Bichon Shih Tzu Mix, also known as the Zuchon, is a mixed breed of dog created by crossing a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise. It is a small dog breed, standing 6 to 12 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing 5 to 15 pounds. The Zuchon has a lifespan of 15 to 18 years. Now, let’s learn something about Zuchon puppies.

Zuchon

Designer hybrid breed dogs include the Zuchon, Shichon, and Teddy Bear. Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise hybrids are known as Zuchons. As a result, the names of the two breeds from which they descended are incorporated into them. 

Their small size and teddy bear-like appearance make them popular. A cute and cuddly pet that easily fits on anyone’s lap is the Zuchon.

What’s Good About Zuchons

  • Intelligent

Zuchons are intelligent animals, but not in the conventional sense. They do love to perform tricks for their owners, so yes, you can train them.

However, they have a remarkable ability to read their surroundings and modify their behavior accordingly.

This breed is incredibly intuitive; they have an innate ability to understand human behavior, which makes them ideal therapy dogs, and equally excellent pets for people seeking companionship.

They can fit in with almost any household thanks to their adaptability, and they even make happy apartment dwellers.

  • Non-aggressive

Their placid nature makes them fabulous with kids. Plus, Zuchons lack any hunting instincts, which usually means they get on well with other animals. 

You must be extremely cautious when introducing them to larger breeds due to their small size, though.

  • Excellent Watchdogs

Despite their lack of aggression, they make fabulous watchdogs. If someone is at the front door, they’ll usually let you know. Zuchons aren’t known for barking excessively or without a reason, so you can relax.

So you won’t have to put up with their annoying yapping like you would with other smaller dog breeds.

Zuchon Puppies

What’s Bad About Zuchons

Even though they’re rare and infrequent, you should be aware of their flaws before deciding to purchase a Zuchon.)

  • Need To Be Careful

Despite the fact that this breed gets along well with kids, you should take the time to teach them how to behave around your Zuchon, especially if they’re very young.

Since this breed is easily confused for a teddy bear (hence its cute nickname), it isn’t robust enough to withstand rough treatment. Sadly, an accidental drop just a few inches off the floor can be catastrophic, especially for fragile pups.

  • Hate Being Alone

We’ve already mentioned how devoted Zuchons are to their owners. However, they need a lot of love and attention in return, which might not be practical if you don’t have the time.

Long-term separation from their owners is difficult for these dogs. Loneliness can make them depressed, and they can suffer from separation anxiety.

Consequently, the Zuchon might not be the best choice for you if you intend to leave your dog alone for the majority of the day.

Appearance

At maturity, Zuchons weigh on average between 5 and 15 lbs. and stand at the shoulder between 9 and 12 inches tall. A small toy breed, they have round heads, floppy ears, and big eyes.

When groomed, their relatively long, soft coat of curly, wavy, and silky fur gives them the appearance of a teddy bear. Their colorations range across a spectrum of hues: black, white, silver, red, chocolate, tan, or cream.

Even those who have dog allergies can say goodbye to this cuddly friend in their home because the Zuchon sheds very little, if at all. It also has the added benefit of sporting a hypoallergenic coat.

Because they are a hybrid breed, each individual animal’s appearance will be unique. Due to their Shih Tzu ancestry, their snouts are typically quite short, but they can vary in length.

You might fall in love with them at first sight due to their endearing form and friendly face.

Feed

Don’t forget to give your Zuchon premium dry food made just for small, active dogs. Additionally, the food you select should be appropriate for their current stage of development, whether it be a puppy, adult, or senior.

To prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and bad breath, stay away from eating mostly wet and canned foods in your diet.

If you want to treat your pet or encourage them to try a new brand of food, you can occasionally serve a home-cooked meal of meat and vegetables or a small amount of wet food over the kibble.

Being a small breed, Zuchons are prone to obesity. Follow the recommendations in the feeding guide and refrain from free feeding them. This will prevent your pet from gaining too much weight, which could cause a number of health problems.

Always seek advice from your veterinarian if you have questions about what to feed your dog. Although it’s always a good idea to follow the instructions on the dog food packaging, only your veterinarian truly understands the unique requirements of your dog.

Never alter your dog’s diet significantly without first consulting them. You have a veterinarian for a reason, after all!

Training

The Zuchon is quite trainable due to his easygoing personality and intelligence. Use constructive training methods and stick to your training schedule for the best results.

Avoid using physical or other harsh training methods because they are ineffective. That behavior is more akin to abuse than it is to any training method.

In fact, if you use those methods, you’ll frequently see the opposite of what you want to achieve. Rather, show your appreciation for a job well done by giving out lots of treats. This keeps your dog engaged during training.

Health And Nutrition

The typical lifespan of a Zuchon is between 12 and 15 years. They are typically regarded as content and healthy animals.

Zuchons benefit from their hybrid ancestry, which helps them avoid congenital problems that are common in purebred animals, which can have poor health due to a lack of genetic diversity.

First-generation hybrid Zuchons benefit from having a more varied gene pool, but because inbreeding is so common, it is known that later generations of Zuchons are more likely to suffer from disease and genetic defects.

Epilepsy, hearing loss, liver disease, and hip dysplasia are a few of the major defects that frequently manifest in designer dogs. It’s best to look for first-generation Zuchons who have pedigreed parents with a clean history to avoid these problems.

Because of their Shih Tzu heritage, Zuchons are particularly prone to breathing problems. Shih Tzus are renowned for having extremely short snouts and frequently turned-down nostrils.

Due to the ability of the nostrils to close during inhalation, this anatomical characteristic may cause difficulty breathing in.

Look for Zuchon puppies with slightly longer snouts when choosing one, and observe the nostrils as they breathe to determine if the puppy will have breathing problems in the future.