A dog stolen from a teenager while he was walking him in Colney Heath three months ago is "back where he belongs", having been recovered and reunited with his owner.

Max, a two-year-old brown and white Shih Tzu crossed with a Cavalier King Charles, was returned to his owner Suzanne Emerton on Sunday, December 28, after he was found about 50 miles awat in Aldershot, Hampshire.

He had been missing since September, when he was stolen from Ms Emerton's son during a walk. A Facebook page set up to help find Max received nearly 1,000 likes and hundreds of comments with potential sightings.

Aside from losing a bit of weight, Max is doing very well and is settling back at home. Ms Emerton said: "The whole family is absolutely delighted to have our boy home.

"He has done brilliantly and gone back into his old habits. He had lost two kilos in his time away but he is starting to put it back on."

Ms Emerton, a of two from Colney Heath, bought Max in July 2012 as a puppy. She contiunued: "The whole incident has been very traumatic. Just awful.

"Obviously my son felt awful because he had been walking Max when he was taken. Although we could replace his iPhone the next day but obviously we couldn’t replace Max.

"The moment we reunited was so special. We recognised each other straight away. I saw his face and knew it was him. He recognised me and started wagging his tail.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped us find Max by sharing the appeals and raising his profile across the country and Stolen and Stray Pet Rescue for their involvement in locating Max.

"Everyone has been so kind and supportive. I keep pinching myself as I can’t believe we have Max back - I’m ecstatic."

Max when he was found on December 28. His owners are "delighted" to have him back.  Video by Anji O'Donoghue.

Police are trying to find the youth who grabbed Max in September.

Max was taken at just gone 9pm on Wednesday, September 10, as Ms Emerton's 16-year-old son walked him along Hall Gardens in Colney Heath.

The offender approached the boy and took his mobile. In his attempts to get away the offender got caught in the dog lead and so picked up the dog and took it with him.

He went to a car parked nearby, a white BMW 1 series, where two other males were waiting and they drove off.

Police said the thief was a white male aged 16 or 17, of average build and about 5ft 10ins tall with short shaven dark hair and was wearing a dark tracksuit.

Stephanie Kent-Nye, from Stolen and Stray Pet Rescue, said that while people should not be alarmed by the theft, several recoverys have been made in recent months. She said: "Max had been passed on and the fact we were able to get Max home to his family is wonderful. He has settled in beautifully and is now back into his normal routine.

"He had been through a bit of an ordeal so to slot in so well is fantastic.

"Max is back where he should be, and that is the most important thing. He is very happy with his family and has done well."

Detective Constable Stuart Bence at Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "I am absolutely delighted that Max has been reunited with his family who were devastated when he was stolen. This is probably the best Christmas present they could have wished for.

"We would still like to identify the person responsible for the robbery and anyone who believes they know who this is should come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference F3/14/1258.