Shichon (Zuchon)
The Shichon - or Zuchon, or 'teddy bear dog' - is the cross that looks most like a living plush toy: Shih Tzu serenity plus Bichon fluff in a 5-kilo package whose entire job description is companionship.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The Shichon - or Zuchon, or 'teddy bear dog' - is the cross that looks most like a living plush toy: Shih Tzu serenity plus Bichon fluff in a 5-kilo package whose entire job description is companionship. Calm, cuddly and content, it's the archetypal lap-and-sofa dog.
A designer cross: the Shichon (Zuchon) is a Shih Tzu × Bichon Frise mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. Average lifespan is 13-16 years.
History & Origins
A 2000s toy-cross nicknamed the 'teddy bear' by breeders for obvious reasons; both parent breeds are ancient professional companions.
Appearance
4-7 kg of dense soft fluff in cream, gold, grey-and-white or black-and-white; button eyes in a flat-ish plush face - the toy-store resemblance is uncanny. Typical size: Toy, 4-7 kg. Coat: Plush teddy fluff, low-shed (varies).
Temperament & Character
Placid, affectionate, gently playful; less busy than a Bichon, less aloof than some Shih Tzus - a middle path of amiable calm. Excellent with gentle children and seniors.
Care
Modest walks, daily face/eye tidying, brushing every other day and clips every 6 weeks; mild heat caution for shorter-muzzled individuals.
Feeding & Nutrition
Small measured meals; professional couch companions gain easily.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Living-teddy looks and calm
- Ideal for seniors and quiet homes
- Usually low-shed fluff
- Long-lived companion
Cons
- Daily face care
- Slow housetraining
- Heat sensitivity possible
- Needs company most of the day
Best Suited For
- Seniors and homebodies
- Apartments
- Gentle families
- First-time toy owners
Shichon (Zuchon) puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a toy breed like the Shichon (Zuchon), estimated from its adult weight of 4-7 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.3-2.3 kg | 33% |
| 3 mo | 1.8-3.2 kg | 45% |
| 4 mo | 2.2-3.9 kg | 55% |
| 6 mo | 3-5.3 kg | 75% |
| 9 mo | 3.8-6.7 kg | 95% |
| 12 mo | 4-7 kg | 100% |
| Adult | 4-7 kg | 100% |
Shichon (Zuchon) - frequently asked questions
Is the 'teddy bear dog' a breed?
No - it's this Shih Tzu × Bichon cross (and marketing). Charming dog, unofficial label; judge the breeder, not the branding.
How much grooming?
Teddy looks are earned: brushing most days, professional grooming every 6 weeks, daily eye wiping on light faces.
Calm or playful?
Both in miniature: short cheerful play bursts bracketed by championship napping - the ideal rhythm for its favourite households.
🧠 Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.Developed in southern Africa from native dogs and European breeds, this muscular hunter is nicknamed the lion dog.
It's the Rhodesian Ridgeback - read the full profile →
Clue 2.A favorite of Renaissance nobility, this slender toy breed appears in many old European portraits.
It's the Italian Greyhound - read the full profile →
Clue 3.This affectionate Hungarian hunting dog has no undercoat, so it feels the cold and seeks human contact for warmth.
It's the Vizsla - read the full profile →
💛 Adoptable dogs near you
Set on this breed? It is usually a designer cross, so here are dogs of every kind near you, live from Petfinder - filter by breed there if you like. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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