Teddy Bear Dog Breed Information: Facts, Characteristics & Care

Teddy bear puppies, sometimes called Zuchon or Shichon, are a designer breed that is typically a cross between Shih Tzu and Bichon Frize (Shichon teddy bear) or a mix of Shih Tzu and Maltese (Mal – teddy bear). Shi).

Tiny, fluffy, and absolutely adorable charming Teddy Bear puppies bring new meaning to love at first sight. These little toy dogs are as cheerful, playful, and cuddly as it gets. They love to impress their owners with cute tricks and stunts and are completely eager to make their human family happy. Teddy bear puppies and cubs love to be involved in all family activities and really enjoy playing, cuddling, and training.

For a deeper understanding of designer breeds like The Teddy Bear, check out our definitive guide to teddy bear dogs

History Teddy Bear Dog

History Teddy Bear Dog

The Designer teddy bear breed was deliberately crossed between the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frize in the United States around 2000. Teddy bear dog breeders wanted to mix these two breeds to get teddy bear puppies the size of the Shih Tzu and the adaptability of the Bichon Frise. Breeders have noticed that the Shichon, also known as teddy bear, is becoming more and more popular due to its hypoallergenic coat and friendly handling with all types of families.

Although the exact origins of the Teddy Bear breed are unknown, we can look back at the history of the Shih Tzu, Maltese, and Bichon Frize breeds to better understand the designer hybrid breed.

One of the parent breeds of the teddy bear, the Shih Tzu is considered one of the oldest dog breeds and a favorite of emperors. In Chinese art, there are cultural depictions of the Shih Tzu dog breed that date back to the 6th century. This parent breed of the Teddy Bear is said to be a dog with a regal bearing, and rightly so, because they were bred to live in palaces and please emperors.

The Maltese breed belongs to the world aristocracy of dogs. The Maltese is a dog of royalty and nobility and has been depicted in paintings, ceramics, and literature for centuries. Maltese puppies are among the best-behaved small pets, they are obedient and strong, but also cheerful and playful.

Centuries ago, the Bichon Frize breed was very popular in France and Spain, appearing in portraits of royalty in both countries. It is believed that in the 16th century, itinerant navigators brought the Bichon Frize from Tenerife to Europe. Upon arrival, the Bichon puppies with their loving, sweet nature and cuddly good looks quickly won the hearts of the Court Ladies and soon became darlings at Court.

Teddy dogs are a gift for dog lovers everywhere. Dogs that look like teddy bears are a true testament to the commitment and passion of professional dog breeders. Smaller, healthier, fluffier, and with a plethora of traits inherited from their parents, these pooches could become the best designer dogs ever.

Appearance

teddy bear breeds

Gorgeous teddy bear eyes, a round teddy bear face, and a fluffy teddy bear coat – everything about these adorable little dogs comes down to the teddy bear look. Teddy bear dogs are small, cuddly looking, and puffy. They seem friendly, non-aggressive, and ready to make friends. Because they are a mixed breed of two or more different dog breeds, they may show more traits in one parent and fewer in another.

Recognized as a Toy breed, teddy bear dogs inherit the small size of their parent breeds. While their size may vary slightly from dog to dog, they generally average 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh 6 to 14 pounds for an adult teddy bear dog (adult teddy bear dog).

With their body covered in soft fluffy fur, a round face with sparkling round eyes, a small, precious nose, cute hanging ears, and a short puffy tail that runs along the back, they are visually real teddy bears.

The hypoallergenic teddy bear fur is soft and fluffy and comes in a variety of gorgeous colors, most commonly White, Brown, Black, Gray, and Yellow. Both the Shichon and the Malshi can wear different coat colors and coat color combinations with certain patterns and markings. The Shichon teddy bear has a variety of possible fur textures due to the long, straight hair of the Shih Tzu and the curly, wavy fur of the Bichon Fris, the Kardamena.

The most popular teddy bear colors are:

  • Brown
  • Brown and white teddy bear
  • Black brown and white teddy bear
  • White
  • Black
  • Cream
  • Black and white
  • There are also some size variations in teddy bear breeds.

Characteristics

Characteristics Teddy bear

The teddy bear exudes kindness in every way – he is friendly towards children, other pets and strangers
The baby teddy bear does not show favorites among family members. A charismatic dog who loves everyone equally, the Teddy Bear is a wonderful companion for children and adults.
Cozy and warm, Teddy is an excellent therapy dog
The Zuchon dog is an extremely adaptable puppy: whether it’s an apartment, a farm or anything in between, the teddy bear quickly adapts to any living situation
The teddy bear is best suited for large and small families with or without children, singles, and elderly owners
Shichon puppies are known to get along well with other pets, such as cats, due to their pleasant nature
Completely hypoallergenic and lint-free teddy bear coat
The Teddy Bear Puppies are easy to train. They love learning new tricks and have a great passion for performing and entertaining
The Teddy Bear, also known as Zuchon, Shichon, and Malshi, has become one of America’s most popular designer dog breeds

Temperament

A hybrid of two different dogs, teddy bear puppies inherits the most desirable qualities their parents have to offer. They are friendly, affectionate, and calm. Their favorite things to do include making friends with other fur babies and cuddling with their humans. They love playing hide and seek, solving puzzles, and chasing their chew toys. They also love to run, swim, and fetch freely. Since they are family-oriented dogs, they love being held, cuddled, petted, and petted.

When it comes to kids, teddy bears are the best furry friends. They are patient and gentle enough to play with even the youngest children and elastic (and mischievous) enough to entertain older children.

Training teddy bear puppies is always a fun and rewarding experience. These puppies enjoy the attention that Studio sessions bring and are very eager to impress their owners. They like to try new tricks and proudly show off what they have learned.

When playtime is over, the teddy bear takes over his sweet and loving nature and is immediately ready for cuddles.

Fun and outgoing, cuddly and affectionate, calm and helpful are just some of the many qualities that make the teddy bear a wonderful addition to any family.

Training teddy bear puppies can be a joy. For more information on effective dog training, check out our “Easiest Dogs To Train” blog.

Care

Grooming Requirements

Teddy bears are easy to care for in terms of care. All you need is a monthly bath and weekly brushing and combing to keep your coat clean, tangle-free, and shiny. It is recommended to check and clean the ears and eyes, brush the teeth regularly and, if necessary, cut the nails.

Understanding your puppy’s grooming needs is crucial. Find out more about this in our How Often You Should Bathe Your Dog Guide.

Health

Teddy bear dogs are a healthy breed that is not prone to as many health problems as other small dog breeds. Conditions such as hypothyroidism, epilepsy, eye problems, or hip dysplasia may occasionally occur. It is recommended that the teddy bear dog eats a balanced diet with high-quality dog food and provides a proper training program. Excessive exercise, overeating, rough play, and improper handling can lead to serious health problems and should be avoided.

Training

Teddy Bears are very clever dogs. They can be easily trained when they are properly motivated. To keep the Teddy Bears attentive and eager to learn, it is best to keep training sessions short and interactive and use positive reinforcement methods. Cheers and delicious treats work best when training Teddy Bear puppies. Once they become interested in what they are being taught, they turn into obedient, easygoing students.

Socializing and leash training Teddy Bears puppies should be done gradually, preferably a few minutes every day. Although they are outgoing, social, and friendly, it is always best to introduce them to new experiences, situations, and distractions early on.

Exercise Needs

Teddy Bears are playful, cuddle-oriented pups. They love taking part in all family activities whether they involve sporty playtime outdoors or relaxing play sessions at home. Teddy Bears enjoy lazing around the house as much as they enjoy chasing a ball on an open field.

When it comes to their exercise requirements, a few brisk walks every day and some active playtime indoors are enough to keep the Teddy Bears happy and fit.

Teddy bear dog lifespan

The Teddy Bear dog lifespan is between 12 to 18 years. The life expectancy of a Teddy Bear dog can exceed 18 years when the dog is provided with a warm and loving environment, a nourishing diet, and daily exercise activities.

FAQs

What breed of dog is a teddy bear?

The early 2000s saw the creation of many new cute breeds, including the Teddy Bear dog. Teddy Bears are a mix of the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu breeds so each littler may look different from the others. Like other designer dog breeds, this is because Teddy Bear puppies gain different traits from each parent.

What species is a teddy bear?

USGS study looks at Louisiana Black Bear Population. The bear species nicknamed “teddy” more than a century ago that inspired the iconic stuffed toy still popular today will likely survive at least another century, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey study.

Why are they called teddy bear dogs?

Teddy bear dogs are not an actual dog breed, explains Jo Myers, DVM at online veterinary service Pawp. Instead, the moniker describes the dog’s adorable bear-like appearance. “The term ‘teddy bear breed’ just means these dogs are cute and fuzzy,” Myers says.il y a 6 hours

Do teddy bear dogs stay small?

You’ll mainly find small dog breeds categorized as teddy bear dogs, which means they tend to stay that way. Depending on the breed, they will likely be around 12 inches in height and up to 15 pounds. However, a few are on the larger side, such as the Chow Chows, which can grow to be up to 75 pounds.

Is Teddy Bear dog a Poodle?

Teddy bear dogs acquired their name from their teddy-like features: their button nose and eyes and soft, fluffy fur! The most popular hybrids are between Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises, or Poodles, but there are other options too!

Are teddy bear dogs friendly?

The teddy bear is a friendly and affectionate little dog that loves to be around family. These dogs are generally good with kids. Shichon dogs are lively and they love to play which makes them a great choice for active families or families with older children.

What is a popular teddy bear dog?

You’ll often find these sweet teddy bear puppies come from mixing breeds together. Poodles pop up a lot as teddy bear dog parents, plus Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, and Pomeranians. However, there are some breeds that stand out as bear-like without any blending (we’re looking at you, Bichon Frisé).

What are the colors of Teddy Bear dogs?

Black, White, Red, Blue, Apricot, Champagne, Chocolate, Isabella. Our line produces so many colors and variations! Between the patterns, colors, and the morphing gene that can change over time – the combinations are limitless! Here is a small sampling of some of the teddy bear colors we have produced over the years.

  • full grown teddy bear dog
  • teddy bear puppies
  • Teddy bear dog for sale
  • teddy bear dog size
    smallest teddy bear dog breed
    are teddy bear dogs hypoallergenic
    do teddy bear dogs shed