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Shichon: Breed Characteristics, Care &
Exercise Needs (Zuchon)
About Shichon
Country of Origin, History of Shichons
There is no known date or person who started the Shichon breed, but it is believed it may have existed naturally over the years. However, it was only in the 1980s that designer dog breeders in North America mixed Shih Tzus and Bichon Frise to develop Shichons to have an intelligent, affectionate, companion dog. As demand for mixed breed dogs kept increasing, Shichons became more and more popular.
Shichon Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the Shichon the right breed for you?
Is the Shichon the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool
Check Your Shichon's Learning Style
Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Shichon's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper Shichon training methods.
Is your Shichon dominating over you?
Does your Shichon bark unnecessarily? Does your Shichon come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your Shichon and learn how to control your dog.
Do you make these mistakes with your Shichon?
Are you inadvertently snow-balling bad behavior in your Shichon? Evaluate your Dog Training Style from our Free Tool and learn how best to deal with your dog.
Shichon Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your Shichon needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Shichon Calorie Calculator.
A General Appearance of the Dog
The Shichon or Zuchon is a cross between the Shih-Tzu and the Bichon Frisé, two small, adorable breeds that give the Shichon a cute, fluffy look and a loving personality. To learn more about your Shichon’s traits, research both breeds involved.
This little teddy bear dog has hanging ears, a dense and fluffy coat, black nose, and button eyes. It is a friendly, loyal, and loving dog who thrives in an apartment or a home with or without a fenced yard. He enjoys entertaining or playing with his family, including children. He is a playful, happy dog.
Coat
The Shichon or Zuchon coat is usually fairly long, dense, and silky, but it may be wavy or even curly. They can be white, black, brown, gray, silver, cream, tan, apricot, reddish black, chocolate, or any combination. They are considered hypoallergenic, but be sure to spend several hours with the dog before you take it home and assume you are not allergic to it.
Weight:
10 – 15 pounds
Height:
9 – 12 inches
Free Shichon Training Secrets
Free Course on Shichon Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Shichon Personality Traits
Temperament
The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent, fearless, ever-active, strong, attentive, happy and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. It is a devoted companion. It is reserved, not shy, with strangers. They can be protective and territorial.
Are they suited to families with kids?
Most of them are good with children and other animals if properly socialized.
Training
Housebreaking may be difficult with the Shichon, so should be done with a routine, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Because they are so social, they do not want to take time to go outside to potty, so watch them vigilantly or keep them on a leash with you during potty training.
Start training this smart puppy as soon as you get him and be firm and consistent. If family members are working on training, make sure everyone is doing the same thing in the same way for the same command. Patience and persistence will be virtues for the owner when training a Shichon.
Free Shichon Training Secrets
Free Course on Shichon Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Shichon Activity Level
How active is the breed?
The Shichon is an energetic, lively dog who doesn't know when to stop playing. They enjoy short, brisk walks in their neighbourhood and will want to visit with anyone you meet. They love the interactions with other dogs at a dog park or doggie daycare. Toys should include a few for mental stimulation. While they play quite a bit, a couple of short walks will round out their daily exercise.
Grooming
The Shichon or Zuchon should be brushed a couple of times a week. Bathe only as necessary. You can have them professionally clipped if desired. Trim hair around the eyes every 2 – 3 weeks. Brush their teeth at least 3 times a week. Clip their nails every 3 – 4 weeks.
Free Shichon Training Secrets
Free Course on Shichon Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Health and Care
While the SWD seems to be a very healthy breed there are some issues that the SWD have, just like all other breeds. There are cases of Hip Dysplasia in the breed, so choose your breeder carefully.
All breeding dogs should have their hips tested, either by OFA or PennHIP. There have been a few cases of PRA reported in Europe so it is advised that all breeders should test their breeding stock for PRA and other such genetic eye diseases with a yearly CERF exam. A responsible breeder will be able to produce the results in writing.
Like other Water Dogs and related breeds, they grow hair in their ear canals and can be prone to ear infections. The ears must be kept dry and clean. . Because these dogs are (as a general rule) so active and energetic as puppies, they may seriously injure themselves from too much running and jumping when their skeletal structure is still developing.
National Breed Clubs
National Breed Clubs: none known
Other Recognition:
ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club (Zuchon)
DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club (Zuchon)
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry® (Shichon or Zuchon)
DBR = Designer Breed Registry (Tzu Frisé or Zuchon)
Group: Mixed Breed Dog.
AKC Popularity Ranking: Not recognized by AKC.
Also Known As: Tzu Frisé, Zuchon, Teddy Bear, Shichon Teddy Bear Dog, BichonTzu, Rag Doll, Shih-Chon, Shihchon
Train Your Shichon To Listen To You
Get Instant Access to Your Training Now - For Free
Sign up for our Free Shichon Mini Course to have a housebroken, obedient dog that happily comes to you every time you call.
You'll learn new commands to obedience-train your dog as well as how to housebreak your dog in 6 days or less.
You'll also learn how to eliminate bad habits like barking, nipping or biting, jumping, or pulling on the leash.Here's just s small fraction of what else you'll learn in the course:
How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most Zuchon owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your Shichon to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all Shichons have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Zuchon information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Zuchons have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
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