10-15 lbs
9-12"
Unknown
Also known as a Zuchon or a Tzu Frise, the Shichon is an adorable and petite breed of dog. A Shichon dog will give its pet parents years and years and years of devoted company, proving itself among the most wonderfully fun furry companions.
In this guide we’ll sing this little guy’s praises, but you’ll also learn plenty of interesting things, including:
First things first, because this might get a bit confusing — the Shichon dog is also commonly known as a Zuchon. We’ll use the names interchangeably throughout this guide, though we’re referring to the same breed.
So, what exactly is this loveable hybrid? A Shih Tzu Bichon mix, the Shichon (or Zuchon) is a tiny dog with a big personality that can light up your life. Whether your house is huge or small, your Shichon won’t be fussy; it should be a happy dog however much space you’re able to give it. Want to be followed around the house by a furry companion who’ll always be by your side? Invest in a Shichon!
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Because this breed is a Shih Tzu - Bichon mix, we find out a lot about the Shichon by learning about its two ancestors. It’s not always easy to ascertain exactly where and when specific hybrids originated, and the Shichon/Zuchon is no different.
What we do know, however, is that the two dogs that were bred to create it are the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. The former is a dog of Chinese origin which tended to be popular with royalty, and the latter is a European dog that came to Italy from the Canary Islands, perhaps by pirates, then back to France, where the upper classes loved it.
Once the Bichon Frise made its way to the US in the middle of the 20th century, meeting the Shih Tzu that had arrived a couple of decades prior, the possibility of creating a hybrid breed became achievable.
Its fur is fluffy and soft. It’s less than a foot tall. What’s not to love? Of course, if you’re more keen on the idea of having a dog that could knock down a house or become a professional basketball player, the Shichon may not be for you. But this dog is a tiny bundle of fun that will keep you happy and entertained for years.
Because of the resemblance, people often call the Shichon ‘the teddy bear dog’. It can come in around seven colors (apricot, black, cream, chocolate brown, gray, tan, silver - or in fact a mix of any of these) and this long silky (sometimes wavy) hair will be present in abundance: you may need to trim the hair that begins to flop over the little one’s eyes.
As far as training goes, it’s the same as with all dogs — the earlier you start, the easier it should be. The Shichon is a bright dog, but it’s one that will delight in disobeying you, as small dogs can often do. Nip this in the bud by patiently and consistently training your pup with kindness and a rewards system (no punishments). If you can afford it, taking the dog to obedience school is a good idea — being trained alongside other dogs will do your Shichon the world of good.
As we’ve mentioned above, trimming the hair around their eyes more regularly is a good idea if you want your furry friend to see where they’re walking. When it comes to grooming, a daily brush is a great idea; the Shichon has the type of fur that has a tendency to become matted if not looked after. Unlike humans, you don’t necessarily need to brush your Shichon’s teeth every day — two or three brushes a week should be enough. Once every two weeks, it can be good to consider clipping their nails.
And, luckily for anyone inviting a Shichon into their lives, this is a hypoallergenic dog — a trait that will make your little one all the more popular with all of your allergy-suffering friends.
Zuchons (or Shichons) tend to be around for a long time, which is great news for everyone. The average Zuchon lifespan is a very healthy one indeed — if you’re fortunate, you should have at least 15 wonderful years with this pup. But, inevitably, there will be a few different and potentially difficult health issues along the way. Some of the conditions to which Shichons are particularly vulnerable are:
Hip dysplasia tends to be diagnosed more frequently in larger dogs. It’s a term that means the ball and socket of both hip joints are malformed in some way, causing the head of the dog’s femur to grind in the socket of the joint rather than gliding smoothly. It can be caused by malnutrition, injury or weight gain and will be noticeable as a result of your dog not moving smoothly, not jumping, or experiencing lameness in the hind legs. You should be aware, however, that the signs of hip dysplasia often don’t rear their head until dogs are a little older than puppies.
As hip dysplasia worsens, it will progress to osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease as the dog’s body tries to stabilize the hip joint. Your dog may need surgery — a femoral head/neck ostectomy is a common procedure — and may even need its hip replaced in the worst-case scenario.
It’s quite an exotic phase but ‘patellar luxation’ essentially just means dislocated kneecap. It could be inherited or it could be acquired but it’s an awkward and painful thing for your furry friend to live with. It is more common in smaller dogs but no breed is immune and the condition is graded in severity from 1 to 4.
The symptoms of patellar luxation won’t come as a huge surprise; it’s an intuitive condition that should be easy to spot. Because the condition tends to affect a dog’s hind legs, you should look out for swelling there, as well as limpness, a lack of interest in running or jumping, or simply pain when the legs are in action.
To treat the affliction, a vet may insert pins into your dog’s tibia or simply prescribe narcotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids. Generally, your dog is very likely to recover absolutely fine but do remember that in very worst-case scenarios, a limb may need to be amputated if the vet deems it necessary.
There are countless symptoms of hypothyroidism so it can often be mistaken for any one of a number of other conditions. The condition occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to keep all-important hormones in balance with one another. It can be a serious condition affecting multiple organs in the dog’s body. Although it can be difficult to spot hypothyroidism, lethargy, skin infections and low blood pressure are three of the many elements that characterize the disease.
Generally speaking, it’s easy to treat (but not cure) hypothyroidism. If left untreated, however, it’s a horrible condition that can put dogs in comas.
Though hypothyroidism never goes away, a prescription from the vet for a daily dose of a thyroxine replacement should bring about noticeable improvements in any dog’s health.
This odd-sounding condition can afflict dogs both big and small. A portosystemic shunt is a problem with the liver, in which the liver is unable to detoxify blood as it normally should as a result of the improper connection of a crucial blood vessel called the portal vein. Like most conditions, this can either be genetic or developed, generally as the result of a pre-existing liver issue.
With symptoms including vomiting, weight loss and seizures, a portosystemic shunt can be a bit frightening. The good news is that the good majority of afflicted dogs recover fully with treatment — which may be medication but could instead be a surgery called a portosystemic shunt ligation. One noteworthy thing about the surgical treatment of a portosystemic shunt is the cost: it could cost up to $12,000 to try to fix the problem, multiple times more than other conditions.
As you can see, pet health has the potential to get complex and expensive. Wondering what kind of pet insurance you might need to help you if any of these conditions arise in your furry friend? Check out quotes from all the best companies here and browse wellness plans here.
Like most if not all small dogs, a full grown Zuchon can succumb to obesity if its pet parents aren’t careful with what they’re putting on the menu. As a regular diet, high-quality dry food is always a great idea for a dog like a Shichon. Ensure you’re buying food that has ingredients like real meat, fatty acids like Omega 3, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
In general, cheap food will be cheap for a reason; make sure you’re giving your dog the food it deserves rather than trying to cut too many corners. In addition, as you probably know, there are special dog foods deliberately formulated for small breeds; there are other recipes that are recommended for the Shih Tzu. Make a beeline for these. In terms of quantity, a cup a day is about right, divided into two meals — with as few snacks as you can get away with in between.
If you want comprehensive information about the best dog foods on the market for pet parents, check out our friends at Dog Food Advisor — they have everything you need to know, and more.
Whether you’re very young or extremely old, the Shichon is a fantastic pet. A Shichon dog’s temperament is second to none. It will want to be included in everything its human family gets up to: trips to the park; excursions to the beach; walks to the toilet. This won’t be a dog that you have an aloof relationship with. Get ready for this pup to live well and truly by your side.
Intelligent, curious and friendly, Shichon adults are likely to get on well with other pets around the home. And they’re so famously likable and sensitive that they make great therapy dogs — a handy bonus.
Written by Ralph Jones
Published: 12/07/2017, edited: 12/04/2023
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Milo is 16 weeks old he is pulling when we walk him and tries to run after cars. Also we are getting a new puppy so he has a companion. How do I walk them both at the same time?
