The Ruff Life Tribe

Mindy S.

Breeder of Companion Crosses, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos

  • Kettering, OH ·
  • Responds within a few hours

Available puppies

Coral

Ready Sept. 19

6 weeks old · Female

Zora

Ready Sept. 19

6 weeks old · Female

Peppa

Ready Sept. 19

6 weeks old · Female

Glitter

Ready Sept. 19

6 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?

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

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

    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
      • AKC registration
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • 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

·

Meet in Columbus, OH

4243 miles away

·

More about Mindy

  • Mindy has been a member of Good Dog for 11 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.

  • 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.

    Ashley L.

    Verified owner · Aug. 2026

    We absolutely love our puppy, Ella! ❤️ From the moment we brought her home, it was clear how much time and care Mindy had put into socializing and preparing her. Ella is wonderful with our children, handles new experiences so well, isn’t even bothered by fireworks, and sleeps through the entire night! Mindy was incredibly responsive throughout the entire process, kept us updated, and made bringing Ella home such a wonderful experience. We couldn’t be happier with our puppy and our experience with Mindy and Good Dog. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a happy, well-socialized, and lovingly raised puppy! 🐾

    Kimberly M.

    Verified owner · July 2026

    I really appreciate Mindy and all she does to take care of her puppies. Mindy communicates often and easily. Even when things didn't go to plan she had the puppies best interest at heart and communicated often with me. Josie is a confident, happy puppy who loves to play, enjoys every person she meets and has yet to show any anxiety or fear. She is smart and loving and fits into our family perfectly. Mindy was vital in making that happen!

  • 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.

    Shelly P.

    Verified owner · July 2026

      • +4

    I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience with Mindy. From the very beginning, I knew I wasn’t just buying a puppy—I was welcoming a new family member into my life, and she made that experience so special. It is obvious the love and dedication Mindy has for every single one of her dogs. You can immediately tell that breeding isn’t just something she does—it’s something she pours her heart into. Every question I had was answered with kindness and honesty. The day I brought my puppy home, I could see the difference that all of her hard work had made. Lucy came home healthy, happy, confident, well-socialized, and already so full of love. It’s obvious that these puppies are raised with incredible care, attention, and affection from the moment they are born. Mindy truly cares about every puppy she brings into this world and every family they become a part of. I am beyond grateful that I found her. She gave me an amazing puppy who has already brought so much joy, laughter, and love into my home. I would choose her again without hesitation and will forever be thankful for the beautiful puppy she entrusted to me.

    Ron M.

    Verified owner · July 2026

    Mindy was excellent! We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Her communication and sharing updates on Oliver was fantastic. Our puppy is acclimating well, he is very loved by our entire family. I would have to credit Mindy with all of the work that she does with the puppies to make their transition to their new families as easy as can be.

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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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