Shih Tzu Mixed Breeds
Rebecca Simpson
Purebred dogs have been recognized for years, particularly by The American Kennel Club (AKC), which holds competitions for and celebrates pure breeds. Pure breeds are defined as "of or belonging to a recognized strain established by breeding individuals of unmixed heritage over many generations." Examples of purebred dogs include the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. In addition to being two of the oldest breeds, these types of dogs have established lineage and documentation of their ancestry.
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.
The hybrid of the Bichon and Shih Tzu has the benefit of both breeds. Bichon Shih Tzudogs have a long and documented history on both sides of their family tree. The Shih Tzu originated as far back as 1 A.D. The breed is thought to have descended from cross breeding of the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. The Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu breeds were revered by Tibetan monks and honored and presented as gifts by Chinese emperors.
The Shih Tzu most likely is a cross between the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. Though this may have occurred as much as 2000 years ago, the Shih Tzu probably began as a hybrid and is recognized as a pure breed today.
The ancestors of the Bichon Frise date back further, to 600 B.C. The Barbichon were Mediterranean dogs. Later, descendants of the breed went to sea with Spanish sailors and the name was shortened to Bichon. They migrated to Europe and the French added "Frise" to the name to reference the breed's curly fur. The Bichon Frise dog was recognized as a breed by the French Kennel Club in 1934 and the American Kennel Club followed suit in 1973.
About the Author:
About the author: Rebecca Simpson is an avid lover of the Shih Tzu and owns a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Shih Tzu. Among other topics at this website, you can also learn all about Shih Tzu Types plus a whole lot more.
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