Bichon Shih Tzu Mix
What is a Zuchon? Zuchons are small hybrid dogs bred from mixing purebred Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu. Also known as the Sichon or the Teddy Bear Dog, these cuddly, fluffy and amazingly cute pups make great family companions. Zuchons are very clever, playful and love loads of attention. Bichon Shih Tzu mix dogs can adapt to their family's energy levels and make wonderful walking companions for people who enjoy spending time with their pets outdoors.
 Besides being intelligent, Zuchon dogs are friendly, curious and sociable. Zuchons can live in the countryside or in a city apartment. Zuchon dogs don't bark much, making these small teddy bear dogs great neighbors in apartment complexes.
Bichon Shih Tzu Mix dogs do well with people of all ages including children and seniors. Are Zuchons hypoallergenic? One of the positives about Zuchons is that they are hypoallergenic and produce lower amounts of pet allergens than many other dog breeds. Both of the parents of Zuhon, Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise are known for their hypoallergenic and low shedding coat qualities which get inherited by their offspring, including Zuchons.
Zuchon dogs are small in size and owners of this mix need to be careful when letting Zuchons play with larger unfamiliar dogs. Due to their small size Zuchons can easily get hurt by larger dogs and it is important to keep an eye on your pet at all times when Zuchon is interacting with other dogs.
Zuchon full grown size
How big do Zuchon dogs get? The size of hybrid dogs varies depending on the size of the parents used by breeders to cross them. This is because the breeders may choose parents that are smaller to create teacup-sized Zuchons. Generally, a full-grown Zuchon will have a height of between 9 to 12 inches and will weigh between 8 to 15 pounds.
Zuchon life span
The life expectancy of a Zuchon range between 15 to 18 years. To have a happy pup through these years, the owner needs to take good care of the Zuchon.
ShihTzu life expectancy
Zuchon History
Originating from the United States, Zuchons are still very new hybrid dogs that do not have many histories attached to them. However, much is known about their parents the Bichon Frise and the Shih Tzu.
The Bichon Frise originated from the Canary Islands in the 13th century. They were popular with the European Royalties until the French Revolution happened in 1789. They were later found on the streets by street performers who found their trainability amazing. The breeds qualities were later recognized and accepted by the American Kennel Club in the year 1971. The Bichon Frise has gained popularity among breeders due to the low shedding factor and devotion to its owners.
The Shih Tzu has its origin in China where it was bred for the Chinese emperors. Later in the 1930s the breed was further refined by breeders in England and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1969. The small companion dog loves attention and really dislikes being left alone, especially for long periods of time.
Zuchon Pedigree
The Bichon Shih Tzu mix is a first-generation hybrid breed. This is because it has been bred from purebred Bichon Frise and pure-bred ShihTzu. Even so, one cannot tell what type of Zuchon will be created since others will lean towards one parental trait while others will have a mix of both. This is regardless of whether they come from the same litter or not.
To create a more uniform breed, breeders have resulted in multigenerational crossing. This involves crossing one Sichon to other unrelated Sichons. The practice will need to continue for a long time to achieve a standardized Zuchon. In the meantime, you can be sure of your adorable Zuchon, regardless of which genetic mix was used.
Zuchon pros and cons
Zuchon dogs inherit various traits from both, Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise parents. While there are many positive traits such as the dog's happy and friendly personality and excellent skills as a companion pet, there are also some less desirable traits that may be inherited from either parent and may include difficulties during obedience training. Many Zuchons tend to be obstinate which is a character trait that comes from Shih Tzu and Bichon parents. Shih Tzu dogs, for example are not among the easiest to train while Bichon Frise dogs are famous for housetraining difficulties associated with this breed. Many Zuchons require extra time investment on the part of their owners in order to learn good potty training habits.
Zuchon dogs may also be more demanding when it comes to grooming, which is another con associated with Bichon Shih Tzu mix dogs. People who want a dog that is easy to maintain may find that Zuchons can be overwhelming when it comes to care and grooming. Those who enjoy spending time with their pet brushing their coat and giving the dog fun haircuts can really enjoy Zuchon as a pet that requires care and lots of attention. Seniors and retirees may really enjoy a Zuchon because of the dog's cheerful personality and the dog requires plenty of attention which many older people are happy to give to their beloved companion dog.
Zuchon temperament
Zuchons are lovable, happy and outgoing pups. These calm yet playful pooches are suitable for all kinds of households ranging from the young to the old and even the disabled. Zuchon dogs are not aggressive and are usually very well-mannered around other pets. However, Zuchon owners should take precaution since ShihTzu Bichon Mix dogs may easily be hurt by larger dogs, and children should also be supervised while carrying them to avoid dropping which can be catastrophic.
Zuchons love cuddling on the couch, learning new tricks, lounging in the sunshine and playing with toys especially chase and fetch. Zuchons will also amaze you with how well they can learn your facial expressions through eye contact. Nevertheless, Zuchons don't make great watchdogs or guard dogs as they will rarely bark and are quite friendly even with strangers.
Zuchons are active pups and will not hesitate to participate in games such as catch or tug of war. Although they are ideal for all sorts of households, Zuchons require at least a 30 minutes of walking outside daily to stay healthy.
Zuchon dogs adjust to their family's exercise levels. Shih Tzu and Bichon mix dogs enjoy a walk to the dog park where they can interact with other small dogs. That said, these pups will not be ideal for individuals who like bike riding, with the hope of getting company. Small Zuchons are not suitable for extreme exercises such as running alongside a bike.
Zuchon potty training
Sichons may require extra time investment on the owner's part during potty training period. Some Zuchons tend to have a stubborn streak in their character, patience and persistence will see to it that your puppy is potty trained.
Identify the potty area. Once your Zuchon arrives home, be sure to have already identified a spot outside. That could be a spot at the corner of your yard, which the dog will use as a toilet.
Look out for potty readiness signs. Zuchons are small breed dogs and often have small bladders. This means they will need to go empty their bladders more regularly. The signs will include sniffing around, giving you that look, moving in circles or simply barking.
Maintain a schedule. Feed your Zuchon at specific times every day, this will help in toilet timing. Other times that the dog will need to go the toilet includes: in the morning, after sleeping, after eating, after exercising and before bedtime.
Use rewards and avoid punishing your pet for accidents that will happen during potty training time. Once your Zuchon does the elimination business properly, reward him with a treat. Such includes taking Bichon Shih Tzu cross dog on a short walk or offering a healthy snack. Other positive encouragements include words such as "Good dog!"
Once you get to the potty area, encourage the Zuchon to go toilet by using cord words such as "Go Pee!" With time the dog will learn to associate the words with the toilet business. In case you are planning to train your Zuchon dog to use an indoor potty, which can be very convenient for people who live in apartments, check out different indoor dog potties and get one before you bring home a Zuchon dog so that you are all set for potty training to begin as soon as your puppy arrives home.
Avoid harsh treatment: If in any case, you catch your dog in the act of pooing on your great carpet, avoid yelling or pulling his nose. This will discourage the dog from learning and will create a rift between you two. Instead of interrupting him softly, and take him outside to the toilet area to finish.
Clean up messes: Do not leave the doggy mess uncleaned for long, since the dog may be encouraged to use the spot as toilet next time. Instead, clean up the mess with enzyme-based cleaner to get rid of the smell.
How to groom a Zuchon
Zuchons can be easily mistaken for teddy bears due to their fluffy coats, which are long and soft with a curly or silky texture. Bichon Shih Tzu mix dogs come in various colors including black, white red, chocolate brown or apricot.
Do Zuchon dogs shed? Zuchon pups are low-shedding dogs and their fluffy coat should be brushed frequently. Zuchons need to be brushed 4 to 5 times per week to keep the coat free from tangles and mats. Clipping or scissoring the hairstyle will need to be done every 2 to 3 months. Zuchon's coat will tangle and knot easily if left unattended. While combining the slicker brush and the medium toothed comb, brush the coat starting from the head using a line brushing method and untangle all stubborn mats. Detangling spray may help with removing tangles that happened to form on the dog's coat.
Zuchon dogs will need regular trimming every couple of months. Shih Tzu Bichon Frise mix owners who choose to do the grooming at home will need scissors and clippers. The styling and haircuts come in three types that include the following:
One of the popular Zuchon cuts is the teddy bear cut: Given that they are already stuffed animals, the cut will be fairly short about 2 to 3 inches. The hair around Zuchon's head, legs and the tail will be left a bit longer while its carefully sculpted and rounded. The final appearance will resemble a total teddy bear.
The easiest to maintain haircut on a Zuchon dog is the puppy cut: In this case, the hair will be shaved 1.5 to 2 inches all over. Some groomers will leave the face, head, legs and tail to be a bit longer. This style is most preferred by those who don't like taking much of the time grooming the pooch.
One of the more complicated Zuchon dog haircuts is the show cut: This cut involves trimming the hair just a little using thinning shears. Most hair is left out and often evened out. This reduces the mats and tangles frequency. While this can be done by the owner, the professional groomers do it best and will also call for frequent brushing.
Besides giving Zuchon a haircut every couple of months, Zuchon's eyes also require regular care. Due to their teddy bear-like appearance, Zuchon dog's eyes will need to often be wiped with a damp clean cloth to remove the tear stains.
Brush the Zuchons teeth regularly. This is because of the overcrowded teeth that may cause tartar deposits. A canine tooth brush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs should be used. Dental care is very important for the overall health of Zuchon dog.
Zuchons will also need toe nails clipped occasionally. Overgrown nails may cause discomfort and even change your dog's gait in extreme cases.
Zuchon health problems
Given that Zuchons are hybrid dogs they are more or less likely to suffer the same health conditions that their parents suffer. Although they are generally healthy, a potential owner will need to inquire about the health status of the parental breeds. Here are some of the conditions that Zuchons are prone to.
Atopic dermatitis: This condition is allergic and often causes the dogs' skin to itch or get inflamed. The most affected areas include feet, ears and perineum.
Cushing's disease: This is a condition that causes excess cortisol levels which occurs, as a result, adrenal glands overstimulation. Its symptoms include thinning of the skin, weight gain and hair loss.
Patellar luxation: This is a condition that affects the knee cap which is not well developed.in other cases, this condition causes lameness and its usually very painful. To treat it, surgery can always be carried out.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: This is an abnormal condition, which affects small breeds and especially those with small noses such as the Zuchon. This condition make it difficult for the dog with a shorter snout to breathe.
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia: This condition causes a decrease in oxygen circulation within the blood and in some cases severe anemia. The condition leads to weakness and breathlessness and collapse. The treatment includes immunosuppression which may be carried out throughout the dog's life.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: This is a condition that affects the dogs' eyes, such that they cannot produce tears. The condition is irritating and, in some cases, it leaves permanent damage. Pups suffering from skin allergies are more prone to this condition and in most cases, this condition has no major identifiable cause.
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