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Shih Poo Rescue & Adoption Calgary

No Shih Poos listed in Calgary right now — check back, rescue inventory turns over quickly

No dogs in this category are available right now.

Listings refresh regularly as shelters update their sites.

No Shih Poos listed on LocalPetFinder right now

That just means none are on the site at the moment, not that the breed is unavailable. New listings arrive from rescues and local owners all the time. Be first in line, or help one find a home.

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About Shih Poos in Calgary

A Shih Poo is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, one of the most popular small "designer" mixes in Canada. Most weigh 8 to 18 pounds and stand under a foot tall, with the Poodle parent bringing a wavy, lower-shedding coat and the Shih Tzu parent bringing a calm, affectionate, people-focused temperament. Shih Poos are companion dogs first: they want to be near their person, adapt beautifully to apartments and condos, and typically live 13 to 17 years. Because there is no breed standard, coat, size, and energy vary from dog to dog, so a foster home's notes on the specific dog matter far more than the "Shih Poo" label.

Shih Poos turn up in Calgary rescues for the reasons most small companion dogs do: an owner's health or housing changed, a "designer puppy" bought on impulse outgrew the novelty, or the grooming and dental upkeep proved more than expected. They can develop separation anxiety when left alone for long stretches, and the Poodle side means a bright dog that needs a bit of daily engagement. For singles, seniors, remote workers, and families with gentle older children who want a low-shedding, portable lap dog, a Shih Poo is a genuinely good match.

Every Shih Poo listed below comes from 15+ Calgary-area rescues and refreshes regularly. Small, low-shedding mixes like Shih Poos are in high demand and get claimed fast, so apply through the rescue right away if you spot a match. Purebred-labelled Shih Poos are rarer in rescue than other Shih Tzu and Poodle crosses, so it is worth setting an alert and browsing related mixes too.

Looking at all small dogs in Calgary?

Browse every available small dog from 15+ Calgary rescues — including Shih Poos, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, Cavaliers, Boston Terriers, and small mixes — in one place. Listings refresh regularly.

Browse all Calgary small dogs → Read the small dog adoption guide →

Shih Poo adoption & care guides

Breed Guides

Shih Poo Adoption Calgary

Adopt a Shih Poo (Shih Tzu + Poodle mix) in Calgary in 2026. Where to look, $300-$600 fees, Toy vs Mini sizes, and what the designer label really means.

Shih Poo Adoption FAQ

Tap a question to expand

How many Shih Poos are available for adoption in Calgary?▼
As of October 2026, there are no Shih Poos listed in Calgary rescue on LocalPetFinder right now — Shih Poos are among the rarer dogs in local rescue. Inventory turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one, or consider an adoptable Shih Poo mix.
Where can I find a Shih Poo for adoption in Calgary?▼
Shih Poos come into Calgary rescues through owner surrenders and small-dog rescue transfers, though they are in high demand and tend to be claimed quickly. Browse all currently available Calgary Shih Poos and Shih Tzu/Poodle mixes on this page (listings update regularly) and apply through the rescue named on each dog. Adoption runs roughly $300 to $600 and includes spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, and a microchip. If none are listed right now, set an alert and check the Shih Tzu and Poodle-mix pages too, since a Shih Poo is a mix of both and may be tagged either way.
Are Shih Poos hypoallergenic?▼
Shih Poos are often marketed as hypoallergenic because of the Poodle parent, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. The Poodle side gives many Shih Poos a lower-shedding, lower-dander coat that people with mild allergies tolerate better than a heavy-shedding breed. Coats vary dog to dog, though (some take after the Shih Tzu more), and severe allergies or asthma can still react. Before adopting, spend a couple of hours with the specific dog, ideally in your home, then wait 48 hours for any delayed reaction. Some Calgary rescues will arrange a trial foster period specifically for allergy compatibility, so ask.
Are Shih Poos good apartment dogs?▼
Yes, Shih Poos are one of the better small breeds for apartment and condo living. They are small, adaptable, and content with a couple of short daily walks plus indoor play, and most Calgary buildings allow them under small-dog weight limits. The main thing to manage is barking and separation anxiety: Shih Poos bond closely and can be vocal or anxious if left alone for long days, so crate training, enrichment, and a gradual alone-time routine matter. A calm, people-present home suits them best.
How much grooming does a Shih Poo need?▼
Grooming is the biggest ongoing commitment with a Shih Poo. The wavy Poodle-cross coat does not shed much, which means it keeps growing and mats easily without upkeep. Plan on brushing several times a week and a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks (roughly $60 to $110 per visit in Calgary), plus regular ear cleaning (both parent breeds are prone to ear infections from hair in the canal) and dental care. Keeping the coat in a shorter "puppy cut" makes home maintenance much easier, especially through Calgary winters when snow and salt cling to a long coat.
What health issues should I know about with a Shih Poo?▼
Shih Poos are generally sturdy small dogs, but they can inherit issues from either parent, so ask each rescue for the dog's known history. Common areas to watch are dental disease (small mouths crowd teeth, so annual dental care matters), eye problems and some heat or breathing sensitivity in dogs that take after a flatter-faced Shih Tzu, luxating patella (slipping kneecaps, common in small breeds), and ear infections from the floppy, hairy ears. Calgary rescues provide a veterinary assessment before adoption and disclose known conditions. Keeping a Shih Poo lean, on top of dental and ear care, and out of extreme summer heat prevents most of the avoidable problems.
Should I buy or adopt a Shih Poo?▼
For most Calgary households, adopting is the better choice. Adoption fees run $300 to $600 and include spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and a basic vet workup (roughly $700 to $1,200 of care), versus $1,500 to $3,500 or more from a "designer" breeder. Be cautious with breeder listings: "Shih Poo" has no breed standard or registry, so there is no pedigree to pay a premium for, and "teacup" or "rare colour" listings often signal unethical breeding and fragile-dog health problems. Most rescue Shih Poos are adult dogs with an established, foster-evaluated temperament, past the chewing and house-training stage. Buying makes sense only if you have a specific documented reason; for a pet companion, a rescue Shih Poo (or Shih Tzu / Poodle cross) is dramatically cheaper and just as loving.
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Poo in Calgary?▼
Adopting a Shih Poo in Calgary typically costs $300 to $600, and puppies usually carry a premium at $500 to $900. The exact fee varies by rescue, and older dogs are often reduced. That fee is not a purchase price. It covers work already done on the dog: spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and a basic vet workup, which would cost several hundred dollars more if you arranged it yourself after buying. Buying the same breed from a registered breeder generally runs well over $1,000, usually with a waitlist. Ask the rescue what is included before you apply, since a few include extras like a starter bag of food or a first-month insurance trial.
Are these Shih Poos for sale in Calgary?▼
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Shih Poo here comes from a Calgary rescue or shelter, not a breeder, pet store, or classified seller. Adoption fees are typically $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900 and already include vaccinations, deworming, microchip and spay or neuter when age-appropriate, versus roughly $2,000 to $5,000 or more to buy a Shih Poo from a breeder. If you searched "shih poo for sale calgary" or "shih poo puppies for sale," adopting gets you a healthy, vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Shih Poo in Calgary, and should I?▼
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable Shih Poo breeder typically charges $2,000 to $5,000 or more and often has a waitlist, while a rescue Shih Poo costs $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900 fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap shih poo-for-sale ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are frequently backyard breeders or puppy-mill resellers with unvetted, sometimes sick animals and no health guarantee. If you do buy, insist on seeing where the puppies were raised and getting vet records. For most families in Calgary, adopting a rescue Shih Poo is cheaper, faster, and gives a dog in need a home.
Are there free Shih Poos in Calgary, or shih poos under $500?▼
Adoption is the closest honest answer, and it is not free. A rescue Shih Poo in Calgary typically costs $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900, so the lower end lands under the "$500" people search for and the rest does not. What the fee buys is work already done, the vaccinations, deworming, microchip and spay or neuter, which would cost more than the fee itself if you arranged it yourself, and it is still far below breeder prices. Be wary of genuinely free shih poo listings. An animal advertised free to a good home has usually not been vetted, and free rehoming ads are the route flippers and unregistered breeders use to move animals with no health guarantee and no recourse. Paying a rescue fee buys you a dog someone has already examined, treated, and been honest with you about.
Are there Shih Poo puppies in Calgary, or only adults?▼
Both, but adults far outnumber puppies, and it is worth knowing that before you start looking. Most Shih Poos arriving in Calgary rescue are adolescents and adults, because that is the age at which first homes tend to give up. Puppies do come through, usually as accidental litters or with a surrendered mother, and they are typically spoken for quickly. Setting an alert beats refreshing the page. It is also worth asking whether you actually want one: an adult arrives with a temperament a foster has already observed and described, where a Shih Poo puppy is a prediction, and for this breed in particular knowing what you are getting is the more useful thing.
Where can I find a Shih Poo near me in Calgary?▼
Start with the listings on this page, which pull from Calgary rescues and shelters and are refreshed regularly, so what you see is what is genuinely available rather than a stale directory. If nothing suits today, that is normal for this breed: rescue intake is intermittent rather than steady, and a breed with none listed this week often has several next month. Setting an alert beats checking back, and it is worth widening to nearby towns, since most rescues serving Calgary will adopt out across a reasonable driving distance rather than only inside one municipality.

Need to rehome a Shih Poo?

If you can no longer keep your Shih Poo, you can list them for free on LocalPetFinder. Your dog stays in your home until you find the right family, you screen who applies, and there is no surrender fee. Not sure yet? Our guide to surrendering a dog in Canada walks through every option first.

List your dog for free →

Free tools for Shih Poo owners

📏Puppy Weight Calculator

How big will your Shih Poo get?

🎂Dog Age Calculator

Your Shih Poo's age in human years.

🍖Dog Feeding Calculator

How much to feed your Shih Poo.

🦮Dog Exercise Calculator

How much exercise your Shih Poo needs.

Need to rehome your Shih Poo?

If you are on the other side of this page and need to find your shih poo a new home, we have a breed-specific guide: the rescues worth contacting first, realistic timelines, and how to screen adopters. Listing on LocalPetFinder is free.

How to rehome a Shih Poo responsibly →

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Looking beyond Calgary?

Alberta rescues transport between cities and several operate province-wide, so it is worth checking Shih Poos elsewhere in the province before you give up on a match in Calgary.

Shih Poo in Red DeerShih Poo across Alberta