Fo-Tzu

Dog Breed Profile

Fo-Tzu History

The Fo-Tzu is a medium-size Chinese breed of toy or lapdog that was developed from a cross-breeding of the Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Bichon Frise. The Fo-Tzu is a medium-sized, sturdy, active, and intelligent lapdog. The coat of the Fo- Tzu is moderately long, straight and of silky texture, and comes in mainly white and various shades of cream. It has a wedge-shaped head with a rounded top, almond-shaped eyes, and a black nose. The ears are triangular at the base and pointed at the top. The tail is curled upward over the back. The origin of the name “Fo-Tu” is obscure. One legend says that the name is from “Fu”, meaning “happiness, blessings, luxury”, and “Tsu”, “to have”, so the name means “having happiness”. Another version is that the name comes from “Feng”, meaning “wind”, and “Tzu”, “tiger”, so “wind tiger”. A third version is that “Fo” is a phonetic transliteration of “Foo”, which means “happy”.

Time of Origin

1990s

Country of Origin

United States Of America

Ancestry

Shih Tzu, Toy Fox Terrier

Fo-Tzu Physical Characteristics

The Fo-Tzu is a toy breed that typically stands between 10 and 12.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 5 and 10 pounds. They are high strung, excitable, confident dogs with a short, straight, glossy, fine, and silky hair. They have a bulging forehead and wide, rounded eyes. The fo-tzus have a small, oval muzzle.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Black, Brown

Coat Colors

White, Cream, Brown, Black, Sable, Pied

Height Range

Male Height Range: 12 – 15 inches

Female Height Range: 10 – 14 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 10 – 19 lbs

Female Weight Range: 8 – 13 lbs

Fo-Tzu Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

12-15 yrs

Fo-Tzu Health Concerns

Brachycephalic Syndrome, Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome, Entropion, Ectropion, Cataracts

Fo-Tzu Temperament and Behaviour

The Fo-Tzu is a loving, playful and devoted companion. They are extremely loyal to their owners and can be very protective. They are outgoing and sociable, but they can also be aloof and cautious. The Fo-Tzu can be aggressive towards other dogs and cats if they are not properly socialized when they are young.

Fo-Tzu Activity Requirements

The Fo-Tzu is a tiny, short-haired dog that originated in China. They are often compared to cats, due to their small size and affectionate nature. While they are not a particularly high energy dog, the Fo-Tzu still needs regular activity and interaction. They are best suited to homes with owners who can provide walks and other outdoor play opportunities. The Fo-Tzu is well-suited to life in an apartment, provided they get enough exercise and interaction with their owners. Due to their small size, they also do well in small spaces. If you are looking for a smaller, lapdog type of dog, a Fo-Tzu might be the right fit.