Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
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Story
Anchor is a 1 yearr 8 month old Shih Tzu. Anchor is a sweet, soulful boy who is truly hitting his stride in foster care. He is a social butterfly at heart, getting along wonderfully with both humans and dogs. In fact, he is often the one to initiate playtime with his foster sibling, and he is just starting to discover the joy of toys, though he sometimes gets so excited to play that he’ll give your shirt a little tug. He is very easy to redirect with a squeaker or a ball. While he is a bit wary of hands moving toward his face or over his head, he melts the moment you pick him up and he's in your arms. He’s the ultimate snuggler; he’ll lean his whole weight against you to get as close as possible, often drifting off into a deep sleep right while you’re petting him.
When it comes to home life, Anchor is the best companion. He is a champion sleeper who isn't easily bothered by household noises, though he does have a funny habit of barking at his own reflection in the mirror! He’s currently working hard on his potty training and prefers to do his business outside. While he is a pro at going up the stairs, he’s still building his confidence coming back down, especially on hardwood floors where things feel a little slippery. He loves his walks with a harness and, when the day is done, he’s happy to sleep in his crate or snuggle in bed with you. Just keep in mind that he’s a ""cool side of the pillow"" kind of guy, you’ll often find him stretched out on the hardwood floor or a cooling mat rather than a fuzzy rug. He is a sweet, evolving pup who just needs a loving family to help his confidence continue to grow.”
Anchor can sleep in a crate and on the bed with others. If he's not ready for sleep, he may ask to leave his crate, but he will normally fall asleep in his crate after a moment. This is something that will evolve with further crate training if that's what the adopted family prefers. Once he's sleeping, he's usually in a deep slumber. Noises don't seem to bother him. He does prefer to sleep on something a bit more cool, so having access to a cooling mat would be great.
Anchor prefers to potty outside, but he's still working on it. He will always potty when taken outside and has no problem finding a spot. He's still marking at the moment, so belly bands are helping during this training period.
Adopters should be aware of his tendency for marking, but this may change once he's neutered. He also likes to look for things to chew on, so it's important to redirect with a toy so he has an outlet for it. He is good with other dogs, doesn’t mind the car.
What really makes him special is seeing his confidence grow every day. Once he decides you’re his person, he is incredibly loyal. There is nothing more rewarding than that moment when he leans his weight into you and completely relaxes.
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A Quick but Important Note to All Adopters:
Please remember that none of our dogs arrive fully trained. Most come from tough or uncertain beginnings and may have never lived in a home or known basic routines. That means:
✧ They are not potty trained on arrival. Most dogs regress in potty training when moving to a new environment.
✧ They may lack basic manners (like leash walking or appropriate chewing).
✧ They’re learning, growing, and doing their best—but they will need patience, structure, and compassion to succeed.
The majority of these pups have lived in the confinement of a cage or kennel run for most - if not all - of their lives. Because of this, we strongly discourage the use of crates for anything other than vehicle transport. They deserve the chance to decompress and learn what true freedom and comfort feel like.
Our amazing foster homes work hard to start these dogs on the right path, but they are rescues, not finished products. These dogs need time, consistency, and a loving home willing to meet them where they are.
Also, breed designations are our best guesses based on appearance and behavior. We can't guarantee breed, size, adult weight, or coat type.
