He has short legs. He has a big butt. Honestly, he looks more like a loaf of bread than a law enforcement officer. But Fuzai, a six-month-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, just became a literal sensation in Weifang, Shandong Province. He isn't just a pet; he’s the first-ever Chinese corgi police dog. People laughed when he first showed up at a police open house. How could a dog that struggles to climb a curb take down a criminal?
The reality is that police work isn't always about high-speed chases or biting suspects.
Fuzai—whose name translates to "Lucky Boy"—is currently serving as a reserve police dog. He’s training for some pretty serious stuff, specifically bomb detection and searching for explosives. While the internet is busy making memes about his tiny legs, the Weifang police are proving that a low center of gravity is actually a massive tactical advantage.
Why a Corgi? The Science of Being Short
Most people assume a police dog has to be a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois. Those breeds are great for intimidation and speed. But they’re big. They’re heavy. If you need to search under a car or navigate a tight crawl space, a 90-pound Shepherd is basically useless.
That’s where the Chinese corgi police dog comes in.
Wang Yanan, head of the Weifang police dog base, pointed out that Fuzai’s "short-statured" build allows him to search in confined spaces that larger dogs simply can't reach. Think about a crowded subway station or a room full of low-lying furniture. Fuzai can walk under things. He can sniff out a package tucked deep under a bus seat without knocking everything over.
It’s about niche utility.
Fuzai’s trainers noticed his potential when he was just two months old. In the world of working dogs, we look for high "prey drive" and "environmental stability." Basically, does the dog get scared of loud noises, and is it obsessed with finding its toy? Fuzai passed both tests with flying colors. Even at a few months old, he was outperforming some of his larger peers in scent-work drills. He’s highly motivated by food and play, which makes him incredibly easy to train compared to more stubborn breeds.
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The Training Regimen for Fuzai
Training a Chinese corgi police dog isn't just about teaching him to sit and stay. Fuzai is currently in a "reserve" phase, which is basically an internship for dogs. His day starts early with obedience drills, followed by scent identification and search-and-rescue simulations.
Because of those short legs, trainers have to be careful about his joints.
Corgis are prone to back issues like IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). You won't see Fuzai jumping over six-foot walls or rappelling down buildings. Instead, his training focuses on stamina and nose work. He spends hours navigating obstacles—pipes, narrow gaps, and uneven terrain—to ensure he can handle the physical demands of a real-world search environment.
The public’s reaction has been a mix of "Aww" and "Wait, is this real?" During his debut at a police camp open day, Fuzai was seen "marching" alongside the tall, leggy Shepherds. It looked ridiculous. But that’s the point. His presence softens the image of the police, making them more approachable to the public while he simultaneously performs a vital security function.
Breaking the Stigma of the "Lap Dog"
There's a huge misconception that Corgis are just "lifestyle" dogs meant for the Queen of England or Instagram influencers.
Actually, Corgis were bred to herd cattle. They are tough. They are bossy. They are used to dodging the hooves of 1,200-pound cows. That innate bravery translates well to police work. Fuzai doesn't seem to realize he’s small. When he’s on a scent, he’s focused. He’s relentless.
The Weifang police base isn't the first to think outside the box, but they are the first in China to successfully integrate a Corgi into a formal program. Other countries have used "non-traditional" breeds for years. The US often uses Labradors for explosives because they don’t look scary in an airport. Russia has experimented with Jack Russell Terriers. The Chinese corgi police dog is just the latest evolution of this "right tool for the job" philosophy.
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It's about efficiency.
If a dog can find a bomb just as fast as a Shepherd, but costs less to feed and can fit into smaller spaces, why wouldn't you use him? Fuzai is essentially a specialist. He’s the guy you call when the big guys can’t fit through the door.
The PR Power of the Corgi
Let’s be honest for a second: the Chinese corgi police dog is a public relations goldmine.
Social media in China, specifically Douyin and Weibo, went absolutely feral for Fuzai. Videos of him wearing his tiny police vest have millions of views. This isn't just about "cute content." It helps the police build a rapport with a younger generation that might otherwise be wary of law enforcement.
When people see Fuzai, they stop. They smile. They talk to the officers. That interaction creates a community connection that is hard to build with a snarling attack dog on a short leash.
However, the police are quick to remind everyone that Fuzai isn't a mascot. He’s a worker. He has passed exams. He has to meet strict performance metrics to stay in the program. If he stops finding the hidden "contraband" during drills, he goes back to being a pet. So far, he’s hitting all his marks.
Challenges and Realities
It’s not all sunshine and belly rubs for the Chinese corgi police dog. There are genuine limitations.
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- Speed: He will never win a footrace against a suspect.
- Defense: He isn't going to tackle a gunman.
- Fatigue: Short legs mean he has to take more steps to cover the same distance as a larger dog.
The trainers manage this by tailoring his shifts. Fuzai isn't meant for 12-hour patrol rounds. He’s meant for targeted searches. You bring him in, he clears the area, and he goes back to rest. It’s a smart allocation of resources.
The success of Fuzai has opened up a conversation about whether China will start using other "unconventional" breeds. We might see more Beagles or even smaller terriers in the future. The era of the "all-purpose" police dog is slowly giving way to a more specialized force.
What We Can Learn from Fuzai
The story of the Chinese corgi police dog teaches us a lot about breaking stereotypes. Just because something looks a certain way doesn't mean it lacks utility. Fuzai is a working professional who happens to have a very round silhouette.
If you’re following this story, keep an eye on the official Weifang Police social media accounts. They provide regular updates on his progress. He’s currently still a "reserve," but the goal is to have him fully certified for active duty once his scent-work reaches the final threshold.
For those looking to understand the future of working dogs, Fuzai is the blueprint. He represents a shift toward intelligence and agility over raw power and size.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts and Professionals
If you're interested in the world of working dogs or want to follow Fuzai's journey, here’s how to dive deeper:
- Monitor the Weifang Police "K9 Unit" Updates: They frequently post training footage on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) which shows the specific scent-work drills Fuzai is mastering.
- Study Scent-Work Training: If you have a high-energy dog at home, you can actually implement the same "nose work" games used by police dogs. It’s a great way to mentally stimulate a dog without needing a massive backyard.
- Support Local K9 Units: Many police departments rely on donations or community support for their dog programs. Check in with your local precinct to see how they manage their specialized search teams.
- Watch the "Reserve" Graduation: Fuzai is expected to undergo his final certifications soon. Following the results of these tests will provide a real-world look at how rigorous the standards are for a dog of any size to join the force.
Fuzai might be small, but his impact on the future of specialized police work in China is anything but tiny. He’s proving that in the world of detection, the nose is what matters, not the length of the legs.