You know, there are more differences between Weimaraners and Shih-tzus that you might imagine.  Take a couple into your home and you quickly see past the obvious.

My Weim is a very “here and now” kind of dog.  He lives in the present and is quite happy with whatever the universe hands him at any given time. 

I’m just going to fall over and sleep right here if that’s ok with you. 

Sure, I’ll eat whatever that stuff is in my bowl. 

Cool!  A toilet!

My tzu is out to change the world – or at least his world. 

You gave me a bone?  Well, I want a chew toy. 

You expect me to sleep on that soft dog bed?  No thanks, I prefer the cold, hard floor. 

You want me out/in?  Too bad.  I want the opposite of whatever you’re asking.

I didn’t really notice the differences in personality until I was doling out lamb sausage treats after a long walk the other day.  Toby (the tzu) will beg and beg for his goody and gets so excited he can hardly hold still while I give it to him.  But then he takes his time, sniffs it, and daintily licks it a few times before taking it from my hand.

I know I asked for this, but that doesn’t mean it automatically meets my approval.

Woody (the weim) would turn cartwheels for a treat.  He will zero in on the snack and focus so intently on it that it’s scary.  He’d jump over the moon if I asked him to – as long as there was a lamb treat waiting on the other side.  But when he finally earns the treat, he seizes the moment.  No delicate taste test – it’s gone.

Eat first, sniff later.

In many ways, I’m still trying to figure out whether I want to be a shih-tzu or a weimaraner when I grow up.

If I grow up.