Crested Tzu
Hybrid Breed Description
The Crested Tzu is a cross between the Chinese Crested and the Shih Tzu. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Crested Tzu. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a fine-boned, elegant toy breed standing between eleven and thirteen inches tall and weighing eight to twelve pounds. Both males and females share similar dimensions, creating a compact yet graceful companion. The breed exhibits a distinctive appearance that immediately catches the eye, characterized by its delicate bone structure and fluid, self-assured movements. Their slightly rounded heads feature carved cheeks, pointed muzzles with Poodle-like faces, and almond-shaped eyes that are wide-set and offer an attentive expression. Large, erect ears sit high on the skull, often adorned with hair plumage at the tips. Two distinct varieties exist within the breed: the Hairless and the Powderpuff. The Hairless variety showcases smooth, soft skin that feels remarkably human-like, accented by silky tufts of hair on specific areas - the head (called a crest), feet (socks), and tail (plume). This variety's skin can display various colors including apricot, black, chocolate, white, silver, pink, and red, often with white or palomino markings. The Powderpuff variety, by contrast, features a complete double coat of long, soft, straight hair that covers the entire body. When fully grown out, this coat resembles that of a traditional spaniel, though many owners choose to keep it trimmed for easier maintenance. Both varieties share the breed's characteristic wedge-shaped head with a slightly arched topskull when viewed from the front, though appearing flat in profile. Their narrow, elongated feet are almost rabbit-like in appearance with close-toed formation. The neck is thin and slightly arched, while the slender tail tapers into a graceful curve. This combination of features creates an overall impression of refinement and elegance, with the breed's delicate proportions belying their surprisingly athletic capabilities and competitive spirit in dog sports.
Key Characteristics
The Chinese Crested possesses a charming, lively temperament that combines affection with intelligence. These dogs form incredibly strong bonds with their families, often attaching themselves particularly closely to one person whom they follow devotedly. Their sensitive and emotionally intuitive nature means they quickly pick up on their owner's moods and feelings, making them exceptional companion animals. Despite their small size, they carry themselves with confidence and exhibit a feisty, attentive personality that reflects their alert watchdog heritage. While generally sweet-natured and friendly, they can be naturally suspicious of strangers and require early socialization to develop well-rounded temperaments. These dogs demonstrate high intelligence and eagerness to please, which makes training relatively straightforward when approached with patience and positive reinforcement. However, their sensitive nature means they respond poorly to harsh correction or scolding, which can irreparably damage the human-dog relationship. They excel in various dog sports including agility, flyball, and obedience training, showing remarkable competitiveness for their size. Their athletic abilities surprise many observers, as they can jump surprisingly high fences and demonstrate impressive physical capabilities. Mental stimulation is essential for this breed, as their active minds require regular challenges to prevent boredom. The breed's social nature means they thrive on human interaction and do not tolerate being left alone for extended periods well. They crave attention and physical contact, earning them the nickname "Velcro dog" for their tendency to stick close to their owners. While they can be vocal at times and enjoy digging, proper training from an early age helps manage these behaviors. Chinese Cresteds typically get along well with other pets and children when properly socialized, though supervision is always recommended due to their delicate size. Their playful, curious nature combined with their devotion makes them delightful family companions who genuinely want to be involved in all household activities.
Chinese Cresteds are generally healthy dogs with an impressive lifespan of thirteen to eighteen years, though they face some breed-specific health concerns. The Hairless variety requires particular attention to skin care, as exposed skin is susceptible to sunburn, dryness, blackheads, and various skin infections. Regular application of dog-safe sunscreen, moisturizers, and protective clothing helps prevent these issues, while frequent bathing maintains healthy skin. Both varieties can develop eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy, primary lens luxation, dry eye, and persistent pupillary membrane, making regular veterinary eye examinations essential for early detection and treatment. Dental health presents a significant concern, particularly in the Hairless variety. The hairless gene is linked to dental development, often resulting in missing teeth, irregular dentition with short roots, primitive mouth structure where all teeth are pointy like canines, and early tooth loss. Daily tooth brushing and regular dental cleanings help preserve remaining teeth for as long as possible. The Powderpuff variety typically maintains normal, full dentition. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of position, commonly affects this breed and can cause a skipping or bunny-hopping gait. Treatment ranges from anti-inflammatory medications and joint supplements for mild cases to surgical correction for severe instances. Additional health concerns include hip dysplasia, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease affecting the hip joint, and various genetic conditions such as Canine Multiple Systems Degeneration, which progressively affects motor skills. Some individuals may be born deaf, requiring special training adaptations using hand signals. The breed's small size makes them vulnerable to injury from rough handling or falls, particularly as they age. Regular veterinary checkups enable early detection and management of potential issues. Maintaining appropriate weight, providing moderate exercise without overheating, and ensuring proper grooming routines all contribute to longevity. Despite these concerns, responsible breeding practices and attentive care allow many Chinese Cresteds to enjoy long, healthy lives as cherished family companions.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy small dog standing eight to eleven inches tall and weighing nine to sixteen pounds, with no significant size differences between males and females. Despite their compact size, these dogs possess a solid, robust build that feels substantial and conveys strength beneath their luxurious coat. The breed matures quickly, reaching adult size by approximately ten months. Their body is slightly longer than tall, creating a well-proportioned rectangular silhouette with good substance and a notably large head relative to body size. The breed's most striking feature is its lion-like appearance, reflected in the name "Shih Tzu" which translates to "lion dog" in Mandarin. The head is rounded and broad with a distinctively flat face characteristic of brachycephalic breeds. Large, dark, prominent eyes are set wide apart, creating an alert, expressive appearance that seems almost human-like in emotional range. The short muzzle ends in a small nose, and a pronounced underbite is a required breed standard feature. Small, floppy heart-shaped ears hang close to the skull, covered in long flowing hair that blends seamlessly with the body coat. The tail is carried gaily curled over the back, heavily feathered with long straight fringe that adds to the breed's ornamental appearance. This carriage contributes to their characteristic proud, regal bearing during movement. The Shih Tzu's crowning glory is its luxuriant double coat consisting of a long, flowing, silky outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. This coat grows continuously and can reach impressive lengths if left untrimmed, often sweeping the ground. Colors vary widely and all are equally acceptable, including gold, red, black, white, silver, cream, brindle, liver, blue, and various combinations with white markings or parti-colors. Daily brushing is essential to prevent the coat from tangling and matting, with many pet owners choosing to keep their dogs in shorter "puppy clips" for easier maintenance. The gait is long and swift for such a small dog, with fluid movement that maintains their dignified demeanor. The overall impression is one of a small but substantial companion dog with an undeniable aristocratic heritage.
Key Characteristics
The Shih Tzu possesses an enormously appealing, friendly temperament that makes them nearly impossible to ignore. These dogs were bred exclusively as companion animals, and they excel at this role with natural charm and sociability. They are outgoing, affectionate, and good-natured, actively seeking interaction with people of all ages and genuinely enjoying meeting both friends and strangers alike. Their adaptable personality allows them to thrive in various living situations from city apartments to country estates, as they simply want to be with their people regardless of location. This breed forms strong bonds with family members and demonstrates loyalty, though they typically show less tendency toward single-person attachment than some toy breeds. Intelligent and eager to please, Shih Tzus respond well to positive reinforcement training, though they can display a stubborn streak that requires patience and consistency from owners. They love learning tricks and showing off for attention and praise, making them surprisingly trainable despite occasional selective hearing. Their alert nature means they will bark to announce visitors or unusual occurrences, fulfilling their historical role as miniature alarm systems in imperial Chinese courts, though excessive barking is not typical of the breed. Early socialization helps ensure they develop confident, well-rounded temperaments and get along harmoniously with other pets and children. They generally coexist peacefully with other animals and show gentle, patient behavior around respectful children, though their small size requires supervision during play. Their playful, sometimes mischievous character brings laughter and entertainment to households, as they enjoy games and activities with moderate energy levels. Unlike high-drive working breeds, Shih Tzus are content with relatively short walks and indoor playtime, making them suitable for less active owners or those with mobility limitations. They do not tolerate being left alone well and can develop separation anxiety if isolated for extended periods, as their primary purpose centers on human companionship. While not particularly athletic or fond of strenuous exercise, they do enjoy moderate activity and can surprise owners with their agility in play. Their sweet disposition, combined with adaptability and genuine love of people, makes them excellent therapy dogs and beloved family companions who simply want to share life with their humans.
Shih Tzus typically live ten to eighteen years with a median lifespan around twelve to thirteen years, though they face several health challenges primarily related to their brachycephalic structure. Brachycephalic airway syndrome, caused by their flat faces, results in narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palates, and sometimes everted laryngeal saccules, leading to noisy breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance, and dangerous vulnerability to overheating and heatstroke. These dogs struggle to regulate body temperature and require careful monitoring in hot, humid weather with outdoor activities restricted during warm periods. Their prominent eyes in shallow sockets predispose them to multiple ocular conditions including corneal ulcers, cherry eye, proptosis, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy leading to blindness, and dry eye, all requiring prompt veterinary attention. Dental disease affects Shih Tzus more severely than most breeds due to their small mouths and crowded teeth alignment. Periodontal disease causes inflammation, infection, tooth loss, and potential systemic bacterial infections affecting kidneys and heart if untreated. Malocclusion from misaligned teeth, commonly presenting as underbites, can cause chewing difficulties and soft tissue trauma. Daily tooth brushing combined with professional cleanings helps maintain oral health and prevent complications. Ear infections occur frequently because hair grows in their ear canals, trapping moisture and debris that create ideal conditions for bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Regular ear cleaning and plucking of ear hair help prevent these painful infections. Other significant concerns include intervertebral disc disease caused by their long backs and short legs, potentially resulting in severe pain, weakness, or paralysis requiring immediate treatment. Patellar luxation affects their knees, causing discomfort and altered gait that may need surgical correction. Portosystemic shunt, a liver disorder where blood abnormally bypasses the liver, causes toxin buildup leading to stunted growth, seizures, and behavioral changes requiring surgical intervention. Hip dysplasia, collapsing trachea in senior dogs, and various bladder stones occur with increased frequency. Skin conditions including allergies and infections can develop in their thick coats if grooming is inadequate. Obesity presents serious risks as Shih Tzus easily gain weight, exacerbating breathing problems, joint stress, and overall health. Regular veterinary care, appropriate weight management, careful grooming, and avoiding heat exposure help these cherished companions live long, healthy lives.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Crested Tzu may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Chinese Crested and Shih Tzu to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.