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Developed in Belgium, the Skip Shzu is a hybrid of the Schipperke and Shih Tzu purebreds. This is a small, dark-colored dog with medium-length hair that has a round head, short muzzle, and dark round eyes, giving it an endearing look. This little guy is full of energy and enjoys a long lifespan of between 15 and 18 years.
Breed Overview
Height:
10 – 13 inches
Weight:
10 – 15 pounds
Lifespan:
15 – 18 years
Colors:
Black, brown, tan (sometimes with white or cream on its chest)
Suitable for:
Active individuals and families and those looking for a small, affectionate, fun-loving dog
Temperament:
Energetic, intelligent, friendly, feisty, affectionate, playful, stubborn
If you’re looking for a loyal companion that has lots of energy and loves to have fun, a Skip Shzu is a good pick. While this dog can be hyper, it’s a relatively easy dog to train and one that is eager to please its human owners. Just beware that a Skip Shzu will need regular grooming to keep his silky and thick coat in check. Even though it’s not big, a Skip Shzu makes a good watchdog as it will alert its owners to approaching strangers.
This dog gets along well with people of all ages. However, due to its feisty nature and high energy levels, it may not be the best pet for a family with small kids who may tease or accidentally hurt the dog during play.
Skip Shzu Characteristics
Skip Shzu Puppies
If you’re fortunate enough to lay your eyes on a litter of Skip Shzu puppies, there’s no doubt your heart will melt! But before you decide to buy one of these adorable and fuzzy pups, you should know a few things to ensure it’s the right puppy for you.
The cute Skip Shzu can be a handful to raise if you don’t have a lot of time or patience. Like mentioned above, this is an energetic dog that’s also very smart. It’s also a dog known to have a stubborn streak that can make training one of these puppies challenging. However, if you dedicate your time and patience to training, you can successfully train a Skip Shzu to become housebroken and to follow some basic commands.
If a Ship Shzu doesn’t get the exercise he needs or if he’s left alone for long periods, he can do some damage around the home. Even though this dog is small, he can find plenty of trouble to get himself into whether that involves chewing up your shoes or finding a place indoors to do his business.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Skip Shzu
The Skip Shzu is a lively, loyal, and affectionate dog that loves to play. This dog can be stubborn at times and especially when it doesn’t get what it wants. This little guy will be your best friend who’ll gladly follow you wherever you go, whether it’s to another room in the house or on a fun-filled outdoor adventure.
Even though the Skip Shzu has a lot of energy, this dog can be calm too. It’s a dog that adores cuddling and one that will spend lots of time laying on your lap doing nothing but loving on you. This dog can be a great house pet and a good apartment dweller too, if he’s given plenty of attention and the opportunity to enjoy regular exercise.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Skip Shzu gets along well with people of all ages, including children. However, since he’s a small bundle of energy, young kids should be taught how to interact with this dog, so he doesn’t get hurt.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
A Skip Shzu can live in harmony with another dog as long as they’re introduced properly. If you have a cat, be sure to introduce your Skip Shzu slowly and carefully to your feline so he doesn’t look at it as prey. Concerning smaller pets like gerbils or hamsters, it’s best to keep a Skip Shzu away from these types of pets as they could be viewed as prey.
Things to Know When Owning a Skip Shzu:
When you decide to get a Skip Shzu, you must be committed to putting forth a lot of time, money, and effort toward raising a happy and healthy dog. It’s also essential to know a few things about Skip Shzu dogs before pulling the trigger on buying one.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
A Skip Shzu is an active dog that burns lots of calories. But that doesn’t mean this dog can’t get fat. You should provide your Skip Shzu with high-quality dog food and ongoing opportunities for adequate exercise to keep his weight in check. It’s fine to provide a Skip Shzu with some tasty dog treats now and then as long as you don’t go overboard.
A Skip Shzu will most likely overeat if you leave food down around the clock. That’s why you should not leave your dog’s bowl on the floor full of food. It’s a better idea to feed your dog three meals a day and pick up his food dish when he’s done eating.
Exercise 🐕
At the very least, a Skip Shzu needs an hour of physical activity a day, but the more the better! This dog loves being active and it’s in his nature to want to move and explore the world around him.
Plan on taking your dog for at least two good walks each day with each walk lasting at least 30 minutes. Spend time every day playing with your dog so he burns off some energy and bonds with you. Whether you opt for a rousing game of fetch outside or a game of indoor hide-and-seek, your Skip Shzu is sure to love every minute of it!
Training 🎾
Considering that a Skip Shzu is an intelligent dog, it’s easy for this dog to learn how to behave and follow commands. However, since this breed tends to be stubborn, you’ll have to use patience when training your dog. If your dog refuses to follow a simple command like “stay” or “sit” be persistent. Always speak in a gentle yet firm manner so your dog knows you’re the boss.
This dog can excel at agility training with its intelligence, energy, and stamina so do consider signing up for an agility training course. Not only will your dog benefit, but you’ll enjoy watching your athletic little dog showing off his skills!
Grooming ✂️
It’s a good idea to brush up on your grooming skills when you own a Skip Shzu because this dog will need to be groomed regularly. It has a thick, medium-to-long coat that can become tangled and matted if neglected.
Pick up a good-quality dog brush and some dog shampoo for washing your dog when he needs it. You should also clip your dog’s nails every couple of weeks to keep them from overgrowing or breaking off. You can do this job yourself with a pair of dog nail clippers or ask a groomer or vet to do it for you.
Another grooming task you should do is teeth brushing using a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste. Once you get the hang of brushing your dog’s teeth, it will be second nature to you, so give yourself time to feel comfortable doing this job.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Generally speaking, the Skip Shzu is a dog that enjoys living a long and healthy life. However, this breed is susceptible to some health conditions you should be aware of.
Male vs Female
If you are ready to get a Skip Shzu but don’t know if you should get a male or female, remember that every dog is unique, regardless of its sex. With that in mind, male Skip Shzus tend to be more independent than females. On the other hand, a female Skip Shzu usually matures faster than a male, which means a girl dog will be easier to train.
If you want your dog to be super playful, consider a male because they tend to be more playful than their female counterparts. Males also tend to be more protective of property than females which would be great if you’re looking for a guard dog.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Skip Shzu
1. It’s Not Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
You won’t find the Skip Shzu listed on the American Kennel Club website under its breed information. This is most likely due to the rarity of this breed as the AKC does not register breeds with too few dogs in the United States.
2. There’s Little History of the Breed
You’d be hard-pressed to dig into the history of the Skip Shzu dog breed because frankly, there’s not much history out there. What we do know is that this dog was developed about 30 years ago in Belgium which is where the Schipperke comes from. Other than that, the background info on the Skip Shzu is pretty much unknown, at least for now.
3. It’s Not the Easiest Breed to Track Down
This is one of the most challenging dog breeds to find because it’s simply not common. If you have your heart set on getting a Skip Shzu, you must be willing to expand your search outside of your area. If you want a puppy, try to find a Ship Shzu breeder you can contact to see if any puppies are planned. If not, ask the breeder if they know of others who breed these lovable small dogs.
Final Thoughts
While it may prove challenging to track down a Skip Shzu for sale, all the effort you put forth will be well worth it in the end! These small active dogs make wonderful family pets, plus they’re as cute as they can be with their big eyes and floppy ears covered in hair! Be sure to spend lots of time with your dog so he can enjoy a healthy and happy life living with you and your family.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Schipperke (Dulova Olga, Shutterstock); Right – Shih Tzu (Michael Mong, Shutterstock)
