General Business Blog

Shih Tzu Mixed Breeds

Hybrid dogs, or “designer dogs,” result from the mix of two or more pure breeds. Though the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize cross breeds or allow mixed breeds to participate in competition, The American Canine Hybrid Club has been formed in support of hybrids. There are now over a one hundred recognized hybrid dogs.

Though purebred dogs are still popular, hybrid dogs, or mixtures of one or more breeds, are also gaining attention. Hybrids often have resulting cute-sounding names in addition to being cute-looking new versions of dogs. Examples of hybrids are: the Shi-Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle), Cock-A-Chon (Bichon Frise/ Cocker Spaniel) and Beabull (Beagle/Bull Dog). Hybrids have characteristics of both parents and this may add to the overall health and beauty of the end result.

Thus, this breed is often utilized in the hopes of retaining its non-allergy causing genetics. The Bichon Shih Tzu, or Zuchon, is one example of a Bichon hybrid. It is important to note that hybrids are not pure breeds. They are a mix of one of more breeds. Mixed breeds are usually referred to as “mutts,” but hybrids are different than mutts because both parents have documented ancestry.

The two pure breeds, Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise, have positive and negative traits. The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy dog with a double coat of long silky fur. This breed is very alert and intelligent, and also very stubborn. Shih Tzu may have health problems such as frequent eye infections, inability to withstand high temperatures, and fur that is prone to matting and tangling if not either brushed daily or given a “pet clip”, which is a short haircut done only if the dog is not in competition.

Bichon Shih Tzu, often called Zuchon or Shichon, are a mixture of the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu. These hybrids may any of the qualities- good or bad- of both breeds. Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise are two of the oldest dog breeds in the world. While they are both known for having many attractive traits, these two breeds are most likely bred to retain to intelligence of the Shih Tzu and the hypoallergenic coat of the Bichon Frise. Hybrids are also thought to have fewer health problems and other defects than pure breeds due to the fact that hybrids are not the result of inbreeding.

Bichon Shih Tzudogs are the hybrid of two breeds with a long and documented history. It is no surprise that there are fans of both breeds that may wish to have the qualities of both in one dog. The Shih Tzu is thought to have descended from cross breeding of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. The dogs of Tibetan monks, Shih Tzu originated in China and may date back 2000 years.

Ancestors of the Bichon Frise date back to 600 B.C. Once called Barbichon, this was later shortened to Bichon. The French added “Frise” which references the breed’s curly fur. The Bichon was not recognized by the French Kennel Club until 1934 and gained official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1973.

It is no surprise that there are fans of both breeds that may wish to have the lineage and other qualities of both in one dog. It may be possible that the hybrid of these two remarkable breeds one day gains recognition as a pure breed by the American Kennel Association.

The Boston Terrier: An All American

The Boston Terrier, nicknamed The American Gentleman, is the first dog breed to be developed in America. They were bred specifically to be companion dogs to human beings. However, their ancestors were fighting dogs, including their original type of the rare breed the Olde English Bulldogges. This ancient breed was thought to have been created from crossing the English Bulldog and the long-gone English White Terrier.

This is not as crazy as it might first sound. Many breeds of dogs that are vicious to other dogs are very protective and loving to people. Often, gentleness to people was favored in dog fighting dog breeds such as the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the original Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It seems that if the fighting dogs can’t get their companionship from other dogs, they’ll turn to people for company. Over time, the Olde English Bulldogge was bred smaller, with a different shaped head and even gentler personality to become the Boston Terrier.

There were dogs already in North America living with the Native Americans, but they were not the kind of dogs the European colonists were used to. Also, the Native American dogs were still half-wild and independent. The young country of America, although proud of their American-ness, also yearned for some of the comforts of the old country. One of these comforts was for a companion dog based on Bulldog stock.

Bulldogs, although developed for fighting bulls and other dogs, are incredibly friendly with people. This is probably because they turned to people as their pack members instead of other dogs. This is a trait in many Bulldog varieties, including the French Bulldog and English Bulldog, which were used in the Boston Terrier’s creation. One of the old names of the Boston Terrier was the Boston Bull. Recently, bull in a breed name has gotten a bad reputation so the Bull part has been replaced by Terrier.

The Boston dog breeders first developed the Old English Bulldogge, which is a far larger dog of solid colors and a round head. The founding father of the Boston Terrier is considered to be the English import Hooper’s Judge, which was bought by Richard C. Hooper of Boston in 1870.

Smaller dogs were favored and kept in the breeding program. The Boston Terrier became a familiar sight in the fashionable homes of the North East as early as 1889.

The breed was considered highly desirable by anyone with a bit of money by 1889. By 1893, the Boston Terrier was a recognized breed in the American Kennel Club. In 1870, the first Boston Terrier was allowed to show. The first breed standard to be passed that made the Boston Terrier as we know him today was drafted in 1900.

Despite all of the generations of fighting dogs in him, a Boston Terrier is more inclined to run away than pick a fight.

How To Choose A Whole House Air Purifier

If you have radon, a whole house air purifier is the only way to protect your family. Radon seeps in through your crawl space or basement. It is found naturally in soil and in rock in certain areas. But, there is only one way to know if you have radon. Contact your state and ask for a free testing kit. Most states have them. If the test is positive, it is critical that you buy an air purifier. You can be certain that a whole house air purifier is your only defense in the battle against radon.

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses, breathing polluted air on a regular basis can be painful or even cause further degradation of health. Even those who are otherwise in good health can develop health problems over time. One way to avoid this type of debilitating illness is installing an air purification system in your home.

The whole house air purifier does, however, have its critics, as some experts feel that one whole house air cleaner does not possess sufficient cleaning power to remove airborne dust and particles from around your whole home. Some estimate that as little as thirty percent of your household air will even pass through the whole house air cleaner, leaving a full seventy percent of the air in your home unclean.

Other air purifiers can also remove radon from inside your home. They can remove radon from upper floors. These air purifier systems can have an optional filter installed that remove the radon gas and clean the air of other contaminants. If you have a problem with dust, mold, or mildew, these whole house air purifier systems can eliminate those problems while also protecting you from radon.

After your whole house air purifier has been installed, not only will you breathe clean, fresh air, but you’ll also feel much healthier. With only a little required maintenance and a filter change every few months, a whole house air purifier will certainly provide you and your household with a convenient and aesthetically pleasing option to purifying your home’s air.