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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.

Updated: October 2026

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Weight

4-7 kg

Overview

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. No study has measured how long this cross lives; for the parent breeds the AKC lists 10-18 years (Shih Tzu) and 14-15 years (Bichon Frise).

History & Origins

A 2000s toy-cross nicknamed the 'teddy bear' by breeders for obvious reasons; both parent breeds are ancient professional companions.

Wikipedia's list of crossbreeds records the Zuchon as a Shih Tzu × Bichon Frise cross bred as a companion dog. The Shih Tzu came from the Chinese imperial palace and entered the AKC Stud Book in 1969; the Bichon, the AKC says, was recognised in France in 1933 and fully recognised by the AKC in 1973, after the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in San Diego in 1964.

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).

In the Royal Kennel Club (UK) standards the Shih Tzu stands no more than 27 cm and weighs 4.5-8 kg, with a long, dense coat that is "not curly"; the Bichon Frise stands 23-28 cm, with soft corkscrew curls 7-10 cm long. Both parents are small dogs, and the coat can take after either.

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.

Health & Lifespan

The Shichon's lifespan is unmeasured; the AKC figures for the parent breeds are in the overview.

The two parents share one recorded risk. In UK VetCompass records from 2013, both the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise were among six breeds with raised odds of anal sac disorders compared with crossbred dogs. The Shih Tzu also brings a short face: the AKC says the breed tolerates heat poorly and is not a good swimmer, and a 2026 study of breathing in 14 short-faced breeds placed it among five at moderate risk of BOAS, with 25-50% of dogs free of signs.

The AKC lists the Shih Tzu's eye problems (cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, corneal dryness) with hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, and for the Bichon allergies, bladder infections, luxating patella and cataracts. PetMD's Shichon page adds periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus and bladder stones. We only report these sources; a vet should judge any individual dog.

Feeding & Nutrition

Small measured meals; professional couch companions gain easily.

Training & Socialisation

Sweet but leisurely learners - housetraining takes cheerful persistence. They aim to be near you, which is 90% of their trainability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Living-teddy looks and calm
Ideal for seniors and quiet homes
Usually low-shed fluff

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

Sources

Wikipedia, List of dog crossbreeds: Zuchon, bred as a companion dog: en.wikipedia.org
AKC, Shih Tzu: history and health: akc.org
AKC, Bichon Frise: history and health: akc.org
Royal Kennel Club, Shih Tzu breed standard: size, weight and coat: royalkennelclub.com
Royal Kennel Club, Bichon Frise breed standard: size and coat: royalkennelclub.com
O'Neill et al., Veterinary Record 2021: anal sac disorders in UK dogs: doi.org
Tomlinson et al., PLOS ONE 2026: BOAS in fourteen brachycephalic breeds: doi.org
PetMD, Shichon: health issues: petmd.com

Sources opened and checked on 16 October 2026.

Everyday gear for dogs

No-pull harness Easier walks for both ends of the leash. Check price Slow-feeder bowl Turns gulping into a five-minute puzzle. Check price Deshedding brush Hair on the brush is hair not on the couch. Check price Puzzle toys A tired brain is as good as tired legs. Check price

Crates, pens and dog houses Sized by the dog, not by the box - Aosom's kennel and crate range. Shop at Aosom

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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 in months (reaches adult size around 12 months)

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.

Clue 2.A favorite of Renaissance nobility, this slender toy breed appears in many old European portraits.

Clue 3.This affectionate Hungarian hunting dog has no undercoat, so it feels the cold and seeks human contact for warmth.

Want more? Play the daily Petdle or browse the quizzes.

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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