Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Needs special attention,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Charlie. This gorgeous boy with the striking marbled coat came from a breeder in a small town outside Charlotte, NC. Charlie is a double merle, which occurs when two merle-patterned dogs are bred together and can result in vision loss. Because of his limited sight, the breeder was unable to sell him and listed him on a Facebook rehoming page. Thankfully, one of our local volunteers, Dina, saw the post and stepped in to get Charlie safely into rescue. Charlie has been in Dina’s home for the past two months and is fully integrated into her pack of 5 pups. He’s best paired with a playful dog his size or larger, because this young boy loves to wrestle and play. While he is technically blind, Dina believes he can see shapes and shadows, and his limited vision doesn’t slow him down one bit. It’s the only life he’s ever known, and he fully embraces it. Dina has been amazed by how adaptable Charlie is, both at home and out on walks. Within just a week, he learned to climb her non-carpeted stairs (she still carries him down to be safe!). He navigates the world using his strong sense of smell and hearing and lives life like any other happy, confident dog. He's mostly potty-trained but needs regular breaks and has been exposed to the crate for short periods of time. Dina shared this update: “Charlie is a snuggly pup, and Shih Tzus are very social dogs. He loves to bury his nose near your cheek and sleeps well through the night, cuddling in bed with me. He takes after the Shih Tzu personality more than the poodle. He loves being picked up, too. When you pick him up, he tilts his head back like Stevie Wonder. He’s playful but not overly energetic and loves all kinds of toys, especially ones that make noise when they hit the floor, like squeaks, rattles, or crunchy plastic bottle sounds. That helps him find them quickly. He has moderate energy. He plays with my dog Bentley or enjoys zoomies in an open grassy area. He also keeps himself busy with a Benebone, bully stick, or lick mat, then happily settles on the couch or floor.” Charlie’s ideal home would include a fenced yard for zoomies and another playful canine companion. Like any dog, he’ll need a gradual introduction to a new home—and with limited vision, taking things a bit slower is important. Starting with one safe room and gradually expanding his access helps him learn his surroundings. When introducing other pets, moving slowly and using jingling tags can help Charlie hear them approaching and feel more comfortable initiating interactions. He’s also best walked on a short leash for added guidance and security. Charlie is joyful, fearless, and ready for a home that will Apply today! BEED ESTIMATE: ShihPoo (Shih Tzu/Poodle Mix) GENDER: Male APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 19 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~1 year old COAT TYPE: longer coat that needs regular grooming. ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: UTD on shots/neutered/microchipped LOCATION: Reston, VA FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. February 21, 2026, 1:10 pm
