Papastzu Basics

The remarkably laid-back little Papastzu is a fun combo of the friendly yet bossy Papillon and the confident and curious Shih Tzu. This wonderful family pooch gets along well with kids, pets and other dogs. Because he isn’t as “vocal” as his parent breeds, this little guy is a great fit for apartment living.

The laid-back Papastzu brings together the bossy Papillon and the confident Shih Tzu for a fun family dog.

Origin

The Papastzu is the offspring of the “butterfly” dog or Papillon which is thought to date back to Italy in the 1500s while the “chrysanthemum” dog or Shih Tzu can be traced to Tibet in the 800’s. In spite of a lengthy history, the Papastzu himself likely dates back to the early 2000s. Breeders cross pure-bred dogs to produce pups that are free from many of the health issues of their pure-bred parents and that carry desirable traits such as gentler personalities, smaller sizes and hypo-allergenic qualities.

Pedigree

While the Papastzu’s Designer Dog status means he isn’t eligible to join the American Kennel Club (AKC) roster of pure-bred dogs, both parent breeds are members in good standing; the Shih Tzu joined the “toy” group back in 1969 while the Papillon was named to the same group way back in 1915.

Food/Diet

The Papastzu’s small size and moderate activity levels will require a nutrient-rich kibble that is specifically designed to meet his age, size and energy levels. Because he can be prone to joint issues later in life and does have a tendency to gain weight easily, plan to feed him 2 to 3 small meals versus free-feeding and opt for a kibble that is low in fillers / carbs that may cause him to overeat to feel full.

The Papastzu is confident, playful, loving and highly intelligent.

Training

The Papastzu’s eager-to-please personality and high level of intelligence makes him quick to pick up commands and a fairly easy dog to train. Because he comes from breeds that can be headstrong, patience will still be required along with a firm, consistent approach and loads of praise and rewards for a job well done.

Weight

Once grown, the Papastzu will weigh between 9 and 15 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Papastzu is a friendly, affectionate little dog that in spite of possessing the spunky, independent nature of both parent breeds, is a more chill dog. He gets along well with everyone including kids, other pets and strangers and because he is less yappy than the Shih Tzu or Papillon, he makes a great apartment pet – but a poor watchdog. He is confident, playful, loving and highly intelligent but because he bonds so closely with his family, he doesn’t necessarily do well when left on his own for long periods of time.

Common Health Problems

The Papastzu is typically a healthy dog with no known medical issues specific to his breed however as with any Designer Dog, he can inherit problems from his pure-bred parents and for the Papastzu that can include joint issues including patellar luxation, hypoglycemia and eye problems.

Life Expectancy

Your Papastzu will have a long life of between 12 and 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Papastzu delivers high energy in a small dog body so while he will require regular exercise, it won’t be excessive. A couple of short daily walks along with interactive indoor or outdoor playtime will be enough to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. As a super friendly dog, visits to an off-leash park are a great addition to his exercise regimen.

The friendly, easy-going Papastzu gets along with kids, pets and other animals.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Papi Tzu, the Papastzu isn’t a member of the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by Designer Breed Registry (DBR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

Although the Papastzu is a low- to moderate-shedding dog, his long, straight coat will require a quick daily brush to keep it matt and tangle-free. This pooch should only be bathed as needed in order to preserve natural oils and prevent dry skin. As he will likely inherit the big beautiful ears of the Papillon, be sure to inspect and clean weekly to avoid infection and because smaller dogs can be particularly prone to dental issues, teeth should be brushed 1 to 2 times per week.

Puppies

Papastzu puppies are naturally friendly and unlike many small dog breeds, they are a quick study when it comes to house-training. Early socialization for any dog is important to bring out the best in him and while leash training and activity are important, don’t overdo it – this little guy can be prone to joint issues and injury as a pup can present serious problems later in life.

Photo credit: world of vector/Shutterstock; Pepsco Studio/Shutterstock; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock