Boshih Dog Breed

The Bo-Shih, as a crossbred dog, is not an official member of any breed category. This hybrid's true origin is unknown, but it's likely Bo-Shihs were developed during the designer dog craze of the late twentieth century in the U.S. Dogs of this breed are definitely companion animals, though they also excel in obedience and agility trials; Bo-Shihs are great pets for families, singles, and seniors.

A few facts: Bo-Shihs are small-sized (height at the shoulders is 12-16 inches, and weight is 10-20 pounds), with medium- to long-haired coats that come in a variety of colors and sometimes include facial furnishings. Here are some advantages and drawbacks to owning this mixed breed:

PROS:

• Affectionate and loving
• Low to moderate barking tendency
• Alert and inquisitive
• Great with children and other pets
• Adapts well to apartment life
• Fairly easily trained
• Good for first-time owners

CONS:

• Sheds frequently
• Might be stubborn and strong-willed
• May suffer from separation anxiety if left alone
• Not hypoallergenic
• High tendency for obesity
• Frequent grooming required
• Might be difficult to housetrain

The Bo-Shih combines the friendliness and neediness of the Shih Tzu with the intelligence and lively demeanor of the Boston Terrier--and the result is a cheerful, affectionate, nearly irresistible little crossbred animal. Physically, Bo-Shihs are a whole lot of cuteness in a small package: adorable round eyes, large ears that often can't decide whether to stand erect or hang, and a body that could be a stuffed animal come to life. In regards to intelligence, Bo-Shihs are usually pretty smart, and respond well to training if the teacher uses consistent, positive training methods.

Personality-wise, the average Bo-Shih is like a precocious third-grader: fun-loving, affectionate, shy around those it doesn't know, and nearly always in need of others' time and attention. Dogs of this breed will often be their owners' shadows, following them everywhere they're allowed; Bo-Shihs don't handle solitude very well, and may turn destructive if left alone for extended periods. If they receive the same love and affection they're so willing to give, though, Bo-Shihs will be fantastic little pets! They're also very loyal; though they don't bark too much overall, they normally sound a vocal alarm at unknown sights and sounds, so they make fairly good watchdogs

Bo-Shihs are small but lively; though they're not blessed with brute strength, they are surprisingly strong and agile for a toy-sized dog (which is one reason they perform well in competitive trials). Bo-Shihs should be given at least an hour of vigorous exercise daily, which can be accomplished by a long walk.

Bo-Shihs are considered quite healthy, partly because of hybrid vigor (a condition in which a crossbred animal retains the healthiest traits of both its parent breeds). Still, dogs of this breed may inherit health issues common to both the Boston Terrier and the Shih Tzu, including patellar luxation, allergies, eye and/or ear problems, and reverse sneezing.

Life expectancy for these dogs is 12-15 years.