Feel Free To Call Me Toll Free At 1-877-744-2466 So why cross breed? Are The puppies healthier?   SOME KNOWN BICHON HEALTH ISSUES   1. Disease of the liver and spleen   2. Orthopedic (patellar luxation, Legg-Calve  Perthes)   3. Eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye)   4. Disk Degeneration   5. Skin and allergy / atopy   6. Bladder infections and stones   7 Dental disease (gingivitis, early tooth loss)   8. Cardiac    9. Cancers (no one type predominant)   10. Metabolic diseases (Cushings, diabetes,pancreatic) SOME KNOWN SHIH TZU HEALTH ISSUES   1. Liver-Portosystemic Shunt   2.Patellar Luxation   3. Retinal Dysplasia - Eye Problem   4. Intervertebral Disk Disease   5. Nose - Stenotic Nares   6. Umbilical Hernia   7. Renal Cortical Hypoplasia    8 Harderian Gland Prolapse (Cherry eye)   9.  Hypothyroidism   10. General Respiratory Problems     So what about Hetaerists effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor means, "Physical or mental strength, energy, or force."   This ONLY works with genetic issues that are known in only one of the parent breeds. This does not work with issues in both breeds. For these's issues it is like breeding purebred to purebred.     We breed purebred to purebred creating a first generation hybrid because we believe if you don't double up on all the genes you are most likely going to produce a healthier pet. For example By doing a F1 breeding our babies don't have the breathing issues a purebred shih Tzu could have.    To help you understand the concept we here is an example: In general we will call the first purebred "purebred-A", and the second "purebred-B". F1 = 1st generation puppy - 50% purebred-A and 50% purebred-B - for example, a Bichon to Shih tzu, this is first generation, resulting in healthier offspring.         OUR EMAIL IS CINDY@FUZZYWUZZYPUPS.COM