Before we start, this breed may be hard to pronounce. The Zuchon (pronounced zoo-shawn), is sometimes also called Shichon or Teddy Bear, is a hybrid breed designer dog. If you hear about this breed for the first time, Zuchons are a cross between Bichon Frise and Shih Tzubreeds. However, their name is derived from the two breeds from which they own their lineage. Also, they are not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or other major dog breed registries.
Below we’ll describe them more. Ready? Let’s go!
Zuchon Appearance
Regarding their size and weight, fully grown Zuchons stand at the shoulder roughly 9-12 inches tall and average about 5-15 lbs. You can probably notice that they are a diminutive toy breed that sport round heads, floppy ears, and large eyes. Also, they have a fairly long, soft coat of curly, wavy, and silky fur which gives them the appearance of a teddy bear when groomed. Don’t be surprised about the color of their coat. Their colorations vary through a range of colors such as black, white, silver, red, chocolate, tan, or cream.
Zuchon History
As with many designer dogs, the history of Zuchons is rather short. The earliest data shows that Americans started breeding designer dogs in the early ‘90s. However, the Zuchon is a more recent cross breed that started to become popular in the past decade or so. Despite the fact that Zuchons are a relatively new breed, their popularity has grown quickly. In fact, their popularity is such that there is a decent chance they may become an officially recognized breed by the AKC in the near future.
Personality and Temperament
Like every owner, you want to possibly guess your pup’s personality and temperament. Some toy dogs are known to be yappy and temperamental. Luckily, this is not the case at all with the Zuchons. If you didn’t know yet, Zuchons are a hybrid of two purebred animals which have a history of being bred for demeanor and the ability to adapt well to different homes and other animals. If we take the fact that Zuchons are derived from Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise breeds, they are dogs who have no history of hunting instincts. So, these are great news and as such, they tend to get along well with other animals and breeds.
Based on their owner’s feedback, they are playful, lively, and well-behaved. Also, Zuchons are known to adapt to the personality and tendencies of their owners. So, this means they are equally happy sitting on a couch all day as they are going for walks and playing fetch or chase.
Health
Based on the available statistics, Zuchons have an average life expectancy of 12-15 years. In general, they are considered to be happy and healthy animals. Also, the huge plus is that Zuchons benefit from their hybrid lineage which helps them avoid congenital issues that are common among purebred animals which can have poor health due to lack of genetic diversity.
Zuchon Grooming
You should know that Zuchons tend to shed very little if at all. And their fur is also very low in allergens. Also, they tend to be indoor dogs and generally don’t get terribly messy; but, however, their hair does require upkeep. Keep in mind that they should be bathed around once a month to keep them clean while avoiding drying out their skin. If you want to prevent tangles and matting, you should brush your Zuchons regularly, possibly even on a daily basis. In the end, these dogs are very adorable and friendly to their environment and you don’t have to worry much about their care, health, and maintenance. So, what are you waiting for? Go get one!