Zuchon

The Zuchon originated in the United States in a quest to find a small companion dog that didn’t shed and that would fit into any family’s lifestyle no matter how small their home and yard. The Zuchon can have any combination of the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu in their appearance, behavior, and temperament. The Shih Tzu we know and love today is itself an ancient crossbreed having been created within the walls of the Forbidden City in the 17th century by crossing the Lhasa Apso from the monasteries of Tibet with an early form of the Pekinese. The resulting dogs, called Lhasa Lion Dogs, remained hidden away from the eyes of the West until the 20th century when the Peking Kennel Club was formed and the Lhasa Lion Dogs were shown for the first time alongside the Lhasa Apso. They came to America after the Second World War and gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite its name, the Bichon Frise is Spanish, not French. They found favor in the Spanish courts in the 16th century and originated on the island of Tenerife. They were known originally as the Barbichon which means “Little Barbet.” The Barbet was a local water spaniel and it is thought that the Bichon Frise was a cross between these working dogs and smaller Spanish lapdogs of the time. The Bichon Frise (then called the Bichon Tenerife) remained popular in the Spanish courts right through to the 19th century and even captivated the hearts of the French nobility as well. They fell out of favor and they went from being dogs of nobility to being largely circus performers. Thankfully, their appealing looks and their trainability meant that they excelled, finding a performing niche for themselves until French and Belgian breeders took an interest in them and worked to reestablish the breed.

The ideal owner will find pleasure in this little dog’s jester-like personality. They don’t need a ton of space and can do well with a small fenced-in yard or even in the city, so long as they have ample access to the outdoors for potty time and walks. They make excellent family dogs.

The Zuchon dog breed needs about half an hour to an hour of walking a day, plus plenty of challenging mental games and quality time with their owners.

Zuchons do well in small spaces, so long as they have access to the outdoors.

It’s possible your Zuchon might have a high-maintenance coat. They may or may not shed, and they may or may not require frequent trims, which can add up. They can mat, too. Find a good local groomer who can either look after your Zuchon’s coat or teach you how to do it yourself.

Clever and even witty, the Zuchon will enjoy learning tricks. If there is more Bichon in the mix, they will be highly trainable and love learning, especially Zuchon puppies.

Zuchons love nothing more than to be with their owners, so they do well with a family that is home most of the time or that can take them on adventures. They are good with children, albeit older ones are preferable to smaller ones that might want to play with them as a toy. They get along well with other dogs and cats.

The cost of a Zuchon from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.