The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Shiffon

Brussels Griffon / Shih Tzu Mixed Breed Dogs

Information and Pictures

Close up front view - A tan with black Shiffon dog is sitting on a rug in front of a couch and it is looking forward. The dog has longer hair on its face and ears and it looks like a monkey.

Stella the Shiffon (Griffon / Shih Tzu mix breed dog) at 1½ years old

Description

The Shiffon is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Brussels Griffon and the Shih Tzu. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.

Recognition
  • ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
  • DBR = Designer Breed Registry
  • DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
A thick coated, tan with black Shiffon dog has a velvety light blue and green hat on its head, its mouth is open and it looks like it is smiling. There is a person behind it holding it in the air.
Close up - A small tan with white and black Shiffon puppy is sitting on a bed, it is looking forward and its head is slightly tilted to the right. A tiny tan with white and black Shiffon puppy is sitting on a carpet and it is looking to the right.

"This is my dog Marti. She is a Shiffon (Shih Tzu / Brussels Griffon). She is incredibly intelligent; I had her doing 'sit,' 'lie down,' 'come,' 'speak' and 'dance' within the first week I had her—and at the time she was only 10 weeks. She is also very friendly. She is a sturdy, hardy little girl, and very playful. Housetraining has been a bit touch and go, as is the case with most toy dogs. Because I live in a three-story apartment complex, the combination of being consistent in her training and trying to anticipate her schedule was giving me more exercise than I really wanted. So, besides the crate training that I did when I could not supervise her (at nighttime and while I am at work—I keep a blanket and toys and water in the crate with her), I have added another wire crate in a different room, for her to use as a bathroom. It is similar to having her use a litter box, but since there is no litter, it's much easier for me to clean up. I used clicker-training to get her started, and now when she has to go, she runs in and waits to make sure I'm watching before she does her business, then she runs over to me as quick as she is finished for a cookie. She is very good about using the crate, but once in a while if she appears to be annoyed with me, she will poop on the kitchen floor. She is a wonderful dog, and I recommend the Shiffon to anyone that wants a loving, smart, low-maintenance dog."