The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a mix of the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Shih-Tzu. The hybrid has the gentleness of the Shih Tzu and the intelligence of the Smooth Fox terrier. The cross between these two breeds gives you an affectionate, intelligent and active dog.
The Smooth Fo-Tzu makes a wonderful companion and family pet. The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a small-sized lap dog. It sands no more than 15 inches tall and weighs around 10 to 19 pounds.
Smooth Fo-Tzu History
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a cross between the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Shih-Tzu. As the Smooth Fo-Tzu is a relatively new hybrid, we do not have much information available, so we will look at its parent breeds to better understand the dog.
The breed was developed in the early 2000s in the US when pure crossing breeds became popular. The Shih-Tzu is an ancient breed that has its origins in China. They were developed to be companions and were very popular in Chinese imperial families.
The breed was banned from being owned or sold to foreigners or commoners. After World War II, the breed was introduced to America and England. The Shih Tzu was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1969 and is the 19th most popular breed in their registry.
The Smooth Fox Terrier, also called the Fox terrier, has its origins in the UK. It was developed for the purpose of hunting foxes and vermin. Although hunting is banned in the UK, it is popularly kept as a family pet.
The Smooth Fox Terrier was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1884 and is the 123rd most popular breed in their registry. In the case of the Smooth Fo-Tzu, it is not part of any Kennel Club or registered yet.
Smooth Fo-Tzu Characteristics
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a cross between the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Shih-Tzu. The breed resembles a lot with its parent breeds. The dog stands 7 to 15 inches tall and weighs 10 to 20 pounds. They have a dense coat with long and silky hair. The breed comes in various colors: black, white, tan, and brindle. The Smooth Fo-Tzu has dark eyes and a black nose. They are strong, and their body is muscular with a high tail that curls from at the tip.
How Big Do Smooth Fo-Tzu Get?
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a small-medium-sized breed whose male stands 7 to 15 inches tall and weighs around 10 to 20 pounds. The female is about the same size as the male, stands 7 to 15 inches tall, and weighs approximately 10 to 20 pounds.
How Long Does A Smooth Fo-Tzu Live?
Provided with proper care and nutrition, any dog owner can prolong their pet’s life. In the case of the Smooth Fo-Tzu, they have an average life span of 10 to 13 years. However, the life expectancy of any animal will depend on the care provided by the owner and the dog’s genetics.
How Much Does A Smooth Fo-Tzu Cost?
The Smooth Fo-Tzu being a designer breed, is rare. The prices of the breed vary from breeder to breeder. They also lack breeders that offer Smooth Fo-Tzu, so they do not have a fixed price. However, a rough estimate would be between $500 to $1500 US dollars. The prices depend on the dogs’ genetics and the breeder’s reputation.
Smooth Fo-Tzu Temperament/Personality
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a cross between the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Shih-Tzu. They inherit their personality traits from their parent breeds. The Smooth Fo-Tzu is an energetic, affectionate, gentle, friendly, intelligent, playful, loyal, loving, sweet, courageous, and territorial dog.
The dog needs to be socialized with strangers and children at an early age, so they go along well with kids and strangers. They are a moderately active breed that needs 1 to 2 hours of activity daily. The Smooth Fo-Tzu is also a moderate barker which can be a problem if you live in an apartment or noise-restricted zone.
The breed’s temperament makes him fit for new or inexperienced dog owners. They also have a tendency to hunt and may wander away, so they should be kept on a leash when outside.
Smooth Fo-Tzu Nutrition
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is a small-medium-sized breed that would consume 1 cup of dog food daily. The daily cost of its nutrition will be around $0.7 to $1.0 US dollars. The owner should opt for giving Food for Small Dogs along with Wet Dog Food. The owner should also occasionally reward the dog with Dog Treat, especially during training.
How Do You Groom A Smooth Fo-Tzu?
The Smooth Fo-Tzu does not require extensive grooming or maintenance. The coat can be hypo-allergic inherited from its parent breed, the Shih-Tzu. The dog needs to be brushed using a Dog Brush once a week, and its ears should be cleaned every month using Dog Ear Cleaners.
The toenails should be trimmed once in two weeks, and his teeth should be brushed using a Toothpaste for Dogs once a month. Apart from this basic grooming, the Smooth Fo-Tzu does not require any other additional grooming.
Activity Levels of A Smooth Fo-Tzu
The Smooth Fo-Tzu falls in the moderate category of active canine. The dog needs 1 to 2 hours of activity daily. The activities could include walking in the park playing interactive games like frisbee, flyball, fetch and find.
The owner should also train the dog regularly, which is a vital part of its training. The breed also has a tendency to wander and hunt, so it should be kept on a leash when outside if untrained. The dog adjusts to rural or urban settings pretty easily; however, additional precautions should be taken when extreme temperatures.
Health Concerns For Smooth Fo-Tzu
The Smooth Fo-Tzu is overall a healthy dog except that its coat is hypoallergic, a trait inherited by its parent breed, the Shih-Tzu. Some major concerns in the breed include Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome, Brachycephalic Syndrome, and Cataracts. Some occasional diagnoses include Pulmonic Stenosis, deafness, Sebaceous Adenitis, and Urolithiasis.
Breeds Similar to Smooth Fo-Tzu
Best Dog Food for Smooth Fo-Tzus
The best dog food for Smooth Fo-Tzu is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food. This dog food is formulated with barley and chicken as the key ingredients. It is equipped with high-quality fibers and protein that provide stronger muscles and make the food easy to digest. Moreover, it also supports kibble size for easy eating.
- Equipped with omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
- Crafted without any artificial colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
- Vitamins C and E with antioxidants make it great for immunity.
Best Puppy Food for Smooth Fo-Tzus
The best puppy food for Smooth Fo-Tzu is Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food. This puppy food is made of cage-free chicken. This formula is rich in protein and supports stronger muscles. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins that provide a healthy lifestyle to your pup.
- Improves vision and develops brain through DHA.
- Probiotics blend enhances the digestive system.
- Includes omega fatty acids like 3 and 6 that promote coat and skin health.
Best Dog Crate for Smooth Fo-Tzus
The best dog crate for Smooth Fo-Tzu is Paws & Pals Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate, 20 inches. This crate has a super secure structure. It is manufactured with high-quality wires and contains slide bolt latches for added security.
- Offers superior resistance against corrosion, fade, and rust.
- Easy to clean with a removable plastic tray.
- Higher durability and long-lasting due to steel wires.
Best Dog Bed for Smooth Fo-Tzus
The best dog bed for Smooth Fo-Tzu is FurHaven Ultra Plush Oval Bolster Cat & Dog Bed w/Removable Cover. This bed has a nest-like design that makes it great and comfortable for your dog’s all-day naps and night sleeps.
- Contains a washable core and cover.
- Equipped with pillow cushions with a soft surface for added comfort.
- Easy to get in and out due to front cutout.
Best Dog Harness for Smooth Fo-Tzus
The best dog harness for Smooth Fo-Tzu is Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness. This harness maximizes the walking comfort of your pal with its mesh fabric.
- Provides convenient leash attachment through 2D rings.
- Better security through snap-in buckles.
- Reliable fitting.
Recommended Reading:
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