The Labrador Shih Tzu Mix, a Lap Dog With a Retriever’s Heart

One parent was bred to haul fishing nets out of the North Atlantic. The other was bred to sit on silk cushions in a Chinese palace. A Labrador Shih Tzu mix, often called a Shi-Lab, is usually a small to medium, affectionate dog that wants to be wherever you are.

I like this mix more than most people expect me to. It’s friendly, adaptable and less hyper than many Lab crosses. But the coat, the face shape and the way these puppies are produced all need a closer look, so let’s go through them.

Shi-Lab basics

Most Labrador Shih Tzu mixes weigh about 15 to 45 lbs and stand roughly 10 to 20 inches tall. That wide range comes from the parents. According to the AKC, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 lbs and stand 9 to 10.5 inches tall, while Labs weigh 55 to 80 lbs and stand 21.5 to 24.5 inches.

Here’s the short version I’d give a friend:

All of these are estimates. Mixes don’t follow a standard, and two puppies from one litter can look like they came from different families.

How this cross happens

A Lab and a Shih Tzu almost never mate naturally, because of the size gap. Deliberate litters normally come from a Lab mother through artificial insemination, since a Shih Tzu can’t safely carry big puppies. Many shelter dogs labeled “Lab Shih Tzu mix” are really multigenerational mutts, and a DNA test is the only way to know for sure.

The two parent breeds

Labs were bred as working water dogs in Newfoundland, then refined into gundogs in England. They’re strong and athletic by build, endlessly friendly and very food-motivated.

Shih Tzus were bred purely as companions. The breed is linked with Tibetan monasteries and the Chinese imperial court, and its name means “little lion”. Nearly every Shih Tzu trait, from the flat face to the flowing coat to the calm, sociable temperament, comes from centuries of breeding for life indoors with people.

I think that’s the key to understanding the mix. You’re crossing a worker with a companion. The result usually leans toward the companion side.

Appearance

No two Shi-Labs look quite alike. These are the features that vary most:

• Face: a Lab’s longer muzzle, a Shih Tzu’s short one, or somewhere in between
• Ears: almost always drop ears, from either parent
• Body: longer than tall, with shorter legs in many dogs
• Tail: often plumed and carried over the back
• Eyes: dark and round, sometimes slightly prominent

The muzzle length matters for health, not just looks. I’ll come back to that, because a very short face can cause breathing and eye problems.

Coat and colors

The coat can go Lab, Shih Tzu or wavy. Labs have a short double coat that sheds a lot. Shih Tzus have a long, hair-like coat that sheds very little but grows constantly and mats easily.

Common colors include black, gold, cream, chocolate, white and parti-colored combinations, often with white on the chest or feet. Don’t count on a low-shedding coat. Many Shi-Labs inherit the Lab’s shedding, and some get both: shedding and a coat that tangles.

Temperament and personality

Most Shi-Labs are sweet, sociable and very people-focused. The Lab side brings friendliness and a love of play. The Shih Tzu side brings a calm, affectionate nature and a strong preference for being close to you.

Here’s how the parents compare on daily-life traits:

Read the last row twice. Both parents are people dogs, and a Shi-Lab left alone for 9 hours a day is likely to be an unhappy one. Barking, chewing and house soiling are common signs of a dog that can’t cope with long absences.

With families and other pets

Shi-Labs are usually great with kids who play gently. Shih Tzus are known as one of the friendliest small breeds with children, and Labs are famously patient. A small, lighter dog can still be hurt by rough handling, so I’d supervise toddlers and teach kids to sit on the floor to cuddle instead of picking the dog up.

Most get along well with other dogs and cats. Their prey drive is usually low, which makes them easier in multi-pet homes than many hunting-breed crosses.

Exercise needs

Plan on 30 to 60 minutes of activity a day, split into two or three outings. A Shi-Lab is rarely a marathon dog, but it still needs real walks and play to stay fit and settled.

Here’s what works well for this mix:

• Two relaxed walks with plenty of sniffing
• Indoor fetch with a soft toy
• Short trick-training sessions
• A puzzle feeder or snuffle mat at mealtime
• Gentle swims, for Lab-leaning dogs with longer muzzles

Short-faced dogs overheat quickly. If your Shi-Lab has a flat face, keep summer walks to early mornings and evenings, skip hard exercise on warm days and watch for loud, labored breathing. That’s when it’s time to stop, cool off and call your vet if it doesn’t settle fast.

Living in Oregon, my walks with Buck happen in the rain more often than not, and he plows through every puddle on the trail. A small, long-coated Shi-Lab won’t love that, so a towel by the door and a quick blow-dry after wet walks keep the coat from matting.

Training

Shi-Labs are smart and keen to please, but they can be stubborn. Labs are among the easiest breeds to train, while Shih Tzus have a reputation for doing things in their own time. Most Shi-Labs land somewhere in the middle.

These are the training priorities I’d set:

1. Housetraining, with a routine and frequent trips out. Smaller dogs need more chances.
2. Crate training, so the dog has a safe place and learns to settle
3. Short alone-time practice from puppyhood
4. Handling for grooming: paws, ears, face and brushing
5. A reliable recall and loose-leash walking

Keep sessions short, fun and food-based. In my experience, small, sensitive dogs switch off fast if training turns into nagging. Five minutes, three times a day, beats one long session.

Teaching a Shi-Lab to be alone

This is the training job I’d start on day one. Both parents want company, and separation problems are much easier to prevent than to fix. I’d begin with a few minutes in another room while the puppy chews something tasty, then step outside for five minutes, then ten. Leave calmly, come back calmly, and don’t make a fuss either way.

A crate or a puppy pen in a quiet corner helps many dogs settle, as long as it’s always linked to good things. If your dog howls, chews the door frame or has accidents only when you’re out, that’s a sign of real stress. Talk to your vet or a reward-based trainer early rather than hoping it passes. A camera on the dog while you’re out shows you what really happens, and it’s often the first thing a trainer will ask to see.

Grooming

Grooming depends almost entirely on the coat type your dog inherits. Here’s what I’d expect for each:

• Short, Lab-type coat: a rubber curry brush once a week, more during spring and fall shedding
• Long, Shih Tzu-type coat: brushing every day or two, plus a professional trim every 6 to 8 weeks
• Wavy, in-between coat: brushing two or three times a week, and occasional trims around the eyes, feet and rear

Mats are the main problem with longer coats. Once they form close to the skin, they’re painful and often have to be shaved out. A “puppy cut” keeps the coat short and much easier to manage, and many owners stick with it for life.

Here are the other basics I wouldn’t skip:

• Daily eye wipes for short-faced dogs
• Check and clean the ears weekly, since hair and drop ears trap moisture
• Brush teeth several times a week (small dogs are prone to dental disease)
• Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks

Start handling early. A Shi-Lab that’s used to the brush and the clippers as a puppy is far easier, and cheaper, to groom as an adult.

Health and lifespan

Most Labrador Shih Tzu mixes live about 11 to 15 years. Shih Tzus are one of the longer-lived breeds, with AKC listing 10 to 18 years, and Labs typically live 11 to 13. Crossbreeding doesn’t guarantee better health, so it’s worth knowing the risks from both sides.

This is the health watch list I’d keep:

A bulging or injured eye is an emergency. Short-faced dogs have more exposed eyes, and an eye that pops forward or gets scratched needs a vet or emergency clinic right away.

I’m not a vet, and your own vet is the best person to check your dog’s airway, eyes and knees. Ask any breeder for health records on both parents.

Is a Shi-Lab good for apartments and older owners?

Yes, this is one of the better Lab mixes for apartment life. I get this question a lot from readers who love Labs but don’t have the space or the knees for one anymore. A 25 lb dog with moderate energy is a lot easier to manage on stairs, in elevators and on a leash than a 75 lb retriever.

There are a few things I’d still think about before saying yes:

• Daily walks don’t go away, even with a small dog
• Grooming a long coat takes time, or money for a groomer every 6 to 8 weeks
• A dog that hates being alone can bark enough to upset the neighbors
• Lab-leaning puppies can grow bigger than you planned

For older owners, I’d strongly consider an adult rescue. You skip the puppy chewing and housetraining stage, and you can see the dog’s size, coat and energy before you commit. Buck is 9 now and still pulls toward every puddle, so I know a young retriever’s strength can surprise anyone. A grown Shi-Lab with a known personality takes that guesswork away.

What a grooming budget looks like

Long-coated Shi-Labs cost more to keep than people expect. A professional groom for a small to medium dog often runs somewhere around $50 to $100 in many US areas, every 6 to 8 weeks, and prices vary a lot by region. That adds up to several hundred dollars a year. I’d ask local groomers for a quote before bringing a fluffy puppy home, and I’d learn to do basic brushing and face trims myself between visits.

Feeding a Shi-Lab

Measure every meal. A 20 lb Shi-Lab needs far less food than most owners guess, and the Lab side brings a bottomless appetite. A small-breed or medium-breed adult food, depending on size, is usually a good fit.

Based on my research, weight gain is one of the most common problems in both parent breeds. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard. Count training treats in the daily total, and check with your vet before changing foods or adding supplements.

Pros and cons of a Labrador Shih Tzu mix

I’d sum it up like this. What I like:

• Affectionate, social and usually great with gentle kids
• Moderate energy, so it suits more homes than most Lab mixes
• Often good with other pets
• A long expected lifespan, often well into the teens for a small, lean dog that gets regular dental care

What I’d think hard about:

• The coat can be high-maintenance, and it may still shed
• Short-faced dogs can have breathing and eye problems
• They don’t cope well with long hours alone

If grooming and company are both manageable for you, I think the rest is easy.

Finding one

Shelters and rescues are a good first stop. Search for Lab mixes and Shih Tzu mixes, and ask small-breed rescues too. An adult dog lets you see the coat, size and personality before you commit.

If you buy a puppy, be careful. Deliberate breeding of this cross is uncommon, and it attracts puppy mills. Only buy from someone who uses a Lab mother, lets you meet her, shares health records for both parents and asks you questions in return.

FAQ

My last word on the Shi-Lab

This is a companion first and an athlete second. Keep its coat tidy, keep it lean and keep it close, and a Shi-Lab will happily follow you from room to room for the next 15 years.