Zuchon Dog Breed Profile

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If you love small companion dogs, then Zuchon will be right up your alley. These adorable little hybrids are a mix between the Shih Tzu and the adorable Bichon Frise. These breeds are known for their companionship, so it is no wonder that a Zuchon makes such a fantastic family dog.

The best thing about small dogs is their adaptability. They don’t require a lot of space and can adapt to farm living just as well as in urban living. This Bichon Shih Tzu mix will melt your heart and make you want to cuddle them all day, every day. If you are looking for a hybrid companion, here is why you should seriously consider the amazingly fluffy Zuchon.

How did they come to life?

Designer breeds and crossbreeds started gaining popularity in the 70s and 80s when the first Labradoodles burst onto the scene. They were created for a specific purpose - a guide dog that wouldn’t shed because the owner had dog hair allergies. People were amazed at the success of the crossbreed between the Labrador and Poodle made, and pretty soon, owners were getting curious about other crossbreeds.

Most designer dog breeds were first crossed in the early 1990s, and Zuchon is one of them. These small companions were created alongside Cavapoos, Cavachons, Schnoodles, and other hybrids. The idea was to create a hypoallergenic, low shedding companion that will always be by its owner. At the beginning of the breed, these dogs were called by different names; some of these names were Shichon and Teddy Bear Zuchon. In the end, only Zuchon stood the test of time.

What do Zuchons look like?

As you can imagine, Zuchons are small, adorable, fluffy dogs that have characteristics of both parent breeds. The problem with hybrid dog breeds is that there is no official standard. The exact image of every individual puppy can be different. That is the case with Zuchons as well.

Most of these small dogs are between 10 and 12 inches tall and weigh between 9 and 13 pounds. There is no big surprise there since both parent breeds are pretty small. If you are looking for specific coat color in this crossbreed, you will have to wait until the puppies are born. It is impossible to know which color will the Zuchon puppy be. The majority of them come in cream, silver, tan, grey, white, or black.

What’s it like to own a Zuchon?

One of the best things you can do before you get any dog, hybrid or pureblooded, is to ask the owner community about their experience with the breed. That is even more important if the dog in question is a hybrid. You should ask different owners about specifics and needs their dogs have. That is precisely what we did, and you can find the summed-up info below.

Zuchons make excellent companions. Like their Shih Tzu parents, they hate being left alone, and wherever you go, your Zuchon will follow you. These dogs are somewhat active, which means they have plenty of energy to play while being out. Still, at home, they are usually peaceful as long as they are near their owners.

Zuchons are intelligent. Both parent breeds share this characteristic, so if you invest time in training, you will see how eager these dogs are to please their owners. They can be quick learners, especially if you involve treats in their training.

If you are interested in other hypoallergenic dog breeds, check out this article - 11 Best Hypoallergenic Dogs.

They are usually great with kids; the only thing is that owners need to teach their children how to handle such a small breed. Zuchons are small and fragile. They cannot handle rough treatment, and even overly enthusiastic playing can cause them harm. Take special care of them while they are puppies because most accidents happen when they are in their most fragile state.

Benefits of owning a Zuchon

Owning any dog has plenty of benefits. Even walking your dog every day can do wonders for your health. If you are wondering what those benefits are, check out this article - Health benefits of dog walking. Not to mention the friendship, support, love, and other most beautiful things dogs offer us.

When it comes to owning a Zuchon, some benefits make them very interesting for future dog owners. They barely shed, which means they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Their intelligence makes them reasonably easy to train. They are extremely friendly, and there isn’t a tiny bit of aggression in them. Zuchons are also relatively good watchdogs, so if you are looking for a dog that will notify you about anyone approaching your home, these are the dogs for you.

One of the most popular crossbreeds in the world is the Cavapoo. You can read more about them in this article - Cavapoo - Fun Facts You Didn't Know.

Are there any bad sides to owning a Zuchon?

Like with any dog breeds, there are some drawbacks, which might not even be drawbacks if you are alright with them. One of the defining character traits of Zuchons is their hatred towards being alone. Just like the Shih Tzu, these dogs will want to constantly be in your company. Again, that shouldn’t be a problem if you prefer it that way.

The second thing is their relationship with kids. Zuchons are friendly and great with kids, but younger children can’t understand how fragile these dogs are. You must educate your kids to understand how gentle and calm they have to be around the dog.

These dogs are also prone to some health issues, and you should keep a close eye on any signs of:

• Patellar luxation
• Allergies
• Brachycephalic syndrome
• Eye problems
• Cushing’s disease

Getting a Zuchon

Buying any dog breed should be a slow and careful process. There are plenty of “bad” breeders that want to take advantage of uninformed buyers. You should be cautious even when you are buying pureblooded dogs, but at least they have well-known breeding clubs that can point you in the right direction.

When it comes to buying a designer dog breed, the best place to start would be the owner’s community. Ask for advice and pointers on dogs and breeders. Make sure you ask the breeder for both parents’ health tests, and if they can’t provide them, that usually means you shouldn’t buy. It is also good to know that a Zuchon puppy’s average price is from $1.000 to $1.500. Some puppies whose parents have excellent pedigrees can go for as much as $4.000.

World Dog Finder team