Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix, a small-sized hybrid dog that has resulted from crossing the English Bulldog with the Shih Tzu, is a loyal, enthusiastic, entertaining breed with a tad of a mischievous streak. The differing traits of two purebred parents also make it difficult to predict the Bulldog Shih Tzu mix’s temperament accurately. They may be sensitive to discipline and training, but Bull Tzus does wonderfully when left alone for a short duration. They get along with everyone in your family, from small kids to other pets and outsiders. Unfortunately, these hybrids tend to become obese, so proper exercise is essential. However, if you’re getting a small pup with many qualities that will make a wonderfully well-rounded family companion, then the Bulldog Shih Tzu is an ideal option for you. Remember that Bull Tzu can be challenging to train due to a stubborn streak, so be ready for a challenge if you are a novice owner.
Bull Tzu will be an active, intelligent hybrid that requires an active dog owner due to its unique parentage. These pups are ideal for apartment dwellers, as they are a tiny breed and can satisfy their daily exercise necessities even without a yard. With proper training and early socialization, Bull Tzu is an adaptable pet who will quickly get along with anyone and flourish in almost any living condition.
Table of Contents
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Excellent companion dogs
Prone to genetic health issues
Less exercise
Weight gaining tendencies
Very trainable
It cannot be left outside for long periods
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Basic information
Name: Bulldog Shih Tzu
Height: 10 – 12 inches
Weight: 20 – 30 pounds
Size: Small
Color: Black, white, golden, brown, cream, fawn, brindle, red
Bulldog Shih Tzu mixes are known for the following personalities:
Smart and affectionate
Playful and intelligent
Agile and loyal
Friendly and outgoing
People-pleasing
The Bull Tzu is a small hybrid generally stands between 10 to 12 inches high and weighs around 20 to 30 pounds. They have long faces, long legs, and a snout-like Bulldog lineage and are agile and solid. Their coat can resemble either parent, with the most typical colors: black, white, golden, brown, cream, fawn, brindle, and red. Bull Tzus love to dig so that they may turn your backyard into a facsimile of the moon with mini craters.
Bull Tzu will have a shaggy coat, short snouts,upright, widely set ears, dark brown eyes, long muzzle, and flat skull. Their coat may be long or short, silky or dense, depending on the parental gene. Their parents’ intense gaze, the Bull Tzu has cautious and unique eyes that express volumes that they won’t hesitate to unleash their power.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
Medium to high
Pet-Friendly
Medium
Strangers-Friendly
Medium to high
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Medium
Good for Apartment Living
High
Sensitivity Level
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Medium
Cold Tolerance
Low to medium
Heat Tolerance
Low to medium
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Temperament
Bulldog Shih Tzu mixes are known for the following temperaments:
Loving and intelligent
Energetic and affectionate
Calm and excitable
Eager to please
Quick learner
Watchful and caring
Playful and confident
Bulldog Shih Tzu mixes have a delicate personality but are also very alert, brave, and protective of their family. They are excellent around kids and tolerant of poking and prodding them. The temperament and low exercise requirements of Bully Tzu can be an ideal match for senior citizens. These affectionate breeds love to have fun, play the lapdog role, cuddle your worries away, and are very good at expressing their love for human companionship. Unfortunately, they also have a sluggish, couch potato side which you must discourage to prevent health disorders like obesity.
Bull Tzus are very protective despite their stubborn streak and have exceptional watchdog skills. They respond well to training, exercise, and early socializing benefits. They are gentle and responsive; still, you must ensure not to hit or scold as these designer hybrids are sensitive and easily offended. They should inherit a laid-back trait from their parents. However, the Shih Tzu lineage manages to be snippy with outsiders and defensive in new conditions. Therefore, early socialization and proper training with firm, positive reinforcement works wonders on these breeds. Bulldog Shih Tzu may not adapt to extreme hot and cold temperatures because of its brachycephalic structure. Therefore, you will have to be alert to symptoms of it overheating.
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Training
Training Bulldog Shih Tzu mix might be challenging due to their independent trait. Thus, pet parents should be patient, solid, and consistent enough during training sessions. However, Bull Tzus responds well to commands, instructions, and positive reinforcement. Being a susceptible hybrid, you must avoid yelling, punishments, and harsh treatment, possibly making them more stubborn. Also, both the parent breeds have a brachycephalic face shape. You mustn’t exercise them too much in hot temperatures. This can cause them to overheat, leading to difficulty in breathing.
Here are some of the training activities that you need to do with your Bull Tzus:
The English Bulldog is an exciting active breed, whereas Shih Tzu is a chilled-out, low-energy lapdog. Hence, exercise needs should be short and structured. Make sure not to make them overwork during the sessions and exhaust, so maintain moderate sessions. A Bull Tzu mix should be kept cool indoors on hot, humid days as this exacerbates breathing issues. Therefore, exercise them for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day to keep them healthy and maintain their energy. However, routine exercise is necessary to avoid obesity and other adverse health issues.
You can meet your Bull Tzu’s daily exercise requirements by:
The grooming requirements of the Bulldog Shih Tzu mix to depend on the type of coat they inherit. The medium-length coat will be long or silky depending on the dominant Bulldog or Shih Tzu gene. Due to these genetics, some Bull Tzus are hypoallergenic while some are not. Canines backcrossed with Shih Tzus are likely to get curly, hypoallergenic coats. Irrespective of the coat type, you regularly need to brush your dog’s coat two to three times a week.
Brush at least two to three times a week, preferably once a day, if they inherit a longer coat.
Bulldog Shih Tzus are exposed to health problems common to their parents. It is essential to be aware that both the Bulldog and the Shih Tzu have flat or brachycephalic faces, exposing them to many health disorders. Hence, routine health check-ups are crucial to recognize and cure potential health conditions.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities
High
Size
Small
Brachycephalic Syndrome: A disorder prevalent in canines with short muzzles is inclined to the brachycephalic syndrome. In puppies with brachycephalic syndrome, nostrils will be restricted, blocking the airways. The blockage can vary from difficult breathing too loud or total block in breathing.
Juvenile Renal Dysplasia: A congenital condition in which the kidneys are dysfunctional. Sadly, there are no tests to cure this disease; it can be identified with the below signs:
Vomiting
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Weight loss
Lethargy
Pulmonic Stenosis: Pulmonic stenosis is the most frequent genetic cardiac condition in canines. A distortion of the Pulmonic valve drives it and blocks the blood flow from the heart to the lungs.
Eye Issues: Bulldog Shih Tzus are predisposed to these eye conditions:
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
Entropion
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Eyelid mass
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Corneal damage
Bladder Stones (Hyperuricosuria): A hereditary condition affecting the dog’s ability to process uric acid. The disease is caused either by hereditary or by diet. Since a Bulldog Shih Tzu can develop any of the issues mentioned above, it would be good to get the parents of your very own Bulldog Shih Tzu health screened for any possible health deficiencies.
Lung Disorder: Due to Bulldog Shih Tzu’s short muzzle, small-sized canines may suffer from lung issues, especially breathing.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): Airway obstruction is familiar in Bulldog Shih Tzus, who inherit the brachycephalic characteristics of the Bulldog parent breed. The difficulty breathing and obstruction are worst when the canine is active and in a hot climate.
Dental Issues: Dental conditions like gum inflammation, tartar build-up, bleeding gums, bad breath, and cavities are familiar in Bulldog Shih Tzus. Regular teeth brushing can control gum diseases, oral infections, and other dental problems.
Allergies: In canines, there are many different types of allergies; food allergies, skin allergies, and environmental allergens all pose issues for dogs and their owners, and to make matters worse, the signs of all of these allergies often overlap. The following are the signs of allergies in dogs:
Itchiness
Hives
Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
Red, inflamed skin
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Sneezing
Itchy ears
Chronic ear infections
Itchy, runny eyes
Constant licking
Obesity: The Bulldog Shih Tzu mix is predisposed to developing obesity. As a result of genetics, their exercise restrictions are imposed for their safety and vast appetite. A balanced and healthy diet is the best way to control this condition.
Eye Diseases: The Bulldog Shih Tzu mixes large eyes protruding from the eye sockets, exposing them to trauma, dryness, and cornea irritation. Also, they likely develop eye disorders like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy marked by progressive worsening of eyesight.
Intervertebral Disc Disease: If Bulldog Shih Tzu inherits the longer back of their Shih Tzu parent breed, the offspring are predisposed to IVDD. Owners can lessen the risk of this disorder by maintaining their puppies slim, avoiding big jumps, and using a harness than a neck lead.
Hip Dysplasia: A congenital joint disease caused when the bones of the rear legs fail to fit accurately in the joints. This can be destructive and painful, but only some canines show visible signs.
Elbow Dysplasia: An inherent structural weakness in the elbow joints due to cartilage inflammation, damage, or disrupted anconeal is Elbow dysplasia. It is familiar in small breed dogs, resulting in arthritis leading to pain or organ malfunction.
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Diet and Nutrition
Bulldog Shih Tzu mix needs protein-dense, high-quality food with essential nutrients, including meat, fruits, grains, and vegetables. However, they are prone to becoming obese, so compensate their treats with a proper diet to maintain weight.
Bulldog Shih Tzu needs one cup of high-quality dog food a day, split into smaller meals throughout the day, considering their age and size. Since they are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, enhance their diet with chondroitin, glucosamine, and fish oil.
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Living Conditions
A Bulldog Shih Tzu cannot stand extreme hot and humid areas because its short muzzle won’t cool down the hot air correctly. They are not suited for excess cold temperatures either. However, they can adapt well to apartment living, and a backyard is not essential. They need a family of love and endurance. Yet, punitive measures and offensive behaviors are not recommended.
Adding a Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix to Your Family
Things To Remember Before Breeding
While getting a Bulldog Shih Tzu mix puppy, remember to get him from a reputed breeder who would provide you with medical certifications like vaccination certificates, gene testing certificates, and deworming history. The dog breeder should also take you to the parent breeds to ensure the puppy’s lineage and health.
Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Puppy Cost
A Bulldog Shih Tzu mix will cost you about $3000 – $5000, not including miscellaneous costs.
