There is a reason people call them Teddy Bears. The round face, the dark button eyes, the soft, fluffy coat that makes them look like a stuffed animal come to life. The first time you hold a Teddy Bear puppy, you understand the name immediately. These dogs were designed to be held, loved, and adored, and they deliver on that promise every single day.
At The Puppy Lodge, Teddy Bear puppies are one of our most popular breeds, and it is easy to see why. They are small, gentle, low-shedding, and have a temperament that fits just about any living situation you can think of. But because the Teddy Bear is a designer hybrid and not a standardized purebred, there is a lot of confusing and sometimes contradictory information out there about what these dogs actually are, how big they get, what kind of care they need, and what health considerations come with the breed. We hear those questions constantly, and this guide answers every one of them.
Our kennel is Purdue University Canine Care Certified, and every Teddy Bear puppy we raise comes from parents that have been genetically tested and health screened. We put every puppy through Early Neurological Stimulation from three to sixteen days old. We know these dogs because we raise these dogs, and everything in this article comes from that hands-on experience combined with the health testing and care standards that responsible breeding requires.
What Exactly Is a Teddy Bear Dog?
A Teddy Bear is a designer hybrid that crosses a Shih Tzu with a Bichon Frise. If you have been searching online, you have probably seen this breed called a Shichon, a Zuchon, or a Shih Tzu-Bichon mix. Those are all the same dog. The name Teddy Bear caught on because of the breed’s appearance, and it is the name most families recognize and search for. At The Puppy Lodge, we use Teddy Bear as our primary name and Shichon as the formal breed designation.
Here is some history on the breed. The Teddy Bear breed was first bred in the United States around the year 2000. Breeders were looking to combine the Shih Tzu’s compact size and loyal temperament with the Bichon Frise’s cheerful disposition and low-shedding coat. The result was a small companion dog that checked almost every box on the wish list: friendly, gentle, great with kids, good for allergy sufferers, and impossibly cute. This breed’s popularity has grown steadily since then, and today Teddy Bears are among the most sought-after designer breeds in the country.
Because the Teddy Bear dog breed is a hybrid and not a breed that is recognized by the American Kennel Club there is no official breed standard. That means there is more variation from puppy to puppy than you would see with a purebred. Two Teddy Bears from the same litter can look noticeably different depending on which parent breed they favor. One might have the Shih Tzu’s flatter face and silkier coat, while another leans more toward the Bichon’s rounder features and curlier fur. Both are equally Teddy Bear. The variation is part of the charm, and at The Puppy Lodge, we can give you a good idea of what to expect from any given litter based on the parents.
The Teddy Bear is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and other designer breed registries, and it is backed by two very well-established parent breeds. The Shih Tzu has a lineage that traces back over a thousand years to the royal courts of China, where they were prized as companion dogs for emperors. The Bichon Frise has equally noble roots, favored by French royalty and known throughout Europe as a cheerful, resilient little performer. When you combine those two histories, you get a dog that was quite literally born to be a companion.
Size, Build, and What They Look Like Grown Up
Teddy Bears are a small dog breed. Teddy Bear adults can weigh between 9 and 15 pounds and stand 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a compact, sturdy build that is more substantial than it looks under all that fur. When you pick one up, you will notice they feel solid for their size. They are not fragile or delicate, the way some toy breeds can be. They are small enough to fit in your lap but sturdy enough to play with kids without worrying about them being too fragile.
The face is where the Teddy Bear name really comes from. A rounded head, dark, expressive eyes, a small black nose, and floppy ears framed by soft fur. Their expression is warm and inviting, and they have a way of looking at you that makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world. It is a look they give to just about everyone they meet, which is a big part of why this breed makes such an effective therapy dog.
The Teddy Bear coat is one of this breed’s biggest selling points. It can be wavy to curly, depending on which parent breed the puppy favors. Their fur has a texture that is soft and plush. Colors include white, cream, brown, black, gray, silver, and various combinations and patterns. Some Teddy Bears are solid colored, while others have patches or markings. The coat is low-shedding and considered hypoallergenic, which means it produces fewer allergens than many other breeds. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but Teddy Bears are one of the better options for families where allergies are a concern.
Temperament: Why Families Love This Breed
If there were a single word to describe the Teddy Bear temperament, it would be devoted. These dogs live for their people. They want to be near you, on you, or at least in the same room as you at all times. They will follow you from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom and back again without ever getting tired of the commute. For families, singles, couples, and seniors who want a dog that makes them feel like the center of the universe, the Teddy Bear delivers that feeling every day.
They are naturally gentle and patient, which makes them outstanding with children. They do not have the high energy or the prey drive that can make some small breeds unpredictable around kids. They are happy to play but equally happy to sit and be petted, which is exactly the kind of flexibility families need. They also get along well with other dogs and household pets when properly socialized, thanks to the easygoing nature they inherit from both the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise.
The Teddy Bear is not a high-energy dog. They have a moderate activity level that is easy to satisfy with a couple of short walks and some indoor playtime each day. Thirty minutes to an hour of total activity is plenty for most Teddy Bears. They are just as happy chasing a toy across the living room as they are walking around the block, which makes them an excellent fit for apartment living, condos, and homes without a big yard. Seniors and people with limited mobility find them particularly well-suited because they do not demand intense exercise but still provide plenty of companionship and interaction.
There is one temperament trait that deserves an honest discussion, and that is that this breed can have separation anxiety. The Shih Tzu dogs and the Bichon Frise are bred to be companion breeds. They are specifically developed to be close to their owners. When you combine the two, you get a dog that bonds very deeply and can struggle when left alone for long periods, causing separation anxiety. This does not mean you cannot leave your Teddy Bear to go to work. It means you need to prepare them for alone time through crate training and gradual practice, and you need to make sure they have enrichment and comfort when you are gone. At The Puppy Lodge, our Early Neurological Stimulation program helps build stress tolerance from the first weeks of life, giving our puppies a stronger foundation for handling new situations, including time on their own.
Don’t worry, training a Teddy Bear pup is, overall, a positive experience. The Teddy Bear breed is smart and eager to please. So, using positive reinforcement training is effective and fun for both you and the pup. Even though the Shih Tzu side can have a mild stubborn streak that shows up occasionally during training, it is nothing that patience and consistency cannot handle. Keeping training sessions short, upbeat, and reward-based, and your Teddy Bear will learn quickly. Housebreaking can take a bit more patience with smaller breeds simply because smaller bladders mean more frequent trips outside, but most Teddy Bears get the hang of it within the first few weeks with a consistent routine.
The Coat: Grooming, Maintenance, and Keeping That Teddy Bear Look
The Teddy Bear’s coat is beautiful, but it does require regular attention. This is not a wash-and-go breed. The soft, wavy to curly coat can mat and tangle if it is not brushed consistently, and a matted coat is uncomfortable for the dog and expensive to fix at the groomer. Daily brushing is best, especially if you keep the coat on the longer side. A soft slicker brush or a pin brush works well for getting through the coat without pulling. If you prefer a shorter, more manageable look, you can have your groomer keep the coat clipped shorter and reduce brushing to a few times a week.
Professional grooming every four to six weeks is a part of owning a Teddy Bear. The classic teddy bear cut, which keeps the face rounded and the body evenly trimmed, is the most popular style. This also gives the breed its signature look. The right groomer will also take care of the hair around the eyes, which grows quickly in this breed and needs to be trimmed regularly. If eye hair is left too long, it can irritate the eyes, block vision, and contribute to tear staining. Speaking of tear staining, those dark streaks under the eyes are common in Teddy Bears because of their narrow tear ducts. Keeping the eye area clean and dry with a gentle wipe each day minimizes staining and prevents skin irritation.
Dental care for your Teddy Bear is very important. Because small dogs are more susceptible to oral health problems than larger breeds, they may need more attention to their oral health. The Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise have a higher likelihood of these issues, including plaque buildup, gum disease, and early tooth loss. Brushing your dog’s teeth at home with a dog safe toothpaste every day is the single best thing you can do to prevent these problems. Dental chews can help supplement brushing, and your vet will likely recommend professional dental cleanings on a regular basis. Starting dental care in puppyhood makes it a normal part of the routine.
Ear care matters too, for the Teddy Bear’s floppy ears can trap moisture and debris. This can create conditions for ear infections in the dog’s ears. Getting your dog a weekly check and gentle cleaning with a vet-approved ear solution keeps everything healthy. Nail trimming every two to three weeks rounds out the grooming routine. It sounds like a lot when you list it all out, but once you build the habits, it becomes second nature and takes just a few minutes a day.
Health and Lifespan: What to Know and What to Watch For
Teddy Bears are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan. Most live between 12 and 16 years, and many reach the upper end of that range with proper care. The hybrid vigor that comes from crossing two different breeds can provide a health advantage over some purebred lines, as mixed-breed dogs are statistically less likely to inherit certain genetic disorders. That said, no dog is immune to health issues, and there are conditions from both parent breeds that Teddy Bear owners should understand.
Patellar luxation is one of the more common conditions in small breeds, including the Shih Tzu. This is a kneecap issue where the kneecap can slip out of its normal position. In mild cases, the dog may skip a step now and then, and the kneecap pops back into place on its own. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed. Keeping your Teddy Bear at a healthy weight and avoiding excessive jumping, especially as a puppy, helps reduce stress on the joints.
Eye conditions are worth monitoring because both parent breeds can be prone to them. Conditions such as Cataracts, dry eye and progressive retinal atrophy are the most common concerns to keep track of. Regular veterinary exams that include an eye check can catch these conditions early, and most are treatable or manageable when detected early. The tear staining mentioned in the grooming section is cosmetic, not a health threat, but persistent eye discharge that looks unusual in color or consistency warrants a vet visit.
Hip dysplasia, while can be more commonly associated with larger breeds, can occur in small dogs too. Both the Shih Tzu dog and the Bichon Frise dogs carry some predisposition for it. Allergies, both environmental and food-related, can also show up in this cross. Skin allergies may present as itching, redness, or recurring ear infections. Food allergies may show up as digestive issues or skin problems. Working with your vet to identify these triggers makes management simple in most cases.
And then there is the dental health conversation, which is important enough to mention again here. Dental disease is one of the most common health issues across all small breeds, and it can lead to pain, tooth loss, and even systemic health problems if bacteria from infected gums enter the bloodstream. Prevention through daily brushing and professional cleanings is the best approach, and starting early makes all the difference.
At The Puppy Lodge, genetic testing and health screening of our breeding dogs is how we reduce these risks before a litter is ever produced. We stand behind every Teddy Bear puppy with a three-year health guarantee because we have done the work upfront. A responsible breeder cannot guarantee that a dog will never have a health issue, but they can dramatically reduce the odds by testing the parents and making informed breeding decisions. That is the standard we hold ourselves to.
What Daily Life with a Teddy Bear Looks Like
Living with a Teddy Bear is about as low-stress as dog ownership gets. These are calm, adaptable dogs that settle into your lifestyle rather than demanding you change it for them. They are quiet compared to many small breeds and they are not constant barkers, though they will let you know when someone is at the door. They do not need a yard. They do not need hours of running. They need your time, your attention, and a comfortable spot on the couch next to you, and they will be content.
They travel well because of their small size and easygoing nature. Car rides, hotel stays, and visits to friends and family are all things most Teddy Bears handle without any fuss. Their compact size also makes them easy to accommodate in apartments and smaller living spaces where larger breeds might feel cramped. They are truly a dog that fits into your life instead of the other way around.
Feeding is uncomplicated. A high-quality small breed dog food in appropriate portions is all they need. Because Teddy Bears can be prone to putting on extra weight, and because extra weight stresses their small joints and overall health, portion control and limiting treats is something to stay aware of. Your vet can help you determine the right calorie intake based on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Resist the urge to free-feed, as scheduled meals make it much easier to monitor how much your dog is actually eating.
The social nature of the Teddy Bear means they do amazing in homes that offer plenty of interaction. They do well as the only pet in a household and they do equally well in homes with other dogs or cats. They are not territorial or aggressive and they tend to approach new people and animals with curiosity rather than fear. If you entertain often, your Teddy Bear will be the host, greeting every guest like a long-lost friend. That social confidence is part of what makes this breed such an effective therapy and emotional support dog, and it is a trait we see consistently in our Puppy Lodge Teddy Bears because of the early socialization work we do before they ever go home.
The Bottom Line
The Teddy Bear is a dog breed that makes people fall in love with dogs. They are small enough to carry and sturdy enough to play with. The Teddy Bear is gentle enough for kids and seniors to handle. They are loyal enough to become your shadow for the next fifteen years. They are very low-shedding, adaptable and built for companionship in a way that few other breeds can match. Regular grooming is required, and the dental care matters, but those are small trade-offs for a dog that gives you this much joy in return.
We wrote this guide because the Teddy Bear deserves better information than what most websites provide. At The Puppy Lodge, we want every family that considers a Shichon to understand the breed fully, from the coat care to the health picture to the daily reality of living with one of these dogs. When you go in prepared, the experience is everything you hoped it would be. If you still have questions after reading this, we are here. Reach out anytime. Talking about Teddy Bears is one of our favorite things to do.