The Ruff Life Tribe

Mindy S.

Breeder of Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, and Companion Crosses

  • Kettering, OH ·
  • Responds within an hour
  • 100% recommend •

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 Lhasa Apso puppies include parti, brindle, brown, white, liver, golden, black, and red gold. Shih Tzu puppies include sable, liver, white, liver and white, gold and white, black gold and silver, and brindle. 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. The remaining $700 - $2,100 is due at pickup, 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
      • AKC registration
      • Puppy starter kit
      • 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

4298 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at John Glenn Columbus Airport

4237 miles away

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Meet in Columbus, OH

4243 miles away

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More about Mindy

  • Mindy has been a member of Good Dog for about 1 year

    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

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.

  • Bridgett C.

    Verified owner · Oct. 2026

    We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Mindy and her family! From the very beginning, it was clear how much love and care goes into raising these precious puppies. Bodhi has brought so much joy to our lives, and we are so grateful to have found a breeder who truly cares about her dogs and the families they go home with. My vet was also very complimentary at Bodhi's first visit with him and most appreciative of all the info Mindy sent with me from her vet - impressed with Bodhi's breeding and physical condition, He gave an A+ rating It means so much to know our dog child had such a loving start in life. We would absolutely recommend Mindy to anyone

    Helen H.

    Verified owner · Oct. 2026

    Mindy was amazing to work with. She gave regular updates, was quick to respond and genuinely cared about her puppies and clients! Our Lily is so well socialized and everyone falls in love with her because she is so loving and fun! I’m so pleased with the experience!

    Brian T.

    Verified owner · Aug. 2026

    Mindy is truly the best. She loves her puppies and her commitment to their well-being shines through. Our little Cooper is healthy, curious and very well-adjusted. I credit Mindy and her program with giving our little guy the best possible start in life. We are very grateful.

  • MM

    Mara M.

    Verified owner · Oct. 2026

    I bought the sweetest cutest happiest puppy from Mindy Shirley in Ohio…Her name is Jessica Rae (Glitter)….She is 1/2 Shih Tzu 1/2 Lhasa Apso!!!….From the 1st time I spoke with Mindy…I could already tell that she was the “real deal”…..She is the most honest breeder that I have ever dealt with!!!!!!….She truly LOVES her puppies like no other breeder I have ever met!!!…You can tell this about her right away!!!!…My lil Jessica was exposed to many many new and exciting experiences before I ever received her!!!(Thanks to Mindy)…I received Jessica at 9 weeks old….At that time she was already potty trained on pee pee pads….And most importantly knew the words “ LEAVE IT”…..I had her in her lil harness walking like a pro on a leash going outside for pee pee’s/poopies in my front yard grass with in 3 days!!!🥳🥳🥳👍👍…..Mindy was beyond wonderful to work with!!!….She kept me informed of every Vet appointment and sent me updated pictures and videos through out the entire process!!!….I still to this day keep in contact with Mindy because she is an all around awesome human being!!!!!!!🥰👍👍…..I honestly feel “BLESSED” that Mindy sent me my new furry best friend!!!🫶🫶🫶🥰🥰🥰

    BH

    Barbara H.

    Verified owner · Sept. 2026

    Working with Mindy throughout this process has been nothing short of wonderful! After losing my Shih Tzu of 16 years a few years ago, I was finally ready to find a new dog to love. I knew I loved the Shih Tzu breed and wanted to find something similar, so after much searching, I ended up finding my puppy, Sadie, through Ruff Life Tribe. Mindy was ever so helpful and communicative to help me throughout the process. My puppy is so happy and healthy, and I highly recommend this breeder!!

    Kim S.

    Verified owner · Aug. 2026

    Thank you Mindy! For I have found the best companion in Gray. He is exactly as you had described…and enjoying retirement. I purchased an older pup from Mindy. She was easy to work with and very responsive to my questions. She provided me with honest answers and followed through with videos and/or documentation on everything I wanted to know before pickup. She also followed through after delivery. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a canine of any age.

Photos

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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