Lucy ❤️ Maltese x Shih Tzu 🌺(1/8/20 On Trial)

Lucy is a Maltese x Shih Tzu, only 1 year 7 months old. She is just divine ❤️. She loves to sit with you and cuddle but is also still young and playful. She enjoys going for a walk and walks very nicely on a harness and lead. She's good in the car.

She is in foster care with 5 other dogs. She was rather overwhelmed by them at first but now she gets along by mostly ignoring them. She would be great as an only dog or living with another small, placid dog. She wouldn't enjoy meeting random dogs on the street or at the dog park but she can be friends with dogs that she lives with or that visit regularly. We haven't introduced her to any cats.

Lucy is very much an inside girl and needs to be welcome inside, on your lap, and to sleep inside. She is housetrained. She's not a big barker but will let you know when someone comes to the door. She hasn't had much training so can't be let off lead. But she is smart and attentive and will respond very well to positive reinforcement training.

Lucy can be a shy when meeting new people so she needs to be allowed to come to you when she's ready. If you try to touch her before she's ready she will growl, and if you persist in ignoring her warning, she might snap. We've never seen her snap but it might be a possibility, especially with young children who don't know how to approach dogs gently.

She has a gorgeous, fluffy, low-shedding coat which needs regular brushing (every few days depending on length), bathing (every few weeks). Professional clipping (needed every 4 to 6 weeks) will cost approximately $65 and is essential to keep her comfortable and beautiful.

Lucy was previously living with a retired lady so she isn't used to a busy household with children or lots of visitors. Any children in her forever home need to be 12 years or older so they will be gentle with her.

Lucy has always been very well cared for and loved. She was reluctantly surrendered to Dog Rescue Newcastle by her owner who sadly became unable to care for her. Lucy was a little bit bewildered for the first couple of days when she came into foster care but now she is relaxed and comfortable. She likes to have her harness and lead in the same room with her and to sleep with them in her bed. We suppose the scent is comforting to her but I don't think she'll need them for much longer.

Lucy is the size of a large Shih Tzu and weighs approximately 6kgs. Her birthday is 9th of December 2018. She is a young, active and healthy little girl with her whole life ahead of her. Small dogs like Lucy typically live to age 15 or 16 so you'll need to be prepared for that commitment. She needs a grassy backyard and isn't suitable for apartment living.

We are looking for a forever home for Lucy where there is someone home most of the time who will make her a big part of their lives; to love her, play with her, take her for a daily walk, and let her sit on their lap.

If you would like Lucy to be your loyal companion, please fill out our Adoption Questionnaire https://tinyurl.com/drnadopt (rather than using the "Enquire" button on Petrescue). If you have any questions please contact Terri by email to drn.terri@gmail.com

Lucy is in foster care in Belmont, NSW (Lake Macquarie, south of Newcastle). She available for adoption to NSW and ACT.

Lucy's adoption fee is $650 and she is desexed, recently vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, microchipped, and lifetime registered.