Paulina KorczakThe Shih Tzu mixed with a Gold Retriever is quite possibly the weirdest cross-breed I’ve ever seen, the size of a Shih Tzu with the face of a Golden Retriever = pure madness!
However, the Shihtzu and Golden Retriever mix is still a very loving and loyal breed, as the dog will have the kind traits of a Golden Retriever and the playful nature of a Shih Tzu. It could be a perfect combination for someone that wants the best of both worlds, but it’s a very uncommon breed given the size differences. It’s not frowned upon to breed a Shih Tzu with a Golden Retriever, but it’s neither recommended nor a popular choice.
It just doesn’t seem right or ethical to me – but if you’re looking for a loyal and loving pet, with the friendliness of a Golden Retriever and the playfulness of a Shih Tzu, then this could be an ideal cross-breed for you. Just make sure it’s from a reputable breeder so that you know the pup has been bred responsibly.
Golden Retriever mixed with a Shih Tzu
The ‘Golden Retriever mixed with a Shih Tzu‘ is a very uncommon but loving, playful and loyal breed, you won’t see these very often in the park or on walks, but when you do the mischievous little pup will likely cling onto your leg with excitement. I recently saw one for the first time, and it was just the weirdest thing – his face looked like a Golden Retriever, but he had the body size of a Shih Tzu. Small, cute and playful.
Picture of a Golden Retriever mixed with a Shih Tzu
Here’s a picture of a Golden Retriever mixed with a Shih Tzu – this is what you have come for, right? Well – here it is!
Traits of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a large, loving and gentle breed, they are commonly used as assistance dogs and as family pets, given their kind personalities. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty and friendly nature towards people, other dogs and household pets, and are very patient and kind dogs.
Not only does the Golden Retriever have all of the kindest and most loyal traits, but it is also an obedient breed that can learn quickly and respond well to training. They also love to be active, requiring regular walks and exercise, and are known to be very fast runners. In short – the Golden Retriever is a great breed for anyone that has a young family and needs a reliable companion in the home, or to go on walks/runs with!
Traits of the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small and friendly breed, known for its playful nature and affectionate personality. They are alert, loyal and intelligent dogs that can be trained with ease – however, they have the tendency to bark a lot when they feel threatened or uncomfortable. The opposite of a Golden Retriever, as they are relatively calm and quiet.
They are also known for their long, luxurious coats that require regular brushing and trimming – whereas, the Golden Retriever has a thick double coat that sheds quite a bit. The Shih Tzu is also not an active breed, they can be quite lazy and require minimal exercise as they are relatively small, and aren’t very fast.
Traits of the Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix
With all of the above considered, you have two very loyal, playful and friendly breeds, however, of different sizes, temperaments, coat types and exercise needs. So, what do you get when you mix the two breeds?
According to the American Kennel Club, you could expect your Golden Retriever and Shih Tzu mix to have the following traits:
- A loving and loyal nature
- Playful personality
- Loves cuddles and giving kisses
- Intelligent and relatively easy to train
- A thick double coat that needs regular grooming
- Barky temperament
- Medium energy levels, requiring regular walks and exercise
- Moderately sized (a combination of both breeds)
So, very similar to a Golden Retriever but with some of the smaller, more playful traits of the Shih Tzu.
Do Golden Retrievers mixed with Shih Tzu have health problems?
As the breed is incredibly rare, it’s unknown whether a Golden Retriever mixed with Shih Tzu will have any inherent health problems – so it’s very risky to own one without having done your research, and there’s no knowing whether they may develop problems in later life. Other crossbreeds like the Golden Retriever Lab mix have much-better-documented health histories which makes them a safer bet.
I wouldn’t recommend this crossbreed to anyone that wants to play it safe and avoid any complications in the future – it could result in a costly vet bill, and the risk might not be worth it (for you or your pet).
I’m happy to take the risk – where do I find a Golden Retriever Shih Tzu Mix?
If you are happy to take the risk and would like to find a Golden Retriever mixed with Shih Tzu, I suggest speaking to your local animal shelter and rescue centres as these types of crossbreeds are not very common, but they may have some in their care.
I would always recommend getting a rescue dog where possible! There are too many unloved dogs in this world that require care and attention, but it may not be possible due to how rare this mix is. But it’s worth a try!
You can also check online for breeders that specialise in this crossbreed, as well as social media pages dedicated to searching for homes for mixed breeds like these. But we would always recommend researching the breeder well before ever considering getting a puppy from them. Check reviews, get references and make sure you’re happy before making a commitment.
Our expert opinion and conclusion
The Golden Retriever and Shih Tzu mix is a unique combination of two beloved breeds, but it’s also a risky one as they aren’t very popular and haven’t been studied in-depth, like other crossbreeds. I’m also not a big fan of two breeds with significant size differences being used for mating – as it can lead to unwanted health complications that could have been avoided – it’s also not fair on the poor Shih Tzu!
That being said, if you’re willing to take the risk – find a reputable breeder or rescue centre, then you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly loyal, playful and loving companion that will give you lots of joy for many years to come. Just make sure you do your research and understand the risks involved with this mix. Good luck and happy pet parenting!
Paulina Korczak
