Bea Tzu Basics

The attention-loving Bea Tzu is an ideal combination of the fun yet feisty Shih Tzu and the affable, good-natured Beagle. This excellent family pet loves to do everything with his humans and packs a whole lot of personality into a pint-sized package.

The pint-sized Bea Tzu brings together the feisty personality of the Shih Tzu and the good-nature characteristics of the Beagle.

Origin

The Bea Tzu is the offspring of 2 well-established breeds; the Shih Tzu dates back to ancient Tibet and China while the Beagle was a popular hunting breed back in the 18th century. Today’s Bea Tzu likely surfaced just 30 years ago when breeders first began crossing two different breeds to arrive at what is considered a Designer Dog. The goal was to produce pups that carry desirable traits of popular breeds such as gentler personalities, smaller sizes and hypo-allergenic qualities. All in a dog free from the health issues that can often come with pure-breds.

Pedigree

Because the Bea Tzu is the offspring of two different pure-breds, he cannot be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) however both parent breeds are long-time members; the Beagle joined the “hound” group way back in 1885 while the Shih Tzu became a member of the “toy” group in 1969.

Food/Diet

The Bea Tzu is a medium-sized dog that is moderately active so needs a nutrient-rich kibble designed to meet his size, age and lower activity level. As this little dog can be prone to kidney and liver disease later in life, be pro-active and check in with your vet for a brand / variety that can help prevent these health problems down the line. As with most smaller dogs, dental issues can become an issue so plan to feed him only hard kibble and treats.

While the Bea Tzu is a high-energy little pooch, it doesn’t take a lot of activity to meet his needs.

Training

The Bea Tzu comes from two intelligent breeds however with the Shih Tzu’s infamous stubborn streak, expect training to require a little extra time and patience. Always use a firm, consistent approach and be sure to engage his attention with lots of praise and treats for a job well done versus scolding. House-training can be an issue with the Shih Tzu breed overall, so bring in the pro’s if you aren’t getting results.

Weight

The Bea Tzu will weigh in at just 15 to 25 pounds once he reaches adulthood.

Temperament/Behavior

The loving Bea Tzu is a true people-pleaser who enjoys nothing more than hanging out with his family and being the center of attention. He’s a playful, energetic pooch who is loyal, protective and ready to bark when he sees fit; making him great watchdog material. This affectionate dog has a big personality and gets along great with kids and other pets.

Common Health Problems

As a Designer Dog, your Bea Tzu will likely be exempt from many of the health issues that plague his parent breeds however it’s important to familiarize yourself with what your new pup could inherit. For the Bea Tzu, that can include kidney and liver disease as well as eye problems from the Beagle and the respiratory issues and dental problems associated with small, flat-faced breeds such as the Shih Tzu.

Life Expectancy

The Bea Tzu has a slightly shorter lifespan than most small dogs and can be expected to live for between 10 and 12 years.

Exercise Requirements

While the Bea Tzu is a high-energy little pooch, it doesn’t take a lot of activity to meet his needs. A daily walked couple with active indoor or outdoor playtime is ideal. Visits to the local dog park are a great way for him to socialize but he is a “busy” boy and loves to run and play so ensure it is fully fenced.

The Bea Tzu is a true people-pleaser who loves to hang out with his family.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Beazu and Shigle, the Bea Tzu is the offspring of 2 different pure-breds so doesn’t qualify for membership to the American Kennel Club (AKC) however he is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)

Coat

The Bea Tzu’s soft, silky coat is low- to non-shedding making him an ideal choice for those that don’t like constant vacuuming. In spite of this lack of loose hair, he’ll still need brushing several times a week to keep his coat from becoming matted or tangled. The hair around his face is longer and grows quite quickly so a trip to the professional groomers will be needed to keep it clean and tidy with weekly ear inspection and cleaning a must to avoid infections that can come with floppy eared dogs.

Puppies

The Bea Tzu puppy can grow into a stubborn little dog that can become overly protective of his family, so ensure socialization starts at a young age and that pack leadership is established from the onset. As with any young puppy, care should be taken when he is being handled to avoid injury to joints and tiny limbs.

Photo credit: ratree2499/Shutterstock; Rattiya Thongdumhyu/Shutterstock; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock