Scout

Name:  Scout (after the character from To Kill A Mockingbird)
Breed:  Havashu - Shih Tzu/Havanese mix
DOB:  April, 2016
Joined the Family:  June, 2016

Scout is our 13 pound firecracker.  She's still pretty young, so she has plenty of energy.  Her favorite game is soccer.  She will push a regular sized soccer ball around with her head, growling and barking and wagging her tail while she does it.  She also enjoys plush toys, and although we've suffered a few causalities, she's usually pretty easy on her toys.  She likes to SHAKE them back and forth, but she doesn't tend to rip them to shreds.

Her biggest fear is loud noises.  Fireworks, thunderstorms, and enthusiastic cheering while watching sports on television send her off in search of a safe hiding spot.  We bought her the Thundershirt she's modeling in the picture, but she's still inclined to hide under the bed whenever it storms. 

Scout was relatively easy to train.  She's a small dog (with a small bladder) so housetraining lasted a month or so, but I expected it to be more difficult than it was.  During the day, I tried to keep a watchful eye on her, so if she began to squat, I could usher her outside.  At night, she slept in a kennel, and she never had a potty accident in it.  She also picked up basic commands pretty well, as long as we kept the treat jar nearby! 

She can be picky about her food, she gets a little too vocal occasionally, and she really, really loves her people, so once in awhile, she's annoyingly clingy.  But, she is so sweet and adorable and smart and loyal that we quickly forgive any small flaws.  If you're willing to give her attention, she loves you.  It's pretty simple. 

Scout with the boy before her first haircut

Because Shih Tzu and Havanese breeds both have long hair, there is a decent amount of grooming involved.  I do brush her when I have the patience to do it, but we choose to take her in for regular haircuts.  We keep her coat relatively short by getting it cut about every 8 weeks.  People debate whether or not these breeds shed, but I can tell you that OUR dog, in particular, does NOT shed.

Scout looking pretty after her first haircut