Zuchon

also known as BichonTzu, Tzu Frise, Shih-Chon, Shihchon, Shichon, Teddy Bear, Rag Doll, Shichon-Teddy Bear

Breed Information


Type

Is Zuchon a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were Zuchons originally used for?

Companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Zuchons Live? What is average life expectancy for a Zuchon? How long can Zuchons live?

11-15 years

The average Zuchon lifespan is somewhere between 11-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Zuchon Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Zuchon?

What is the average height of a Zuchon? How big is a Cross Breed Zuchon height? Zuchon dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 7-12 inches (17.8 - 30.5 cm) 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) 9.5 inches (24.1 cm)
Female 6-11 inches (15.2 - 27.9 cm) 5.5 inches (14 cm) 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) 8.5 inches (21.6 cm)
What is the average weight of a Zuchon? How much should Zuchons weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 6-15 pounds (3 - 7 kg) 7.0 pounds (3 kg) 10.5 pounds (5 kg) 10.5 pounds (5 kg)
Female 5-14 pounds (2 - 6 kg) 6.0 pounds (3 kg) 9.5 pounds (4 kg) 9.5 pounds (4 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Zuchons Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Zuchons are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Zuchon personality? What are Zuchon dogs best known for?

Active
Playful
Happy
Sensitive
Courageous
Intelligent
Friendly
Outgoing
Affectionate
Lively
Gentle
Cheerful

Shedding Level

Are Zuchons heavy shedders? How Much Does a Zuchon Shed?

Zuchon dogs are low shedders. The coat sheds an average amount and doesn't require much care.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Zuchon dog?

Zuchons are not the best watchdogs. If you want a guard dog, the Zuchon is not the breed for you. They will 'watch' everything - but that's usually as far as they go.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Zuchons come from?

United States

Ancestry

What are Zuchons descended from?

Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Zuchon breed?

ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
DBR = Designer Breed Registry

Date of Birth

When were Zuchons first bred? How old is the Zuchon breed?

1990s

Zuchon Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Zuchon eyes?

Hazel
Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Zuchon nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Zuchon coat be naturally?

Black
Cream
Red
Pied
White
Fawn
Gray

Coat Length

How long is a Zuchons coat?

The coat of a Zuchon is longer than that of the typical dog.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Zuchon Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Zuchon?

Curly

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Zuchon have in a litter? How many puppies can a Zuchon have in her first litter?

2-5 puppies per pregnancy

A Zuchon can have a litter of 2-5 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Zuchons are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Zuchon Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Zuchons have a lot of health problems?

The Zuchon is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Zuchon?

Patellar Luxation
Deafness
Canine Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Zuchons?

Allergies
Liver Disease
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Occasional Diagnoses

Reverse Sneezing
Portosystemic Shunts
Juvenile Cataracts
Bladder Stones

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Zuchon breed?

Eye Examination
Blood Count
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Hearing and Ear Tests
Urine Sample
Physical and Neurologic Exam

Zuchon Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Zuchons have a lot of energy?

Zuchons are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Zuchons need socialization? How social are Zuchons?

Zuchon have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Zuchons get?

The Zuchon dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Zuchon have? Do Zuchons sleep a lot?

The Zuchon breed is known for their relaxed and calm nature and tendency to sleep for long periods of time.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Zuchons tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Mouthiness

Are Zuchons mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Zuchon running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Zuchon dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Zuchons enjoy doing? How do I keep my Zuchon busy?

Swimming, Sleeping, Running, Play, Road trips, Walking, Cuddles, Tug-of-war, Run, Nap, Fetch, Brushing, Catch treats, Chase, Bath time, Eating Snacks, Toys, Walk, Catch, Cuddle, Playing fetch

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Zuchon? How much energy does a Zuchon have?

Low

Zuchons are low-energy dogs. This breed make a great companion for a relatively inactive person. Zuchon dogs require a few short daily walks, and then they're happy snuggling next to you for the rest of the day.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Zuchon walk each week? How many miles should a Zuchon walk every week?

6 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Zuchon, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Zuchon should exercise a day? How much activity does a Zuchon need?

30 minutes

In general most Zuchons usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Zuchon?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Zuchon?

Daily

Ideally, Zuchon should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Zuchons?

Pin Brush
Dematter
Scissors
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Zuchon eat?

1.5 cups

For an average 6-15 pound (3 - 7 kg) Zuchon feed 1.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Zuchon Cost Daily?

$1.30 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of a Zuchon is somewhere $1.30 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Zuchon Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of a Zuchon is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Zuchon Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Zuchon?

Zuchons has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Zuchon is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Zuchon dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Zuchon dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Zuchon do well in apartments? Are Zuchons good indoor dogs?

Zuchons are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Zuchons good with kids? Are Zuchons good around children?

Zuchons are average friendly dogs towards children.

Senior-friendly

Are Zuchons good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Zuchons good with cats? How friendly Zuchons are toward cats?

Zuchons are very cat friendly dogs. They generally make good companions for cats.

Dog Friendly

Do Zuchon dogs get along with other dogs? Are Zuchons OK with other dogs?

Zuchons are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Zuchon dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Zuchons friendly with strangers?

Zuchons are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Zuchons like to play? Are Zuchons playful?

Zuchons have an average level of playfulness. The Zuchons, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Zuchon easily trained?

Zuchon dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.