Bully-Tzu Overview
Bully-Tzu Characteristics
About The Bully-Tzu
What Is A Bulldog Shih Tzu Mix Called?
The offspring between a Bulldog and a Shih Tzu is called a Bully-Tzu. There’s not too much information on this uncommon designer breed, so we need to look to the parent breeds to learn more about them.
The Bulldog is one of the more misunderstood breeds, due to their past role as bull baiters. However, they’ve now become lovable companion dogs, and they’re one of the most trusting dogs out there.
If you want to learn more about the Bulldog Shih Tzu mix, keep reading.
Bully-Tzu Breed History
Thought to have been bred in the 90s to 00s.
Bulldogs have come a long way since their bull-baiting past.
Shih Tzus were considered royal dogs in Tibet.
The Bully-Tzu doesn’t have much history documented as it is one of the less popular mixed breeds. However, if we were to look at the pattern emerging from designer breeds, we would say the Bully-Tzu was likely first intentionally bred in the 1990s or 2000s, in North America.
The parent breeds have a much richer history, with the Bulldog being first developed in the 13th century as a working dog. They had many uses, including bull baiting. This gives them a bad reputation for being aggressive, but this is not the case anymore.
Bulldogs have developed into couch potatoes, happiest when curled up with their owners rather than antagonizing any other animal.
The Shih Tzu first originated in Tibet, originally known as the Lion Dog. Experts have found this breed in artwork dating back as far as the 16th century, depicted as a royal companion dog.
They were kept only in China until the 1930s, when they were finally allowed to be exported.
Bully-Tzu Personality & Temperament
Friendly companion dogs.
Loves a cuddle.
Can suffer from separation anxiety.
The best way to describe a Bully-Tzu is to say that they are inquisitive. They’re happy and mostly easy-going, and they’re very kind to anyone they meet. This is helped through early socialization, so don’t sleep on the dog park!
Bully-Tzus are intelligent, although they can sometimes inherit the slight aloofness of their Bulldog parent.
But is the Bully-Tzu right for you? They fit well into most families. They love cuddling and being around their owner, so they’ll need someone with lots of free time.
They tend to suffer from separation anxiety, so you’ll either need to be home most of the day or pay someone to check in on them.
Training these dogs is usually simple enough, but they will benefit from a firm hand. More on this later!
Bully-Tzu Health
Life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.
Look out for possible allergens.
Suffer from many joint ailments.
As a whole, Bully-Tzus are healthy dogs. Mixed breeding limits the worry of purebred health issues, which is music to any owner’s ears. However, this doesn’t mean that the Bully-Tzu is exempt from any health concerns usually inherited from the parent breeds.
The major concerns for this mixed breed include Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Reverse Sneezing, and Entropion.
As a few of these issues include their joints, you should be careful not getting them to run too much. A brisk walk is best for this breed.
Other health concerns include allergies, so be mindful of allergens – whether they’re in your home, outside, or in their food.
Routine vet checkups will help to prevent any health concerns your Bully-Tzu develops as much as possible. Early diagnosis is pivotal in quick treatment, and these checkups are the best way to ensure this.
Bully-Tzu Training
Prefer to relax rather than train.
Positive reinforcement is the way to go.
Keep training sessions short and fun.
Bully-Tzus are people pleasers and there’s nothing they love more than a head rub and some positive words from their owner. For this reason, positive reinforcement works very well.
Negative reinforcement will be taken to heart and your Bully-Tzu won’t forget it, which can make them upset.
Bully-Tzus don’t like moving as much as other dogs, so you might find that they are resistant to training because they’d rather be sitting on the couch.
Coax them out with a few treats and keep training short and snappy. This might make results slower, but you’ll get there with patience.
Bully-Tzu Exercise Requirements
Prefer to relax rather than train.
Positive reinforcement is the way to go.
Keep training sessions short and fun.
The Bully-Tzu isn’t a very active dog – they prefer sleeping and resting to running around. They can be considered a low exercise needs dog, which is great for anyone who works a long (work from home) job.
While the Bully-Tzu might not want to go out and exercise, it’s important that you coax them out once a day for a walk of at least 20 minutes.
Be mindful not to overexert a Bully-Tzu, as they have difficulty breathing. Their squished face (correct term – brachycephalic facial structure) makes it difficult for them to get enough oxygen in the first place, let alone after completing lots of exercises.
Bully-Tzus are also prone to joint ailments, so running is out of the question. Take them on a 20-minute walk daily, and spend the rest of the day playing or cuddling.
They are suitable for apartment living due to their lack of exercise needs, although their size might make them too cumbersome for small spaces.
Bully-Tzu Diet & Feeding
Bully-Tzus eat a lot of food.
Be careful not to overfeed them compared to their weight.
Choose food formulated for medium dogs.
Bully-Tzus eat a lot of food considering their medium build. They are low energy needs dogs, though, so it is imperative that you don’t overfeed them.
Overfeeding them without offering a way for them to burn the excess calories off will lead to obesity, which can offer a number of new health issues.
Since the Bully-Tzu isn’t a high-energy dog, they don’t need much protein in their diet. Look for food formulated for medium dogs.
Smaller dogs tend to suffer from more periodontal diseases, which can weaken teeth. Choosing low-quality kibble can be too hard on these fragile teeth, so high-quality food should be the only option.
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Bully-Tzu Cost
Costs between $800 and $1,500.
Always choose a reputable breeder!
Ongoing costs include food, shelter, and vet bills.
Despite the fact that Bully-Tzus are one of the less favorable designer breeds, they’re still expensive. Expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 for these dogs. This high price point might be down to their Shih Tzu parent, or their fewer health risks.
Either way, make sure you choose a reputable breeder who will be honest with you about your new dog and its health.
Ongoing costs include lots of food, sturdy toys, vet bills, and insurance costs.
