The Teddy Bear Puppy:
Everything You Need to Know
Low-Shedding, Family Home Raised, ENS Trained
What Is a Teddy Bear Puppy, Really?
A Teddy Bear puppy is a first-generation cross between a purebred Shih Tzu and a purebred Bichon Frise. The formal names for this pairing are Shichon or Zuchon, though most people just call them Teddy Bears. It’s a name that fits. These are small, soft, round-faced dogs that genuinely look like the stuffed animal they’re named after, and that look holds through adulthood.
The cross wasn’t accidental. Breeders in the late 1990s intentionally paired these two breeds to combine what each parent does well. The Shih Tzu brings centuries of calm, affectionate companion breeding. The Bichon Frise brings a hardier constitution, playful energy, and a low-shedding coat that most allergy-sensitive families can live with. Put together, you get a small, gentle, low-shedding companion that bonds tightly with its family and adapts to almost any living situation.
At Boundless Horizon Puppies, Dan and Melissa work with a small group of families who raise Teddy Bear puppies the way we require: in their homes, handled daily, socialized from birth. Every Teddy Bear puppy we place comes from a family home, not a kennel.
If you’re researching whether a Teddy Bear puppy fits your family, keep reading. We’ll walk through the real strengths, the honest limitations, what day-to-day care looks like, and the questions worth asking any breeder before you put down money.
Meet the Parent Breeds
Understanding a Teddy Bear puppy starts with understanding the two breeds behind it. Both were developed over centuries to be companions, not herding dogs, not working dogs, not guard dogs. That shared purpose is why the cross reliably produces what it produces.
The Shih Tzu
One of the oldest toy breeds around, with Tibetan ancestors going back centuries. Shih Tzu-type dogs became fixtures of the Chinese imperial court during the Ming Dynasty (roughly 1368 to 1644), bred with one goal: to be held, loved, and to love back. The result is a dog with a calm, people-oriented personality that mostly lacks the high-strung edge you find in some other small breeds.
What the Shih Tzu passes to the Teddy Bear puppy: patience, a gentle disposition, tolerance for handling, and a companion-first personality that extends to every member of the household.
The Bichon Frise
Originally a sailor’s companion in the Mediterranean, the Bichon Frise made its way into French and Spanish royal courts by the 1500s. Where the Shih Tzu is steady and serene, the Bichon brings playful energy and an easy sociability with strangers. Its broader breeding history also gave it a hardier constitution overall.
What the Bichon Frise passes to the Teddy Bear puppy: the low-shedding, soft coat that’s the hallmark of the cross, along with playful, adaptable energy and social ease around new people and other animals.
Why we stick to true F1 crosses: Crossing two distinct purebred lines widens the gene pool for that litter, which many breeders and vets associate with fewer inherited problems showing up (a pattern often called hybrid vigor). It’s not a guarantee, and it doesn’t erase issues that both parent breeds already share, like patellar luxation or dental crowding. We work exclusively with true F1 pairings, a purebred Shih Tzu crossed with a purebred Bichon Frise, rather than Shichon-to-Shichon multi-generation breeding.
What Teddy Bear Puppies Actually Look Like
The name Teddy Bear isn’t exaggeration. The round face, dark wide-set eyes, short muzzle, soft hanging ears, and full fluffy coat add up to a dog most people find genuinely hard to resist, and that look holds into adulthood. Teddy Bear dogs keep a puppy-like appearance well past their first year.
They’re a true toy breed. Adults typically measure 9 to 12 inches at the shoulder and weigh 8 to 12 pounds. Ask any breeder for the parent dogs’ weights. That’s the best predictor of adult size you’ll get.
The coat is soft and wavy to loosely curly, depending on which parent’s coat genes dominate in a given puppy. Hair growth is continuous and needs regular trimming, but the low dander output is what makes this breed workable for families with dog allergies.
- ▪Round, wide-set dark eyes, expressive and alert, not bulging
- ▪Short flat muzzle inherited from the Shih Tzu parent
- ▪Soft hanging ears covered in feathered fur
- ▪Sturdy, compact body, not as fragile-looking as some toy breeds
- ▪Fluffy tail that typically curves gently over the back
- ▪Continuous coat growth with no seasonal shedding cycle
- ▪Puppy-like appearance that lasts well into adulthood
Common Teddy Bear Puppy Colors
Bi-color and tri-color combinations are common in Teddy Bear puppies. Color intensity can shift as the dog matures.
Temperament: What Life With a Teddy Bear Puppy Is Actually Like
Both parent breeds were developed over centuries for one job: being a good companion. The Teddy Bear puppy inherits that fully. Here’s an honest look at what that means day to day.
People-First, Always
Teddy Bear puppies don’t bond to one person and ignore everyone else. They bond to the whole family. They’ll follow people from room to room, want to be in the middle of whatever is happening, and get unhappy if they’re consistently left out.
Patient and Gentle With Kids
Centuries of palace breeding gave the Shih Tzu a high tolerance for handling and a low tendency toward aggression. Teddy Bear puppies inherit that patience reliably. They do well with children of all ages. Young kids should still learn correct small-dog handling, but this breed won’t snap at rough handling the way some toy breeds will.
Easy With Other Pets
Low prey drive, not territorial, social by nature. Most Teddy Bear dogs get along well with other dogs and cats, especially when introductions happen during the early socialization window. A multi-pet household is usually a good match for this breed.
Trainable and Eager to Please
Teddy Bear puppies respond well to positive reinforcement and genuinely enjoy the attention that comes with training sessions. Keep sessions short, reward-based, and varied. They aren’t as driven as a working breed, but they’re responsive.
Generally Quiet
Teddy Bears don’t carry the sharp, persistent bark of some toy breeds. They’ll alert to sounds at the door, but they aren’t compulsive barkers. That matters in condos, apartments, and any shared-wall living situation.
They Need Company
This is the one we say plainly on every call. A Teddy Bear puppy is a companion dog. Long stretches alone, eight or more hours most days, are genuinely hard on this breed. Remote workers, retirees, and stay-at-home parents consistently see the best outcomes. If the house sits empty all day, every day, this probably isn’t the right breed for that situation.
Teddy Bear Puppy Care: Grooming, Exercise, Training & Health
Knowing what a breed needs before you bring a puppy home saves you from surprises later. Here’s the honest rundown on what day-to-day life actually looks like.
The coat doesn’t shed in the traditional sense, but it grows continuously. Left unmanaged, it mats. Plan on a professional grooming appointment every 4 to 6 weeks. Budget roughly $50 to $75 per visit, depending on your area and coat length.
At home, brush two to three times a week with a slicker brush and a metal comb. The comb catches mats at the root that the brush misses. Pay close attention to the ears, armpits, and the area behind the ears, where mats usually start.
The single most useful thing you can do is take your puppy to the groomer around week 12, before the coat needs a real cut. A puppy introduced early to the grooming table, the blow dryer, and being handled will stay calm and cooperative at every appointment for years afterward.
Wipe around the eyes daily. Check ears weekly, since hanging ears trap moisture and can develop yeast infections if they aren’t kept clean and dry. Brush teeth daily with dog-specific enzymatic toothpaste. Dental disease is the top health issue in small breeds, and it’s almost entirely preventable with early habits.
Grooming at a Glance
- Professional grooming every 4–6 weeks
- Home brushing 2–3× per week (daily in winter)
- Metal comb catches root mats a brush misses
- First groomer visit around week 12, before it’s overdue
- Eye wipe daily to reduce tear staining
- Ear check and clean weekly
- Nail trim every 3–4 weeks
- Teeth brushed daily; dental disease is the top risk
- Budget $50–$75 per professional visit
Teddy Bear puppies have moderate energy. Two walks a day, 15 to 20 minutes each, is usually enough to keep them physically and mentally satisfied. They adapt to the household’s rhythm: an active family that takes longer walks will end up with a dog that handles longer walks just fine.
Indoor play counts fully. Fetch down a hallway, tug with a rope toy, hide-and-seek with treats: Teddy Bear dogs genuinely engage with these and tire out mentally as well as physically.
They don’t need a yard. Apartment and condo families do consistently well with this breed. What they need is consistent daily movement and human interaction, not square footage.
In cold weather below 25°F, a dog jacket makes a walk more comfortable. Wipe paws after winter walks, since road salt causes cracking and irritation. In summer heat, stick to early morning and evening walks to avoid hot pavement.
Exercise at a Glance
- 2 walks per day, 15–20 minutes each
- Indoor play fully counts toward daily needs
- Mental stimulation matters as much as physical
- No yard required; adapts well to apartment life
- Dog jacket recommended below 25°F
- Wipe paws after winter walks (road salt)
- Avoid hot pavement in summer heat
- Adjusts naturally to household energy level
Teddy Bear puppies are responsive dogs. They’re people-pleasers by nature, and that translates directly into training. Positive reinforcement (treats, praise, attention) works consistently well. Harsh corrections or punishment-based methods don’t suit them and typically cause anxiety or shutdown behavior instead.
Start basic commands the first week home. A 10-week-old Teddy Bear puppy can learn sit, stay, come, and down. Short sessions of five to ten minutes, two or three times a day, work better than one long 30-minute session.
Crate training from the start makes the first year a lot easier and is genuinely kind when done correctly. For a puppy under 4 months, keep it to two or three hours crated at a stretch, at most.
Housetraining takes patience and consistency. A puppy under 12 weeks needs to go outside every 45 to 60 minutes during waking hours. A consistent schedule and predictable feeding times shorten the timeline considerably.
Training at a Glance
- Positive reinforcement only: treats, praise, attention
- 5–10 minute sessions, 2–3 times per day
- Start basic commands in week one at home
- Crate training: kind when done right
- Max 2–3 hours crated under 4 months old
- Housetraining: outside every 45–60 min under 12 weeks
- Consistent schedule shortens housetraining timeline
- Socialize weeks 8–16: sounds, surfaces, people, animals
Crossing two distinct purebred lines widens the gene pool for a litter, which is one reason F1 crosses like the Teddy Bear puppy often turn out healthy and resilient. That said, it isn’t a guarantee, and it doesn’t erase conditions both parent breeds are already prone to.
The health issues to watch for in Teddy Bear dogs include luxating patella (a kneecap that slips out of alignment, common in small breeds generally), dental crowding from the small jaw inherited from the Shih Tzu, and occasional eye conditions. Ear infections can develop if ears aren’t kept clean and dry. Dental disease is the top preventable issue by far.
The Shih Tzu parent also contributes some brachycephalic traits. The shorter, flatter face can mean certain individual Teddy Bear dogs breathe more noisily in heat or when excited. Avoid strenuous exercise in high heat and make sure they have access to air conditioning during summer.
Longevity is one of this breed’s real strengths. A Teddy Bear puppy from health-tested parents, regularly vetted, well-fed, and given daily dental care can comfortably live 14 to 16 years.
Health at a Glance
- Wider gene pool from the F1 cross tends to support overall health
- Watch for: luxating patella, dental crowding
- Dental disease: daily brushing prevents most problems
- Eye conditions: wipe and monitor eyes daily
- Ear infections: keep ears clean and dry weekly
- Mild brachycephalic traits: avoid heat and heavy exercise in summer
- Lifespan: 12–16 years; some reach 17–18
- Health-tested parents mean a stronger long-term foundation
Our Standards & the Families Behind Our Teddy Bear Puppies
At Boundless Horizon Puppies, Dan and Melissa built our Teddy Bear puppy program around one standard: every puppy comes from a family home, never a kennel. We work with a small, carefully selected group of families who raise Teddy Bear puppies the way we require.
Every Teddy Bear puppy we place, no matter which family raised it, comes with the same guarantee, the same documentation, and the same standard of care behind it. That’s the only way we can stand behind what we sell.
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Health-Tested Parent Dogs
Both the sire and dam get a patella evaluation, a veterinary eye exam, a cardiac check, and a genetic panel covering conditions known in Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise lines before any breeding pair produces a litter for us. That’s the foundation of a meaningful health guarantee.
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ENS Protocol: Days 3 Through 16, Documented
Every Teddy Bear puppy completes the five-exercise Early Neurological Stimulation protocol, once daily from day 3 through day 16. We don’t work with families who skip it.
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Early Socialization During the Critical Window
Teddy Bear puppies are exposed during weeks 3 through 16 to a range of sounds, surfaces, handling, and human contact. We require documented socialization practices from every family in our program.
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Full Veterinary Certification Before Placement
Every Teddy Bear puppy has a vet-issued health certificate, current vaccinations and dewormings, a microchip registered in the buyer’s name, and 30 days of Trupanion pet insurance active before going home.
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2-Year Written Health Guarantee on Every Puppy
Every Teddy Bear puppy we place carries a 2-year written guarantee covering hereditary and congenital conditions. A guarantee without tested parents behind it isn’t a real guarantee, so we don’t offer those.
Teddy Bear Puppy Pricing
Based on coat color, markings, and parent lineage.
$200 refundable deposit holds your Teddy Bear puppy.
Nationwide delivery available • Free pick up in Millersburg, OH.
What Every Teddy Bear Puppy Includes
2-year written health guarantee • ENS training days 3–16 • Health-tested parents • Current vaccinations • Registered microchip • 30 days Trupanion pet insurance • Breed-specific care guide • Lifetime support from Dan and Melissa.
Ask About Teddy Bear AvailabilityIs a Teddy Bear Puppy the Right Dog for Your Home?
The most useful thing we can do is help you answer this honestly before you call. Not every family is the right match for a Teddy Bear puppy.
✓ A Good Match If…
- ✓Someone is home most of the day: a remote worker, a retiree, or a stay-at-home parent
- ✓You want a puppy that’s genuinely part of the family
- ✓You have children of any age and want a patient, gentle breed
- ✓You live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home without a yard
- ✓You or a family member has mild to moderate dog allergies
- ✓You’re a first-time dog owner who wants a trainable, responsive breed
- ✓You want a long-lived companion; 12 to 16 years is realistic for this breed
- ✓You already have other pets and want a breed that gets along with them
- ✓You want a small dog that’s quiet and even-tempered rather than high-strung
Think Carefully If…
- △Everyone leaves for 8+ hours most days and the puppy would be alone that whole time
- △You want an outdoor working dog, a long-distance hiking partner, or a guard dog
- △You have severe dog allergies; an in-person visit before committing matters here
- △You aren’t willing to commit to professional grooming every 4–6 weeks plus regular home brushing
- △You want a breed that’s self-sufficient and content with minimal interaction
- △You live somewhere with extreme summer heat and limited indoor air conditioning
- △You want perfectly predictable adult size every time; hybrid puppies have some natural variation
Not sure if a Teddy Bear puppy is the right fit? Call and tell us about your household. We’ll give you an honest read, including pointing you toward a different breed if that suits your situation better. (330) 238-8997
The History Behind Teddy Bear Puppies
Understanding the Teddy Bear puppy means tracing both the old lines behind its parents and the modern decision that brought them together.
The Shih Tzu: A Dog Bred for Royalty
Shih Tzu-type dogs lived with Chinese royalty throughout the Ming Dynasty, roughly 1368 to 1644, and court artists portrayed them on palace wall hangings for generations. They were palace dogs, companions of emperors bred for one goal: temperament. Calm, affectionate, and devoted. The breed’s Tibetan ancestors go back further still, but the Ming court is where the Shih Tzu as we know it took shape, and where the foundation of the Teddy Bear puppy’s patient personality comes from.
The Bichon Frise: From Trading Ship to Royal Court
Believed to have originated in the Mediterranean, the Bichon Frise arrived in Europe through Spanish and French traders and became a court favorite almost immediately. Like the Shih Tzu, it was bred for companionship. Unlike the Shih Tzu, its wider geographic history produced a more adaptable, hardier dog, and that hardiness shows up clearly in the Teddy Bear puppy’s constitution.
The Teddy Bear Puppy Is Born
The intentional cross of the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise began in the United States around the late 1990s. Breeders wanted to combine the Shih Tzu’s calm temperament with the Bichon’s low-shedding coat and adaptable, hardy build. The result picked up a few informal names: Shichon, Zuchon, and eventually Teddy Bear. That last one stuck, for obvious reasons, once people saw what these puppies looked like.
Rising Popularity and the Importance of Standards
Through the 2000s, demand for Teddy Bear puppies grew steadily as families found the cross delivered on what it promised. As popularity grew, so did the number of breeders producing them, and not all of those operations prioritized quality. Knowing what to look for, health testing, documented care practices, real guarantees, matters more today than ever.
Teddy Bear Puppy FAQ
Questions we get on almost every call about Teddy Bear puppies, answered plainly.
What is a Teddy Bear puppy?
A Teddy Bear puppy is a first-generation cross (F1) between a purebred Shih Tzu and a purebred Bichon Frise. The formal breed names are Shichon or Zuchon. Every Teddy Bear puppy we place at Boundless Horizon Puppies comes from a true F1 pairing, raised in a family home.
How big do Teddy Bear puppies get?
Adult Teddy Bear dogs typically reach 8 to 12 pounds and 9 to 12 inches at the shoulder. Occasionally a puppy from a larger breeding pair lands closer to 13 or 14 pounds, but 8 to 12 pounds is the honest expectation for most. Ask about the parent dogs’ individual weights when you inquire. That’s the best predictor of adult size we can give you.
Are Teddy Bear puppies hypoallergenic?
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Teddy Bear puppies shed very little, which cuts down on airborne dander quite a bit. Most families with mild to moderate dog allergies do fine with them. If your allergy is severe, spend time with an adult Teddy Bear dog in person before you commit to a puppy.
How long do Teddy Bear dogs live?
Teddy Bear dogs typically live 12 to 16 years. Dogs from health-tested parents, well cared for and given daily dental care, sometimes reach 17 or 18. Longevity is one of this breed’s real strengths.
Are Teddy Bear puppies good with kids?
Yes, and consistently so. Teddy Bear puppies are patient and gentle, a trait both parent breeds were bred for. They do well with children of all ages. Young kids should still learn correct small-dog handling: support the back legs, no grabbing from above.
Do Teddy Bears bark a lot?
Not typically. They’ll alert-bark at the door or at unfamiliar sounds, but they aren’t compulsive barkers the way some toy breeds are. A well-socialized Teddy Bear puppy raised in a busy household is usually one of the quieter small-dog options, which matters in condos and apartments with shared walls.
How much grooming does a Teddy Bear puppy actually require?
Professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks, plus brushing at home two to three times a week. The coat doesn’t shed, but it grows continuously and mats without regular upkeep. Take your puppy to the groomer around week 12, before it needs a full cut, so it gets comfortable with the equipment and handling early. Budget $50 to $75 per professional session in most areas, plus daily teeth brushing at home.
What does every Teddy Bear puppy from Boundless Horizon Puppies include?
A 2-year written health guarantee covering hereditary and congenital conditions, ENS training completed days 3 through 16, a vet-issued health certificate, current vaccinations and dewormings for age, a microchip registered in your name, and 30 days of Trupanion pet insurance active from day one. A $200 refundable deposit holds your puppy. Nationwide delivery is available. Call (330) 238-8997 for delivery pricing to your area, or pick up free in Millersburg, Ohio.
Can I meet my Teddy Bear puppy before buying?
Yes. Reserve with a fully refundable $200 deposit to hold your chosen puppy, then meet your puppy before the balance is due. If our description doesn’t match what you see, your deposit is fully refunded, no questions asked. Call or text us at (330) 238-8997 to set up a time.
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Real reviews from families who brought home a Teddy Bear puppy from Boundless Horizon Puppies
States We Serve
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Ready to Find Your Teddy Bear Puppy?
View what’s available right now, or call Dan and Melissa directly. We’ll tell you what Teddy Bear litters are coming, answer every question you have, and give you an honest read on whether a Teddy Bear puppy is the right fit for your household.