The Ruff Life Tribe

Mindy S.

Breeder of Shih Tzus, Companion Crosses, and Lhasa Apsos

  • Kettering, OH
  • Responds within a few hours

Available puppies

Sheldon

Ready Aug. 8

3 weeks old · Male

Raj

Ready Aug. 8

3 weeks old · Male

Wesley

Ready June 30

9 weeks old · Male

Talia

Ready June 30

9 weeks old · Female

Meet the breeder

I'm Mindy S., the breeder behind The Ruff Life Tribe located in Kettering, OH. My goal is to provide families with the best possible pets, that are affordable, loving, and healthy. My breeding dogs are DNA health cleared, vet checked, up to date on vaccinations and well visits. My puppies are also exposed to several programs to improve socialization skills and new puppy fear.

Q. & A. with Mindy

  • Why did you start breeding?

    I started breeding in 2023 when I was a stay at home mom with my youngest child. I will only breed with caution and I will always put the health first. I will not breed dogs if it’s not recommended due to health or age.

  • What makes your program special?

    My breeding program is special because all of my breeding dogs reside in my home with my family. We also work with the puppies multiple times a day and we work on multiple tasks such as early neurological stimulation, exposing them to atleast 7 challenges, exposure to a doggie door with indoor grass area, introduction to harness and leash walking, and daily handling.

  • What are the different breed sizes in your program?

    Companion Cross puppies are small size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our Shih Tzu puppies include sable, liver, white, liver and white, gold and white, black gold and silver, and brindle. Lhasa Apso puppies include parti, brindle, brown, white, liver, golden, black, and red gold. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from Mindy

Mindy has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

After buyers complete the application and screening process, Mindy partners with them to find the best puppy match.

“I take great care in placing my puppies with the right families. I hope you will consider a puppy from me.”

Price

Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $700 - $2,100 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

“My price includes a 1-year health guarantee, free 30-day health insurance policy through Trupanion, first set of vaccinations, deworming, vet checked and cleared all before going home. All of my deposits are 500.00.”

Contract & health guarantee

Mindy may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Mindy offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Mindy directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

You’re protected
on Good Dog

When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.

What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • AKC registration
      • Food & treats
      • Toys
      • Initial potty training
      • Basic obedience & manners

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Mindy.

Breeder's location

Meet in Kettering, OH

Other pick-up locations

Meet at John Glenn Columbus Airport

Meet in Dayton, OH

More about Mindy

  • Mindy has been a member of Good Dog for 9 months

    Mindy was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.

  • Mindy’s links

Mindy is a trusted Good Dog breeder

The Ruff Life Tribe meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

All breeds

Shih Tzu

Lhasa Apso

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Excellent level

The Ruff Life Tribe reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Shih Tzus.

  • DNA Disease Panel, DNA Coat/Trait Panel, DNA Profile

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Mindy to bring home their puppies.

  • Charlene D.

    Verified owner · June 2026

    I found Mindy while searching for a Shih Tzu and let me just say if anyone is looking for one I highly recommend her! From the first time I contacted her she has been very responsive and helpful. She truly loves her dogs as much as her own children. She did a video call with me to meet her and my wonderful new dog Remy. She kept me updated with videos and pictures leading up to the day we got him. She answered every question I had and still will even though I have him with me now. She trains her dogs very well works with them every single day and gets the best care for them from a reproductive vet. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her as getting a dog through a breeder can be difficult but I can honestly say that she is 💯 a great breeder you won’t be disappointed and if I am ever looking for another Shih Tzu I will definitely be in contact with her. Thank you Mindy for all your hard work and dedication to your puppies and I can’t thank you enough for my sweet little Remy!

    Karen T.

    Verified owner · Mar. 2026

      • +4

    Zeke gives pure joy to everyone he meets. He is well socialized and comfortable meeting new people. He loves to play and run. Mindy gave us details about his parents including their DNA analysis. It was an easy process to pick up Zeke. She even sent a blanket with his parent’s scent for comfort.

    Maya B.

    Verified owner · Feb. 2026

    Mindy is one of the kindest and most nurturing and passionate people I’ve met. She sent lots of pictures throughout the weeks leading to my adoption. She was flexible with our meetup and time and left us with a goody bag full of helpful tools and toys for a successful transition. I can tell she worked hard with the puppies before handing mine off. She already knows how to use her potty pads!

  • CV

    Catherine V.

    Verified owner · May 2026

    When I discovered Mindy's listing on Good Dog, I found everything I was looking for but never expected to find in one breeder. Her parent dogs all look healthy and well cared for. Mindy takes her dogs to a reproductive specialist so moms and puppies get the best medical attention. The puppies receive loving human contact from the day they are born. During the first two weeks the puppies receive early neurological stimulation and by the time they are seven weeks they have been introduced to many different people, places, surfaces and sounds. This helps them adjust to the many new experiences they face when they are adopted. Our Daphne Rose is definitely a "people dog". She interacts well with everyone she meets. Her groomer says she is a well raised puppy. Two things I especially appreciate about Mindy's puppy training are the introduction to pee pads and a consistent bedtime. Now that Daphne has adapted to her new home she is almost 100% on using a pee pad. At bedtime we put Daphne in her playpen, give her a snuggle puppy and turn down the lights. She quickly settles down and we seldom hear a sound all night. Mindy truly loves her puppies and provides them with a great start in life.

    Dena S.

    Verified owner · Feb. 2026

    Working with this breeder was such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Mindy was kind, communicative, and truly cared about the puppies. It was clear our puppy was raised in a loving environment, he came to us happy and well socialized, which gave us so much peace of mind. Mindy took the time to answer our questions and made sure we felt prepared, and you can tell she is passionate about what she does. We are so grateful for such a smooth, positive experience and would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a well-loved puppy.

    Ally S.

    Verified owner · Feb. 2026

    Mindy is incredible. The love she has for all her puppies go beyond just the drop off. Her compassionate and understanding of constantly sending me pictures of updates of my puppy I loved seeing until I was able to pick him up. Mindy is amazing and does so good for her dogs.

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Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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