The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes and celebrates purebred dogs. Pure breeds are defined as “of or belonging to a recognized strain established by breeding individuals of unmixed heritage over many generations.” Though pure-bred dogs are extremely popular and are the only dogs allowed to compete in AKC competition, a new type of dog is gaining recognition and breeder interest. Crossbreeds, or hybrids are on the rise. These are mixtures of two or more pure breeds, resulting in such combinations as the Shi-Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle), Cock-A-Chon (Bichon Frise/ Cocker Spaniel) and Beabull (Beagle/Bull Dog).
These hybrids, or “designer dogs” can participate in competitions sponsored by the American Canine Hybrid Club, which recognizes over 100 different mixed breeds. Hybrid dogs usually have parents with a documented ancestry. Hybrids have become popular due to the fact they can have any mixture of the characteristics of both parents. The most popular dogs to cross with other breeds are poodles and pugs. Some choose to cross breed for health as well as aesthetic reasons. Breeds like the Bichon Frise are hypoallergenic and shed very little. This is beneficial to pet lovers with allergies. The Bichon Shih Tzu is one popular, non-allergy causing mix.
Hybrid dogs are the result of mixing two or more pure breeds. Though most mixed breeds are known as “mutts,” hybrids have parents with documented ancestry. Many dog lovers want a pet with the traits of more than one breed. In hybrids, any mixture of hereditary traits of both purebred parents is possible but resulting dogs will have recognizable characteristics of both breeds. These dogs, called “designer dogs” by the media, are highly sought after possibly due to their cute-sounding names as well as their appearance.
Bichon Shih Tzu, often called Zuchon or Shichon, are a mixture of the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu. These hybrids may any of the qualities- good or bad- of both breeds. Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise are two of the oldest dog breeds in the world. While they are both known for having many attractive traits, these two breeds are most likely bred to retain to intelligence of the Shih Tzu and the hypoallergenic coat of the Bichon Frise. Hybrids are also thought to have fewer health problems and other defects than pure breeds due to the fact that hybrids are not the result of inbreeding.
Bichon Shih Tzu dogs are the hybrid of two breeds with a long and documented history. It is no surprise that there are fans of both breeds that may wish to have the qualities of both in one dog. The Shih Tzu is thought to have descended from cross breeding of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. The dogs of Tibetan monks, Shih Tzu originated in China and may date back 2000 years.
Ancestors of the Bichon Frise date back to 600 B.C. Once called Barbichon, this was later shortened to Bichon. The French added “Frise” which references the breed’s curly fur. The Bichon was not recognized by the French Kennel Club until 1934 and gained official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1973.
The hybrid puppies of these two remarkable breeds are thought to have many of the good traits of their parents. Just as the Shih Tzu originally descended from a mix of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese, it is possible that one day the Bichon Shih Tzu, Beabull, Shi-Poo and even Cock-A-Chon may also be known as pure breeds recognized by the American Kennel Association.
While poodles and pugs are the most popular breeds to mix, Shih Tzu mixed breeds are also popular. One example is the Bichon Shih Tzu, or Zuchon. Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu information as it relates to the hybrid of these breeds is the subject of this article.
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