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NDTV
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Meet Fu Zai, China's First Police Corgi With 400,000 Followers And A Nose For Trouble
Meet Fu Zai-a corgi with short legs, a big appetite, and an even bigger fan base. Once a family pet, Fu Zai is now China's first police corgi and a viral sensation, thanks to his unlikely role in law enforcement and a series of food-related antics that have endeared him to social media users. Since officially joining the Weifang Public Security Bureau in Shandong last October, the enthusiastic little dog has been working as a sniffer dog, using his sharp nose to detect explosives. But it's not just his skills that are getting attention-it's also his charm, goofiness, and a relentless obsession with food. The corgi's transformation from household pet to police recruit began when police trainer Zhao Qingshuai spotted him in a park last year. A quick call of his name had the puppy spinning on command and rushing over-especially when food was involved. "He couldn't resist food, which actually showed he had a strong drive to work," Zhao said in an interview with Chinese state media. That drive has led to both successes and comic mishaps. During a recent patrol, Fu Zai was caught on video snatching a sausage from a child's hand. His handlers have since worked on curbing his culinary temptations, but the incident only boosted his popularity. Supporters flooded social media with encouragement-and offers of more sausages. In another viral clip, Fu Zai was "disciplined" after sleeping on duty and using his food bowl as a toilet. His New Year's treats and toys were temporarily confiscated-another moment that made him an internet favourite. Despite the distractions, Fu Zai has proven to be a capable member of the force. With his small size and low center of gravity, he can access spaces larger dogs can't, like under vehicles and bus seats-making him an unexpected asset. His rise is unusual in police dog circles, where breeds like German shepherds, golden retrievers, and spaniels are preferred for their trainability and focus. Corgis, often seen as playful and easily distracted, are rarely considered. But Fu Zai has defied expectations. "Corgis are like big dogs in small bodies. They're confident but can get distracted," said Leonardo Palacio, a U.S.-based dog trainer. Still, with the right training, their drive can be channelled effectively. Fu Zai's fame has soared through Douyin, China's version of TikTok, where the Weifang police regularly post updates. A dedicated account titled *"Fu Zai and his comrades"* has over 400,000 followers. Fans tune in to watch him don doggy sunglasses, patrol festivals, and complete drills. Even his former owner remains part of the journey-making frequent visits to see him at the police base. From stealing sausages to sniffing out explosives, Fu Zai's journey shows that determination-and a love for snacks-can take you a long way.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
China's first police Corgi has 400,000 followers and a nose for trouble
Fu Zai has won top workplace reviews as an unusual breed of sniffer dog. But his lack of selfcontrol cost him his annual bonus/ NYT (Screengrab) With a keen sense of smell and legs that seem too short for his body, Fu Zai has won a huge social media audience that has followed him doing official duties since he started as a sniffer dog last fall. He was a puppy when a trainer spotted him at a park and recruited him to Weifang Public Security Bureau in Shandong. A love of earning treats as rewards has earned Fu Zai strong performance reviews. But it's also proved a challenge, as his trainer has found that keeping him in line is not easy. Fu Zai was caught on camera recently grabbing a bite of a sausage in a child's hand during patrol. Officers have since tried to train him to better resist food, but many on social media offered support — and free sausages — for Fu Zai the next time he patrolled the streets. In another video, some of the corgi's toys and snacks — part of a Lunar New Year 'bonus'— were confiscated for sleeping on the job and using his bowl as a urinal. Experts said such behaviour is normal for corgis. 'That's why they're challenging, too, because they get distracted pretty easily,' said Leonardo Palacio, owner of a training school in Connecticut. Fu Zai is an unusual choice for police work. Traditionally, corgis were bred to work on farms, herding cattle by biting their ankles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo In recent times, they have become popular choices for pets, most famously associated with Queen Elizabeth II. But some have retained the propensity to nip. That trait might dissuade trainers when assessing the suitability of a dog for disciplined forces, said a trainer at Hong Kong Canine. Fu Zai's trainer said he had initially ruled out a corgi as a police dog because of the breed's reputation. Meeting Fu Zai changed his mind. He later invited Fu Zai to train at the police base. Over the next few months, the corgi excelled in detecting explosives. Moreover, he could fit under tight spaces some other dogs couldn't reach. Fu Zai became a full-fledged member of Weifang police in Oct. He has since been beamed around the internet as a friendly face for the force, making frequent appearances on its official account on Douyin, China's version of TikTok. A separate account, named 'Fu Zai and his comrades,' has more than 400,000 followers. But the drive for food that helped him land the job also gotten him into some of his troubles. Whether as temptation he can't resist or a treat used in training, there will probably be more sausage in Fu Zai's future.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Straits Times
China's first police corgi has 400,000 followers and a nose for trouble
Fu Zhai lost his Lunar New Year 'bonus' for sleeping on the job and using his dog bowl as a urinal. PHOTO: CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK China's first police corgi has 400,000 followers and a nose for trouble BEIJING – China's first police corgi will do anything for food. With a keen sense of smell and legs that seem too short for his body, Fu Zai the corgi has won a huge social media audience that has followed him doing official duties since he started as a sniffer dog in September. He was a pet puppy when a dog trainer spotted his potential at a park and recruited him to the Weifang Public Security Bureau, in the northern coastal province of Shandong. A love of earning treats as rewards has earned Fu Zai strong performance reviews. But it's also proved a challenge, as his trainer has found that keeping him in line is not easy. Fu Zai was caught on camera recently grabbing a bite of a sausage in a child's hand during a street patrol. Officers have since tried to train him to better resist food, but many social media users offered support – and free sausages – for Fu Zai the next time he patrolled the streets. In another video, some of the corgi's toys and snacks – part of a Lunar New Year 'bonus' – were confiscated for sleeping on the job and using his dog bowl as a urinal. Dog experts said such behaviour is normal for corgis. 'That's why they're challenging, too, because they get distracted pretty easily. And they also have a lot of prey drive, so if there's anything that moves really quickly, they want to go and investigate,' said Mr Leonardo Palacio, owner of Real Focus K9, a dog training school in Stamford, Connecticut, that specialises in training dogs with behavioural challenges. He added that a corgi often moves with the confidence of 'a big dog in a small dog's body'. Fu Zai is an unusual choice for police work. Traditionally, corgis were bred to work on farms, herding cattle by biting their ankles. In recent times, they have become popular choices for pets or companion dogs, most famously associated with Queen Elizabeth II. But some have retained the propensity to nip. That trait might dissuade trainers when assessing the suitability of a dog for the disciplined forces, said Mr James Leung, a training director at Hong Kong Canine, who has experience training police dogs. 'It's all trainable, but that's just one less thing I have to train,' he said. Golden retrievers and spaniels are more typical choices for sniffer dogs because they are typically seen by the public as friendly, he added. Those short legs Fu Zai's trainer at the Weifang police, Mr Zhao Qingshuai, said in an interview with China's state broadcaster that he initially ruled out a corgi as a police dog because of the breed's reputation for curiosity and distractibility, not to mention the short legs. Meeting Fu Zai changed his mind. Mr Zhao said that after first encountering the dog by chance in the park and chatting with his owner, Fu Zai came running after Mr Zhao called his name. When offered treats, he was a good sport in games like spinning on demand. 'He could not resist food, an indication that he has a strong drive to work for food,' Mr Zhao said. He later invited Fu Zai to train at the police base to assess his skills. Over the next few months, the corgi excelled in detecting explosives. Moreover, he could fit under tight spaces some other dogs couldn't reach, making it easy to sniff out the bottom of vehicles and inspect the underside of bus seats. 'His short legs have actually become an advantage, allowing him to perform tasks that larger dogs can't,' Mr Zhao said. Fu Zai, whose name means something like 'Lucky Youngster', became a full-fledged member of the Weifang police in October. Social media star He has since been beamed around the Chinese internet as a friendly face for the regional force, making frequent appearances on the Weifang Public Security Bureau's official account on Douyin, China's version of TikTok. A separate account the department maintains, named 'Fu Zai and his comrades', has more than 400,000 followers. The videos show a glimpse of police dog life: practising drills, patrolling a regional kite festival and riding on the back of a motorcycle, doggy shades on. (His former owner pays him regular visits, according to videos on her Douyin account.) But the drive for food that helped him land the job has also gotten him into some of his troubles. While a working dog needs enough self-control to consistently follow instructions, it is also important that it keeps its natural drive or instincts, said Ms Vivien Chin, owner and principal trainer at Active K9 Academy, a dog training school in Singapore. 'You want it to be a bit more independent and a bit of a go-getter to actually go out and get the guy, or to brave all the different environmental obstacles that may come its way,' she said. Whether as a temptation he can't resist or a treat used in training, there will probably be more sausage in Fu Zai's future. And whatever his performance review says, his status as a social media star is unlikely to fade. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
12-05-2025
- Euronews
China's first Corgi police dog causes stir after snatching sausage
China's first corgi police dog has once again captured public attention — this time by snatching a sausage while on duty. Fuzai, a one-and-a-half-year-old pooch based at a police dog training centre in Weifang, Shandong province, has built a reputation not just for his bomb-sniffing skills but also for his mischievous nature, according to local media. He was discovered at just two months old by police dog trainer Zhao Qingshuai, who was immediately taken by the young dog's curiosity and instincts. Fuzai officially joined the ranks in October 2024 after successfully completing his training in explosive detection, vehicle inspection and obstacle navigation. Since then, he has participated in security operations including the Weifang International Kite Festival and community outreach events. Despite his budding career, Fuzai's journey hasn't been without hiccups. In January, he was disciplined after being caught napping during duty and urinating in his food bowl — behaviour that earned him a temporary ban from treats and toys. Even then, the public was more amused than outraged, with the Weifang Public Security Bureau gaining more than 400,000 followers. Now, the corgi has made headlines once more after swiping a grilled sausage from a young girl during an April patrol. Caught on camera, the moment shows Fuzai taking a bite and strolling off, leaving the crowd laughing. The girl's mother later assured the media that her daughter was unbothered and finished the rest of the sausage happily. Trainer Zhao issued a public apology and promised to tighten Fuzai's food discipline, local media stated. "Fuzai broke the rule of never taking anything from the public," said Zhao, vowing to improve Fuzai's impulse control. Nonetheless, social media users rallied to defend the corgi. 'With a dog as cute as Fuzai, how could anyone stay mad?' one person said. On 29 April, Fuzai and his trainers visited the girl's kindergarten, offering sausages, themed gifts and a kite to make amends. "I hope both Fuzai and my daughter grow up healthy and happy. Stay strong, Fuzai," said the child's mother. Iran and the US concluded a fourth round of negotiations over the long-standing dispute of Tehran's nuclear programme. The talks, which were mediated by Oman and therefore held in its capital, Muscat, lasted for three hours. As with the previous three rounds, the negotiations were mediated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump's spcial envoy, Steve Witkoff. A US official, who spoke to press agency AP on condition of anonymity, said the discussions were of both direct and indirect nature. "We are encouraged by today's outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future,' the official added. Iran claimed the talks only took place indirectly, possibly over internal political pressures within the Islamic Republic. Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the talks were "difficult" but admitted that "there's a better understanding now." "We've, to a large extent, moved away from general discussions and gotten into more detailed matters. Naturally, this makes the negotiations even more difficult," Araghchi said speaking to state media on Sunday. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear activities in return for economic sanctions imposed by the US to be lifted. In March, a United Nations' nuclear watchdog reported Iran had accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium. Iran is believed to have of the enriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon. The US wants to prevent Tehran from developing its stockpile, however Araghchi insisted Iran would continue its uranium enrichment. "From our perspective, (uranium) enrichment is something that absolutely must continue, and there's no room for compromise about that," Araghchi told state media. "We may consider limitations on its dimensions, scope, level, and amount for a certain period to build confidence, as we did in the agreement, but the principle of enrichment itself is not even negotiable," he added. The talks come as US President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Middle East this week. The American leader has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if a deal isn't reached. Araghchi confirmed another round of negotiations have been agreed on, although the date and location still need to be set.
The Star
07-05-2025
- The Star
China first corgi police dog in trouble again – this time for stealing sausage during patrol
BEIJING: China's first Corgi police dog has found itself in trouble again, this time for stealing a sausage from a child during a patrol, however, netizens have leapt to the canine's defence. One-and-a-half-year-old Fuzai, from a police dog training base in Weifang, Shandong province in eastern China, was given the name to bring good luck and success. His talent was spotted when he was just two months old when his owner took him to a park, where police dog trainer Zhao Qingshuai noticed his drive, curiosity, and hunting instincts. Seeing his potential, the owner donated Fuzai to the police dog training centre. Fuzai started training as a reserve explosives-detection operative in January 2024. In October 2024, after months of learning tasks like searching luggage, inspecting vehicles, and crossing obstacles, Fuzai passed his tests and officially joined the police force. In April, he helped provide security at the Weifang International Kite Festival. Fuzai has also taken part in public open house events, where he interacted with visitors and showed off his skills. With his big smile, short legs, and sharp detection skills, Fuzai quickly won hearts online. His story, posted on social media by the Weifang Public Security Bureau, has attracted over 400,000 followers. In January, Fuzai was punished for napping on the job and peeing in his food bowl, which cost him his year-end bonus of snacks and toys. The incident amused social media users across China. A few days later, his trainer shared a video saying that although the treats were taken away, Fuzai still received a festive Lunar New Year meal with Pacific herring, pumpkin soup, colourful dumplings, and rabbit meatballs. But the naughty canine was soon up to more mischief. On April 26, while on patrol, Fuzai snatched a grilled sausage from a child's hand. A video shows him turning his head, taking a bite of the sausage, then casually walking away as a crowd bursts into laughter. The girl's mother later said her daughter finished the rest of the sausage without complaint. After the patrol, Fuzai's trainer tried to find the family to make up for the snack but could not find them. She later posted an apology online, saying Fuzai had been formally scolded. 'Fuzai broke the rule of never taking anything from the public,' the trainer said, adding that stricter food refusal training would follow. The story has received much attention online, with many netizens calling for forgiveness. 'With a dog as cute as Fuzai, how could anyone stay mad?' one online observer said. 'Maybe it is time to upgrade his meals so he is not so tempted,' said another. On April 29, two trainers took Fuzai and two sausages to the girl's kindergarten, where they gave her and her mother some Fuzai-themed gifts and a kite. 'I hope both Fuzai and my daughter grow up healthy and happy. Stay strong, Fuzai,' the mother said. - South China Morning Post
