Shitzu/Pekinese hybrids..

[james_lazarus]

I recently acquired an adorable Shitzu/Pekingese hybrid...does anyone know about how one should raise such a puppy? I understand they are very intelligent but require attention since they think they are little princes/princesses.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Hi -

The best thing you can do for this puppy is just think of it as a puppy, not as some special "prince/princess" type. There isn't anything more "princessy" about this mix of breeds than any other dog. Most of what a dog eventually becomes is based on how it's handled. If you WANT your dog to be like a princess, you could do that by treating it like a princess all the time - but you'd probably end up with a problem dog.

We see a lot of little dogs that act spoiled because people tend to spoil them - they're tiny, they're cute, and they get away with things that a big dog wouldn't. But when it comes right down to it, they are all just dogs.

Get her into a good puppy kindergarten, teach her obedience, try not to coddle her too much, feed her good food and make her have manners (so many little dogs don't, but that's 100% a TRAINING error not something inherent in little dogs).

By the way, the mix of those two breeds would just be a mixed breed, not a hybrid. I'm sure she's really cute!

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[Herschel]

Hi -

The best thing you can do for this puppy is just think of it as a puppy, not as some special "prince/princess" type. There isn't anything more "princessy" about this mix of breeds than any other dog. Most of what a dog eventually becomes is based on how it's handled. If you WANT your dog to be like a princess, you could do that by treating it like a princess all the time - but you'd probably end up with a problem dog.

We see a lot of little dogs that act spoiled because people tend to spoil them - they're tiny, they're cute, and they get away with things that a big dog wouldn't. But when it comes right down to it, they are all just dogs.

Get her into a good puppy kindergarten, teach her obedience, try not to coddle her too much, feed her good food and make her have manners (so many little dogs don't, but that's 100% a TRAINING error not something inherent in little dogs).

By the way, the mix of those two breeds would just be a mixed breed, not a hybrid. I'm sure she's really cute!

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

Well said.

 

[SummerRiot]

... do you know what potential health problems you have stepped into?

All puppies need attention regardless of breed. Training is the #1 thing that you can do for your puppy. Basic commands like Sit, Stay, Come, Down. are needed for ALL breeds.

Melanie said things best.

 

[mrose_s]

I agree with Melanie.
I try to steer clear of little dogs as I've got "cute small dog syndrome" and I let little dogs get away with things I wouldn't let bigger dogs get away with, which would just create problem dogs adding to the stereotype that little dogs are anklebiters.

Rasing a dog can be great fun, but if not done properly you can find yourself working hard to undo behavioural problems later on.
A good puppy pre-school/obediance club is a fantastic place to start.

Stick around, there is tonnes of info to learn here.