Foo Dogs or Fu Dogs, as they are often called in the West, are actually incorrectly named. They are really Chinese Guardian Lions and historically, were placed in pairs, at the entrance to all palaces and other official buildings.
The tradition continues to this day, as you will often find a Foo Dog Statue placed in front of stores and other places, where Chinese communities have grown up.
Traditionally, the legend says that these Foo Dogs protect the inhabitants from harm and evil spirits.
These are usually in pairs and the male has the world in his hands, and the female a cub, however you can often find just one foo dog statue in a garden or entrance where space is a problem, as these have become very popular among westerners also.
You can find a Foo Dog Statue collection on line.
