Baby came from a shelter down south that was closing. We were asked to take these guys and find them a forever home. Baby is s sweet little Shih Tzu who wants a forever home.
Foster Update: I don’t think his tail has stopped wagging! He is a happy, fun little dog that loves to be around his people. He walks very well on a leash and really enjoys going for a walk. He was a little afraid of the thunder so he jumped right into our lap when he heard it and just sat there until it passed. He enjoys running and playing with our children and he knows a few basic commands like sit and shake.
Foster Update: 5/21 - I am fostering Baby while his regular foster is out of town. His foster calls him "Buddy" and he responds to that name. Baby (Buddy) gets along great with my two other dogs (one is a large Lab & the other a Shih Tzu). You can tell that Baby is starving for some love & attention because he is constantly looking at you with his tail wagging. His sad eyes make you want to comfort & hug him. He is working on his potty training and is crate trained. As long as I keep an eye on him, he is fine. Baby will do great with a family and other dogs. He has not shown any type of aggression with my kids or the other dogs. My Lab was bothering him while he was eating and there was no food aggression issues at all. He's a sweet dog that looks like he has not had much luck in life.
Foster Update 5/23/10: Baby is a great companion and he doesn't really like to be alone. He's happy to follow us around the house, when I sit at the computer to do some work he finds his blanket on the floor, makes himself comfortable and takes a nap. He is also happy to sit on the couch and curl up to watch TV with us in the evening. At night he sleeps in his crate in my son's room and he is very content. A couple of good exercise sessions a day make him very happy, he likes to run around the yard playing with toys and other dogs and he gets very excited when we get the leashes to go for a walk. He didn't mind getting a bath. He does have a dominant personality but we address any negative behaviors with a firm "NO" and he understands quickly that those behaviors aren't appropriate. Overall he has adjusted very quickly to our routines and he is a great little guy to have around!
Are you unfamiliar with the Shih Tzu breed? Pronounced SHEET-sue, they are known as alert, spunky, happy and hardy. They are bred with an underbite which gives them a constant "smile." Traditionally, their coat is kept long, with ears blending into the body, distinct mustache, and a top knot secured with a bow. However, in our Florida climate, many are clipped short to relieve them of the heat. An alert watch dog, Shih Tzus like to bark but are usually quiet in the house. Originally from China, they were a favorite of the Imperial Chinese court and so revered that for many years after the Chinese began trading with the West, they refused to sell, or even give away, any of the little dogs. It was not until 1930 that the first pair was imported to England. The life expectancy of Shih Tzus in 16 years.
