most popular breed in America from the 1950's to the 90's