Shichon

10-15 lbs
9-12"
Unknown
Bichon Frise
Shih Tzu
Zuchon, Tzu Frise

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:

  • Common health complaints with a Shichon dog can include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and portosystemic shunt
  • That the Shichon dog temperament is lovely — but may display cheeky behavior when it comes to training
  • Its wonderfully accurate nickname is ‘the teddy bear dog’


Shichon breed overview

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!



Are you a Shichon owner? Make sure your pup is covered for any health scares by comparing top-rated pet insurance plans in seconds.




purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu

Shichon Health

Average Size
Male Shichon size stats
Height: 9-12 inches Weight: 10-15 lbs
Female Shichon size stats
Height: 9-12 inches Weight: 10-15 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Portosystemic Shunt
  • Respiratory Problems
Minor Concerns
  • Cataracts
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Respiratory Tests
  • Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints
  • Thyroid Panel

Shichon Breed History

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.

Shichon Breed Appearance

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.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Shichon eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Shichon nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
gray Shichon coat
Gray
silver Shichon coat
Silver
brown Shichon coat
Brown
red Shichon coat
Red
cream Shichon coat
Cream
black Shichon coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Shichon wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Shichon Breed Maintenance

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.



Shichon health risks

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

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.

Patellar luxation

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.

Hypothyroidism

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.

Portosystemic shunt

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.



Feeding a Shichon — what’s the best diet?

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.


Brushes for Shichon
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Shichon requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Shichon Temperament

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. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
5 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Shichon Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Shichon Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Shichon size stats at six months
Height: 4.5 inches Weight: 6.0 lbs
Female Shichon size stats at six months
Height: 4.5 inches Weight: 6.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Shichon size stats at 12 months
Height: 6.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Shichon size stats at 12 months
Height: 6.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Shichon size stats at 18 months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 11.0 lbs
Female Shichon size stats at 18 months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 11.0 lbs

Shichon Owner Experiences

daisy
6 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
daisy is very intelligent but she want's to do poo in a pad, she does anywhere in the garden, i trained her but it's not work. she is scared to down stairs but she wants sleep in my bedroom, so every morning i have to carried her. but she is an amazing dog.
2 years, 9 months ago
Milo
1 Year
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Tug-of-war
Obedience classes
Fetch
So far he has been by far the best dog we’ve ever owned. I am a former Vet Tech and have experienced many dog breeds. We have 2 chihuahua mixes and our Shichon is the perfect companion
2 years, 10 months ago
Archimedes
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
commands
Fetch
My shichon is an interesting girl; she is more on the dominant side and is possessive of whichever family member she is sitting with/on. She dislikes moving from a place she has gotten comfortable in, and growls and may snap when you try to dominate her in these situations. She is black and white, and I have been wondering if colouring affects temperament, since my sister used to have a black and white shichon but had to give it up because she was also too snappy with my niece who was quite young at the time.
6 years, 11 months ago
Bella
18 Months
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very smart dog, her head shakes badly, and she has been bleeding since she had her first period
6 years, 9 months ago
Harley
11 Weeks
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Harley has been amazing. We have only had him for a week but he is already doing great with house training and learned to ‘sit’ on command in a 5 minute training period.
6 years, 8 months ago
Toby-Wan Kenobi
14 Weeks
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Hiking
Toby is sooooo cute. He follows me around everywhere and learned the command "come" in 5 minutes of training time. His fur is pretty long and wavy and I get stopped very often on the street because people want to pet him.
6 years, 5 months ago
Baby and princess
4 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have a male and female the most loving dogs and friendly to everyone,
6 years, 5 months ago
Bobby
10 Weeks
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bobby is the sweetest pet ever he si si caring, loving, he only cried the first night he loves his crate he is good with commands he attend when my husband and I call his name, he is full of energy and always wait for us to play when we got home every day he loves people, kids and we are working on get him to play with another dogs perfect dog! And he looks and feels like a teddy bear 🐶🐕
6 years, 5 months ago
Teddy Bear
9 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Tug-of-war
Walk
Fetch
From the moment we brought Teddy Bear home from the breeders he has been a constant source of joy in our home! He loves to play and just loves everyone being around. Although, we have nicknamed him the toddler because he is always into something. I can't imagine life without our Teddy Bear! I highly recommend the Shichon Breed for anyone who wants a lively full of energy dog who loves people!!
6 years, 4 months ago
Grace
10 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is so sweet and smart. She loves being with me. She did, however, take time to potty train, but with perseverance she trained.
6 years, 4 months ago
lucky
2 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
when he runs around
He always grabs stuff he shouldn't grab like socks, paper, my dad's glasses, and squeakers when he tears his toys apart. when he has these in his mouth then we catch him, he starts snarling at us wanting to eat it or destroy it. He likes walks and wants to go without the leash, but we never trust him because he will run away. When the doorbell rings he starts to bark and cry and jump on the gate. After the door is open he continuously jumps wagging his tail waiting for the person or when we open the gate. I like my dog but he can be stupid sometimes
5 years, 6 months ago
stephen hawking ( stephen for short )
10 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
playing fetch going on car rides and biking
we had a shichon before but he had gotten multipule fatty tumors and we had to put him down. he was an overall great companion . but then we got another shichon and he is not even a year yet and he is very inteligent
5 years, 4 months ago
Addy
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I would highly recommend this breed as they are very smart and affectionate. They get along with all other dog breeds. Addy's best friend is a large Pit-boxer mix (my daughter's)
4 years, 11 months ago
Dunkin
5 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Dunkin is our first shichon
4 years, 9 months ago
Biscuit
6 Months
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lot of nipping and scratching. Having trouble with housebreaking. Fun to watch. Into everything
4 years, 7 months ago
Rocco
6 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, teaching new tricks. My dog is very inte
Laying in the sun
My Shichon is an intelligent,loving little fellow with a great personality. He loves to cuddle, play with his toys and go for walks. He was easy to housetrain and learned many commands and tricks quickly. Love this dog breed!
4 years, 7 months ago
Chase
3 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
Replacement for 12 yr old Bichon/Tibetan X, very different coat silky and fine mats easily. Lovely, bit possessive, needs more socialising and training. good watchdog, alert to noises, barks but not too much. Listens for reaction, if I tell him its OK he stops barking.
4 years, 6 months ago
Nova
7 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Play keep away
Walk
Nova is so friendly and people immediately fall in love with her. She was fully house trained by 5 months old and is so smart. At 7 months old she’s already 13 lbs!
4 years, 3 months ago
Lilly
18 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lilly is super smart. You can teach her just about anything. She is friendly and loves anyone she is around. She is definitely a lap dog and loves to lay directly on my lap or chest. Lilly is house broken. She is really great at letting your know when she needs to be taken outside. She will jump on you and start licking your face and sometimes will start talking to your with a funny bark if you ignore her. They only problem we have encountered is when she turned a year old she had a series of UTIs which caused bladder stones . She now has to eat special wet dog food which is formulated to keep her urine PH balanced in order to prevent UTIs and the stones from forming. It’s expensive but Lilly is worth it. I love this breed and would get another one without thinking twice.
4 years ago
Teddy
5 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
playing tag
Taking strolls
Watching movies
snacking
Teddy has been such a sweet chill pup since we brought him home. He is actually our family's first dog ever. He gets hyper for like 5 minutes like 2-3x per day max and only when we're not busy, then he's exhausted afterwards. It's like he knows it's the perfect time when he comes to play. Then when the kids are online schooling he just chills and naps by their side and waits for them to be on break. He's pretty good about going on the wee wee pads and can go outside, but we're trying to get him out more now that he has most of his shots. Getting Teddy to join our family was the best decision we ever made and he is just perfect for us.
3 years, 12 months ago
Logan
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Best dog and breed. Super loving and friendly. Obedient like no other breed I have seen. Rings a captain bell when he wants go outside to relieve himself.
3 years, 11 months ago
Diego
8 Months
4 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hard to house train Very affectionate Suffers with separation anxiety Brilliant personality
3 years, 11 months ago
Maddy
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Hugging
Tug-of-war
The best friend anyone could have. Got her when she was 6 months old. Unfortunately, she has no ability to be house-trained but we love her for it. She knows some playful tricks, and loves when we play with her. Sometimes, though, she just likes to lay alone for a while. White fur with some beige spots, and the tips of her ears are grey. Major separation anxiety, has a habit of pooping. We all love her in our family. Just got her a massive new bed. She loves it!
3 years, 11 months ago
nutmeg
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
High Five
Explore the woods
Look out the window
Eating Snacks
Playing in the snow
nutmeg is the best little girl, i love her sense the day she’s come in. she makes our family brighter and happier. she loves my mom and is always up to watch court shows with her, she sleeps with my dad every night and she loves to listen to music with me. she’s the best pup i could ever lay my paws on :)
3 years, 10 months ago
Luna
5 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
This puppy has been a real challenge for us as first time dog owners. She has tons of energy and gets zoomies and will lunge and bite. She is affectionate when she is tired. Potty training has been a nightmare due to UTIs and bladder stones. I'm taking her out 2-3X a night and almost every hour during the day due to her prescription food making her drink a ton of water. It's good that I can be home with her or IDK what we would have done. She does not like to be left alone but any puppy sitter will do. I can't leave to long anyway until the bladder issue gets better. I hope so. I am reading both parent breeds have a tendency towards the stones in the urine
3 years, 10 months ago
Mochi
9 Months
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Going to the mall
Walking
Playing fetch
Sleeping
Running
Mochi is very affectionate and clingy to ALL FIVE members of the household. She hates being 'ignored' and thrives in attention. She barks when someone calls us on the phone as if to say it's Mochi time! She is also such a scaredy cat but we think she will outgrow it. She is shy when socializing with other dogs! We are working on exposing her to more fur friends. She hates when someone leaves the house to work or run errands. So clingy! All in all, she has brought immense joy to our lives with her cuddles and funny antics.
3 years, 10 months ago
Olivia
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is very affectionate, playful, loyal and does not like to be alone
3 years, 9 months ago
ZuZu
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
ZuZu is our first inside animal. She has brought such joy to our home. While potty training took about a month everything else has come easy with her. Let me add I stay home with her a lot. When I do have to leave we gate her in the kitchen with toys and water and she does fine. She plays great and snuggles wonderfully. The perfect dog for this 50 something couple.
3 years, 7 months ago
Lola
5 Months
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is a dumb bitch. She is hated to housetrain. My daughter will let her outside, and she will wait until she brings her back in to use it in the cage. Then, She runs from us. This is a crazy dog. I would not recommend this dog to anyone.
3 years, 7 months ago
Daisy
12 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Daisy is such a fun little puppy! She is a pretty quick learner, and loves to bite!
3 years, 6 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - Behavior
Question

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?

Answer
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd