Zuchon
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Zuchon
Canis lupus
Verified by: IMPThe breed often changes colors throughout its life, with its puppy coat becoming lighter over the first few years of life, then darkening as he ages.
Zuchon Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Canidae
- Genus
- Canis
- Scientific Name
- Canis lupus
Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.
Zuchon Conservation Status
Zuchon Facts
- Name Of Young
- puppy
- Fun Fact
- The breed often changes colors throughout its life, with its puppy coat becoming lighter over the first few years of life, then darkening as he ages.
- Most Distinctive Feature
- teddy bear like appearance
- Other Name(s)
- teddy bear dog
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Zuchon as a Pet:
- General Health
- Energy Level
- Shedability
- Trainability
- Intelligence
- Tendency to Chew
- Size
- Family and kid friendliness
- Yappiness / Barking
- Moderate
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
- Separation Anxiety
- High
- Preferred Temperature
- Average climate
- Exercise Needs
- Moderate
- Friendly With Other Dogs
- High
- Pure bred cost to own
- $650-$1,000
- Dog group
- Sporting
- Male weight
- – lbs
- Female weight
- – lbs
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The breed often changes colors throughout his life, with his puppy coat becoming lighter over the first few years of life, then darkening as he ages.
A sweet, loving breed, the Zuchon is a mix between the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise. The goal was to breed an affectionate companion that has the best traits of each breed. The resulting pup, also known as the teddy bear dog due to his appearance, makes a wonderful pet and, with the right training, an amazing service animal.
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The breed’s hypoallergenic coat comes in a range of colors, including black, red, fawn, white, and cream. They can be one solid color of particolored, and their fur may be silky or curly.
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3 pros and cons of owning Zuchons
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Cheerful personality | Can be stubborn |
| Long lifespan | May be difficult to housetrain |
| Non-Shedding | Require daily grooming |
Size and Weight
A full-grown dog should be compact and sturdy. The male and female are similar in height and weight.
| Weight (Male:) | 15 pounds |
| Weight (Female): | 14 pounds |
| Height (Male): | 12 inches |
| Height (Male): | 11 inches |
Common Health Issues
There are a few health issues that the breed is prone to. Like the Shih Tzu, he may develop brachycephalic airway syndrome. Like the Bichon side of his family tree, he may be prone to atopic dermatitis. Other health concerns for the breed include:
- Cushing’s disease
- Patellar luxation
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Temperament
One trait breeders aim for in this breed is personality. These dogs are happy and exuberant, always thrilled to see you, and never meet a stranger. Help maintain this winning disposition by socializing your pup around strangers and pets. At home, your pup will get along well with everyone who lives there, although he may develop a favorite person, and coexists peacefully with other dogs and cats.
How To Take Care of a Zuchon
The Zuchon is a low-maintenance breed. He doesn’t require significant exercise and his grooming needs only take a few minutes each day. He is a pup well-suited for not only families but seniors and singles as well.
Health and Entertainment for your Zuchon
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The Best Dog Food for Zuchons
As a small breed, these dogs need to be watched carefully to avoid obesity. It is much easier to help him maintain a healthy weight than to lose weight. Even though he doesn’t need much food, breaking his meal into two servings each day gives him something to look forward to and helps discourage him from eating too quickly.
Cushing’s is an unfortunate condition in Zuchons, and it usually originates from a pituitary or adrenal gland tumor. So Zuchon owners should be especially careful about any unnatural additives in dog food.
To keep a Zuchon’s hormones, gut, and skin well-balanced, at A-Z Animals we believe Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult Small & Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe is a great option.
The natural ingredients in this food won’t disrupt your Zuchon’s microbiome. And the recipe specifically formulated for small dogs also has Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E for optimum skin and coat health.
Here’s where you can find Hill’s for Adult Small and Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach and Skin on amazon.
- This dry dog food uses prebiotic fiber to feed your small dog’s microbiome for optimal digestive health
- Vitamin E, omega 6 fatty acids and other nutrients in smaller kibble help nourish skin & promote a lustrous coat
- Dog food formulated with little dogs in mind to provide an optimal balance of nutrients specifically for miniature and toy breed dogs. Calorie content: 3734 kcal/kg (392 kcal/cup)
- Precise balance and highly digestible ingredients for sensitive stomachs and for dogs with sensitive skin
- Made with natural ingredients
Maintenance And Grooming
The Zuchon is a non-shedding breed, but that doesn’t mean their coat is maintenance-free. Regular grooming is necessary not only to keep his coat looking nice but to prevent mats that can become painful if left. Going over your pup with a comb each day only takes a few minutes and eliminates the need for marathon sessions later on.
Along with regular coat maintenance, use a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaning solution once a week and trim his nails at least once a month. Depending on how the hair on his face grows, he may benefit from having the area around his eyes trimmed to make it easier to see and keep him more comfortable. Finally, like other small breeds, dental issues can become a problem with age, so brushing his teeth a few times a week is a good preventative measure.
Training
The breed’s eagerness to please makes them easy to train. It is never too late to train your full-grown dog, but starting as soon as you bring your pup home helps him quickly integrate into the household. In addition to basic commands, training your pup not to jump on people or on furniture if you don’t plan to allow that as an adult, is much quicker when they are young.
Crate training makes housebreaking much easier, and most pups take quickly to their crate. Having an area where you can put your pup and know that he is safe gives you peace of mind when he is young and you cannot keep your eye on him constantly.
Exercise
While active and playful, this breed doesn’t need much exercise to stay healthy and happy. In fact, a few indoor play sessions each day provide the enrichment he needs. It is, however, a good idea to get him outside for even a short walk a few times each day to stretch his legs and get some fresh air. Keep in mind his size when walking him, he may have trouble keeping up if your outing is too long.
Puppies
The average litter size is made up of four to five puppies. Breeders can cross a Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise or two Zuchons to produce the breed.
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Zuchon And Children
The breed’s buoyant personality and love of people make it a good match for families with children, however, it is important that the children and puppies, and even full-grown dogs are closely supervised. The breed is small and cannot tolerate rough handling. Their love of people may prevent them from retreating when overwhelmed, so it is up to the adults to manage and supervise play.
Dogs similar to Zuchon
If you decide this teddy bear dog is not for you, there are other choices with similar temperaments and personalities. The obvious choice is one of the two breeds that breeders use to make up the Zuchon, the Shih Tzu or the Bichon Frise. There are other choices, however.
- Lhasa Apso– Friendly, affectionate, and long-lived. The breed does have a tendency to bark, making it an excellent watchdog.
- Maltese– Happy and generally healthy, the breed is also hypoallergenic.
- Pomeranian– Smart and low exercise needs. Not the best choice for families with children.
Popular Names for Zuchon
Popular names for Zuchons are the following:
- Charlie
- Teddy
- Buster
- Zoey
- Coco
- Bella
Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Zuchon FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How much does a Zuchon cost to own?
The average price of a Zuchon puppy is between $650 and $1000, although you can find them priced as high as $2000. Aside from the initial purchase price, you will need to budget for annual veterinary checkups as well as one-time purchases such as a crate. As a small breed, the cost of feeding the Zuchon is very reasonable.
Is the Zuchon good with kids?
The breed’s happy-go-lucky personality makes him a willing companion for kids, however, as a small breed, it is important to supervise children while playing. Depending on the age of the child, an adult should constantly supervise, or, for older children, spend time explaining how to play with the pup and why it is important to avoid being too rough.
Also, the breed, while energetic, is small. He will use up energy playing and may need to be encouraged to take a break when playing with family.
How long do Zuchons live?
The average lifespan of the Zuchon is between 15 and 18 years. The long lifespan of the breed making it particularly important to practice preventative dental and medical care so that he stays healthy for as long as possible.
What is a Zuchon?
A Zuchon is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise. The name indicates that the breed is a direct cross between the two breeds, but that isn’t always the case. While a Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise cross is called a Zuchon, two Zuchons can be bred together. The resulting pups are also known as Zuchons. Generally, the puppies from the Zuchon couplings are more consistent in appearance than when breeding Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise crosses.
Are Zuchons good dogs?
The teddy bear dog, as he is often called, is a wonderful companion. While he isn’t the best fit for an active family, he is always ready to play. He is also content to curl up beside you on the couch.
One area where the Zuchon can be difficult is in housetraining. Like the Bichon Frise, the breed can be a challenge to housetrain. Crate training and adhering to a strict schedule for meals and exercise can make the process more pleasant. It is important to exercise patience when housetraining the breed. Set him up for success with frequent potty breaks and watching him closely when he is out of his crate.
How much does a Zuchon cost?
The average price of a puppy is between $650 and $1000.
Are Zuchons smart?
The breed is intelligent, although not as smart as some other breeds. This doesn’t make him less of a companion, however, and people often find that smarter pups spend time trying to outthink their owners. The Zuchon has a winning combination of being both smart and eager to please, which makes him easy to train. He can be stubborn, which should not be mistaken for a lack of intelligence. Keeping training sessions short and fun is the best way to train the Zuchon.
Can the Zuchon be left alone?
Although they enjoy company, they can be left alone as well. Unlike some other small breeds, the Zuchon is not prone to separation anxiety. However, any dog left alone will get anxious. Leaving a radio or television on at low volume helps muffle outside noises that may make your pup anxious and also provides soothing white noise.
What clubs recognize Zuchon pups?
The Zuchon is recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and the American Canine Hybrid Club. It is not a recognized American Kennel Club breed.
What color parents do black Zuchons come from?
While white is the most common color of Zuchons, black is the rarest. The Shih Szu can be black, however, it isn’t common. The Bichon Frise can be white or white with cream, apricot, or buff. A solid black Zuchon takes selective breeding, typically over generations. Breeding two black or particolored with black Zuchons gives the highest likelihood of solid black offspring.
Sources
- US Service Animals, Available here: https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/zuchon-breed-overview/
