Shih Tzu Dogs Available for Adoption in Williamsburg, Virginia

Abby is available for adoption!

When Abby arrived she had a terrible skin infection, was underweight and her hair was so matted we had to shave her down. Some of these pictures still show some of her inflamed skin and matted feet. Her foster parents took great care of her and she now looks and feels so much better. She is finally ready to find her new home.

We are hoping we can find a wonderful adopter who doesn't really care about a dog's age. We are completely stumped regarding how old she is. She was surrendered to a shelter and the owner indicated that she was 11 years old. Then when the foster family got to know her they thought she must be very young, like 1-2 years old based on her puppy like behavior and energy level. So we asked our vet to give us an estimate and based on their exam they guessed about 5 years old. So all we can tell you is Abby is anywhere from 1-11 years old. My guess would be she is probably closer to the 10-11 years but is just a very playful, puppy like dog, but that is only a guess.

Abby is a happy, active little dog. She loves going for walks and chasing after toys, but she is just as happy to snuggle on your lap. She does tend to jump on people and can be a little mouthy, but it's not aggressive... She's just a little excited.

Abby walks well on the leash, but can be reactive around other dogs (especially bigger dogs), which means barking and a growly tone, but once she calms down, she's fine. It seems to be fear based, most likely due to lack of socialization, but with continual exposure and slow introductions, she should get a lot better. Therefore, she needs someone who will continue to work with her in this area of behavior.

The best home for Abby would probably be one with no young children (older kids would be fine). She is currently being fostered in a home with other dogs and cats, and she seems to be adjusting well.

We don't know if Abby's skin condition was only due to the poor environment she was in and how bad her hair was matted, or if she is going to have allergies. Shih-Tzu's do tend to have skin allergies so whoever adopt her needs to keep in mind she may need allergy meds.

For an application go to www.homesfurhounds.org

She is located in Williamsburg, Va.

The Shih Tzu is a small, affectionate dog breed known for its distinctive appearance, with a luxurious double coat, a short muzzle, and large round eyes. Originally bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, Shih Tzus are friendly, outgoing, and loving pets. They are known for their playful and charming personality, making them great family pets and suitable for apartment living. With their low shedding coat and adorable face, Shih Tzus are popular among dog lovers worldwide.

Homes Fur Hounds Inc. was formed to help the overwhelming number of animals that are abandoned, surrendered to county agencies...