8-13 lbs
10-14"
United States
The Fo-Tzu is a mix of the Shih-Tzu and the Toy Fox Terrier. They are both small breeds so your Fo-Tzu will be a small dog as well, standing about 13 inches tall and weighing approximately 11 pounds on average. They have a medium to long coat that is usually soft, smooth, and fine like hair rather than fur. They come in almost any color combination but the most common are black and white or brown and white. This breed may not be good for families with small children or first time pet owners because they can be snappy and headstrong.
The Shih-Tzu originated in Tibet where they lived in the Temples during ancient times. During the Tang dynasty (from 618 to 907), they were used as watchdogs and companions to royalty and were sometimes given as gifts to the Emperors of China. They are believed to be part Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Mountain Dog and were then mixed with the Pekingese to become the more traditional Shih-Tzu you see today. During the Chinese Revolution, the breed almost became extinct and there were only seven females and seven males left. From those 14 dogs, the rest of the Shih-Tzu breed were rebuilt and they became popular in other countries such as England, Norway, and the United States. Because of the similarities in the Shih-Tzu and the Lhasa Apso, they were still confused until a standard was developed in 1938 to describe the wider skull and less curved tail of the Shih-Tzu. When World War II was over, some of the soldiers brought these little dogs back with them to America and they were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969. Today, it is the 20th most popular dog breed in the United States. The Toy Fox Terrier is one of just a few breeds that originated in the United States. They were bred from the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier and were used to hunt rodents and other small prey. They were developed in the 1930s but were not officially recognized by the AKC until 2003 where they are only the 116th most popular breed.
This breed comes in all color combinations but is usually seen in gold, white, cream, brown, tan, and black. Their medium to long coat is more like hair than fur and does not usually cause allergic reactions. Some have a large head and short muzzle like the Shih Tzu but the majority have more of a small head and longer muzzle like the Toy Fox Terrier. They are small dogs and can weigh about 8 to 15 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches high. They have long, slender legs, large dark eyes, big pointed ears, and a black or dark brown nose.
To keep your Fo-Tzu’s coat and skin healthy, you need to brush them at least four or five times a week. It is best to use a wire pin brush for regular grooming and a slicker brush for tangles and mats. This breed has a tendency to have skin problems so you have to check with your veterinary care provider about what kind of shampoo and soap to use, if any. However, do not bathe them too often because it dries out their skin. You should also clean their ears once a week with a wet cotton ball and keep watch for ear wax buildup, mites, and redness because Shih-Tzus are susceptible to ear infections. In addition, trim their toenails when needed.
This breed is not great for the first-time dog owner because they can be stubborn and hard to housetrain. In addition, they are not good with young children and have been known to bite when teased. However, they do like other dogs when socialized well and can get along with cats if trained. Many people who own a Fo-Tzu use puppy pads because they are so difficult to housetrain but if you are consistent and patient, you should be able to train her eventually. Just stick with the positive reinforcement rather than physical punishment. They are smart but stubborn and can sometimes be too lazy to listen.
The Fo-Tzu can be a bit lazy if you let her so you will have to be sure to give her enough exercise to keep her from gaining too much weight. They need about 45 to 60 minutes of moderate to strenuous activity every day. This can include taking your dog for a walk in the morning and in the evening, playing a long game of fetch, going for a hike in the park, or even a trip to the local dog park. They may also like agility training and playing Frisbee if they are more like the Toy Fox Terrier than the Shih-Tzu.
Written by Loreziel Ortega
Published: 10/24/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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