BEIJING (SCMP): After China’s first corgi police dog, Fuzai, went viral online, a new arrival of the same breed has appeared on the scene.
The six-year-old called Rabbit Baby aims to follow Fuzai’s footsteps and overcome age challenges to become the country’s second diminutive canine cop.
Fuzai became an online sensation in March 2024, winning numerous hearts with its adorable looks and impressive explosive-detection skills.
Now, Rabbit Baby, also known as Tubao in Chinese, hopes to make his mark.
On Feb 12, a video posted by a police SWAT team in Wuhan, central China, showed Rabbit Baby wearing a patrol dog harness as he interacted with officers at their training base.
Rabbit Baby being put through his paces at the police SWAT team training base in Wuhan. - Sohu
The dog detective quickly captured the attention of Chinese netizens.
One officer, Bao Dan, who is six-year-old Rabbit Baby’s owner, said the dog’s name comes from its ears, which resemble those of a rabbit.
“My Rabbit Baby is already six years old, and we have spent the past six years together at the SWAT team camp. Despite his age and a bit of extra weight, he has one big dream, to become a police dog,” Bao told Jiupai News.
“If we let the dog join our patrol, it is not just a simple display on the street. We want to see if he can use his short legs to search for explosives under vehicles. Fuzai, our first corgi police dog, has been a great inspiration to us corgi owners,” Bao added.
Bao has been a police officer for 10 years and has taken every opportunity to take him to practise. She said Rabbit Baby has become the team’s mascot.
Now, the adorable and responsive canine is very familiar with the entire base and its training equipment, he can also follow commands like go ahead, stop, and sit, she said.
However, despite his rise to fame, becoming a police dog has not been easy and training starts young.
Fuzai underwent rigorous training, covering various disciplines such as obedience, bomb detection, and scent work, for a full year.
Bao also expressed her willingness to protect Rabbit Baby’s dream of joining the force.
“Even as a small dog with short legs, he can have a dream of becoming a police dog, and that serves as an inspiration for all of us to chase our dreams,” she said.
“Having a dream and working hard to achieve it is a rewarding journey. We do not necessarily need him to officially become a police dog. As long as he is happy during training and can integrate into our work, we will be happy too. The interaction itself is the best part,” Bao added.
Chinese netizens have also expressed their affection and support for Rabbit Baby.
One online observer said: “I hope Rabbit Baby, like Fuzai, stays healthy and happy, grows taller, and may his dream come true!” - South China Morning Post
