The Teddy Bear dog, an adorable and cuddly companion, emerged in the early 2000s. This charming breed is a mix of Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise, resulting in its cute appearance and small size. They were bred for their endearing traits and hypoallergenic coats during the designer dog trend that began in the 1980s. Teddy Bears, also known as Zuchons or Shuchons, vary in appearance due to their mixed parentage. Typically, they stand no more than 12 inches tall and weigh 12 to pounds.