Shichons are blue , happy - go - golden , playful dogs that love spending quite a little of clock time with their humans . Here ’s what pass water this downy hybrid such a wonderful dearie .
The shichon is a hybrid dog that reflects the character of both parent breed . Gentle and sweet-scented , thebichon frisehas a glad - go - lucky personality with playful antics . Meanwhile , theshih tzuis a fast and well-disposed lapdog . Combine these two breeds , and you ’ve get a seraphic - as - can - be shichon , a downlike snuggle champion .
Emerging in popularity , these little hybrid dogs can be a perfect fit for many households as doting companions for seniors or eager - to - play pets forfamilies with children . Shichonsdon’t shed much , either , so they may be an ideal ducky for allergy sufferers . Because of their gentle nature , they could be great forfirst - time favourite owners , too . However , shichons command a safe peck of grooming to keep their curly coat from entangle , and they are a breed that like to spend oodles of time with their world .
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" The shichon is a cross between the loyal shih tzu and the confident bichon frise , " says Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consulting veterinarian atFiveBarks . " They typify what is the undecomposed of both stock and have a unequaled , teddy - bear - alike appearance . "
We spoke with a veterinarian for everything you need to know about the shichon ’s temperament , keep needs , care , and wellness concerns .
Appearance
These small dogsweigh between 9–15 pound , which is a bit diminished than the breed criterion for the bichon frise but openhanded than most shih tzus . Full - grown , a shichon is just 9–12 inches in height . These pup often have a intermediate - length fag end on one end and brown or black button eye on the other .
As amixed stock dog , shichon puppy — even those from the same litter — can look totally different . One pup may strut their material with the cocky gait of a shih tzu . Other shichons could be peppy piddling pulverization puffs with plumed tails like the bichon frise . Or shichons could inherit both parent ' signature traits . Regardless , a double dose of prettiness is definitely in these domestic dog ' DNA .
Some may inherit a curlysnow snowy coatfrom the bichon frise side of the family , while others could assume silky coats credited to the shih tzu parent . Others may have a mixing of both . This hybrid breed ’s pelage can come in a number of colors , include brown , cherry-red , Au , cream , black , white , silver , and more . Some shichons may have solid coats while others may tire a mix of colors , like a black and white shichon or a cream - color dog with red and hoary accents on her ear and near her eye . The cute combinations are endless !
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Whileno dog is entirely hypoallergenic , shichons do n’t shed much and their teddy - bear pelt could be idealistic for people who tend to sniffle around weenie .
Temperament
Shichons are also diplomatic small dogs , capable to get along well with most other pets , include catsand fellow dogs , as long as they have beensocialized with them from a young age , Simon says .
" Owners particularly like how multitude - driven the sociable shichon is , " Simon says . " As both parent breed are companion dogs , they are well adapted to living close with their house and will form penny-pinching bond with them . "
As playful , hoi polloi - loving pup , shichons fit utterly into kin life andadore the energy children bringto each day , says Corinne Wigfall , DVM , BVS , BVM , and consulting veterinary withSpiritDog Training . Of course , always oversee kiddos when they ’re playing with any dog andteach your small fry how to properly playwith small animals , honour their edge and being mindful of their size .
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Also , both of the shichons ' parent are brainiacs , sothis mixed strain is an sound one . match that with their eagerness to please their people , and you ’ve catch a domestic dog that will be a standout studentwhen it comes to training .
Living Needs
Both of the shichon ’s parents are companion dogs , so expect this small guy to want to spend a lot of time with you . Whether it ’s playing games , preparation , exercising , or stagnate on the couch , the shichon ’s dear language is most decidedly " quality time"—and they just ca n’t get enough of it with their humans .
Because of their close-fitting bonds with their people , shichons do best with a mob that ’s home quite a bit . ( They ’ll keep your circuit quick and your John Barleycorn gamy during those oeuvre - from - family Zoom calls . ) While shichons can be afamily wienerwurst , they can also be an ideal pet for elder adult because of their relatively humble exercise needs , Wigfall says .
The shichon cando well in an apartmentthanks to their small size and comparatively blue exercise need , Simon say . Though , he ’ll also enjoy sport aroundin a fenced backyard . And while he ’s naturally curious and playful , a shichon can alsohappily lay down and relaxwhen you ’re having some downtime , Simon suppose .
While this strain enjoy play alfresco ( how about agame of fetch ? ) in unforesightful bursts orgoing for walk , shichons are n’t an all - weather condition sporty stock . The shih tzu side of the family is known for have a flat face and thick coat , which can make himsusceptible to heat stroke .
Care
Shichon owners , be prepared : Your whelp has quite the peach routine , and you must stick to it to keep his coat in tip - top shape .
Owners need to sweep their shichon ’s pelage daily , paying special attending to her ear and undercarriage to prevent her coating from becoming matted , Simon says . The shichon also needs regular groom assignment with a professional . He may see great in atraditional shih tzu haircut , like the classic brusque pup cut or a medium - distance shichon teddy bear cut .
Because of the shichon ’s narrow tear channel , bust stainingcan be a vulgar issue , Simon says , and his centre demand to be regularly houseclean . lightly pass over around your hound ’s eyes with a moist material . Also , their small jaw can make them more prone todental disease , sodaily tooth brushingis a must .
Along with making sure your shichon looks his best , you need to keep him feeling his best withdaily exerciseand looseness . While shichon dogs will never come top position in a wash or agility course , theydoenjoy having a good tally in a park or backyard to cauterise off some vim .
" They have a piquantness for life and will readily accept any chance to go out , sniff , and explore , " Simon tell .
But shichons can burn a lot of their calories from play inside , too , Simon says . For most , a 30–45 minute pass every day is plenty , she says .
As far as training goes , shichons are firm learners who will eagerly look onwards totraining academic term — because it ’s an opportunity to expend some one - on - one meter with you ! Bringlots of treats , make it fun , be generous with the head rap and praise , and keep the preparation sessions shortsighted and productive . As with all stock , exercise patience and usepositive reinforcement during training .
Health
Like most small breed dogs , the shichonhas a recollective lifespan . These companions can hold up for 12–16 years andtend to be healthy . But , like all dogs , shichons can be prone to some health trouble , inherited from either side of their kin .
Both shih tzus and bichon frises can be susceptible tohip dysplasia , a condition where the roast does n’t develop as it should and becomes loose . Left untreated , it can cause pain in the ass , mobility issue , andosteoarthritis .
On the shih tzu side , some other treatable , albeit unwashed , issues includepatellar luxation(a slipped kneecap ) andumbilical hernias . They can also have some eye health problems such ascataracts . Bichon frises are in general tidy wiener but may be prostrate tohypothyroidismandvon Willebrand ’s disease , a bleeding disorder .
However , theInstitute of Canine Biologysays interracial - breed pawl are typically less likely than their purebred parents to inherit genetic disorders .
But those who are looking to get a hybrid pup in their house need to do some significant research . The shichon is a relatively newfangled " clothes designer " intercrossed stock — and these precious Canis familiaris are in high requirement , which can imply some shichon stock breeder are operating without the Canis familiaris ' wellness in mind . To make trusted you ’re work with an ethical shichon stock breeder and that you ’re bring home a healthy dog , be aware of these commonpuppy mill crimson flag :
History
While the shichon is a relatively fresh strain whose beginning are n’t quite known or detail by historian , both of his parents are among some of themost popular dog breeds in the United States , each with their own long histories that are rich with royal ties ( and a little routine of folklore , too ) .
Shih tzus originated roughly 1,000 twelvemonth ago , according to theShih Tzu Club , and it ’s believe they were first bred in Tibet , possibly by Tibetan monks . These small andiron were condition symbolic representation , sent to Chinese emperors as gifts . In the forties and fifties , American soldier who were post in Europe brought these " little lion dogs " to the United States , according to theAmerican Kennel Club .
The shichon ’s other parent , the bichon frise , are merry heel from the Mediterranean that historians say have been around since the thirteenth century , according to theBichon Frise Club of America . These fluffy , white dogs savour a life of opulence as the pet of European nobles ; legend has it thateven Cleopatra go for bichon frises .
But do n’t underestimate bichon frises as just some pampered bow-wow ; they ’ve got an entrepreneurial disembodied spirit . During the French Revolution of the 1700s , royals lose their big businessman and the bichon was get out to fend for himself on the streets . So , the ever - so - intelligent bichon frise turned to show business concern and start performing put-on with street performers and carnival acts . These scented frank made it to the United States in the 1950s and the BFCA was founded in San Diego in 1964 . The dogs were accepted into the AKC in 1971 .
