Shih Tzu puppies and dogs in Ontario

Crocus is a 7-year-old Shih-Tzu and a recent release from a puppy mill, now experiencing her very first taste of a life filled with patience, safety, and quiet kindness. She is a tender little soul who has survived years of neglect, and she is learning, at her own pace, that the world is not as frightening as it once seemed. Despite her difficult past, Crocus is slowly coming out of her shell and showing her gentle personality. She gets along beautifully with other small dogs, and she truly thrives when she has a calm canine companion to learn from. Their presence helps her feel safe, and she watches them closely as she figures out how to navigate this new world. With people, she shows small but meaningful signs of trust: following her foster into rooms, seeking treats, enjoying gentle conversation, and even allowing her foster to carefully trim her face after weeks of building confidence. These moments may seem small, but for Crocus, they are huge steps forward and proof of her attachment to her fosters. Because of her history, Crocus is extremely fearful of people and does not tolerate petting or physical handling at this stage of her healing. When she feels cornered or overwhelmed, she may use her teeth to defend herself, not out of meanness or aggression, but out of genuine fear. However, with slow and predictable routines, she continues to make progress. She can be gently and calmly corralled into a crate for travel, and she is steadily learning to trust the world around her. Her healing will not be fast, but it will be deeply rewarding for the right person. Crocus needs an exceptionally patient and understanding home, one that will honour her boundaries, move at her pace, and celebrate each tiny sign of progress. She will do best in an adult only home, with those that understand that she cannot be touched and her need for space. A confident dog in the home would be a tremendous comfort and guide for her. Since she does not walk on a leash yet, she will also need a secure, small outdoor area where she can safely go to the bathroom. With a compassionate adopter willing to give her time, space, and unconditional gentleness, Crocus will continue to grow and discover that she is finally safe and loved. Please visit our website www.preciouspawsrescue.ca to submit an adoption application.

For Adoption: Keaton! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. Let me introduce you to Keaton, the cutest little Shih Tzu/Poodle mix I’ve ever met! Keaton is about 2 years old and has a thick coat with beautiful black and white markings. He weighs about 13lbs and is an active little boy, ready to handle whatever his new family has to offer. He has bright, expressive eyes and a tail that rarely stops wagging. Keaton has a sweet personality and a curious nature that has helped him start to navigate his new life. Keaton spent the first part of his life making puppies in a large-scale breeding operation. We don’t know what kind of exposure he had to humans, but his socialization would have been minimal at best and as such he is still learning how to be a regular, family dog. Keaton is still very nervous about new people so he will be looking for a family who understands that he will not immediately be warm and cuddly with new people. He has bonded strongly with me and has become a velcro dog, but he is still very cautious of strangers. He is interactive in the house and loves to follow me everywhere but still runs to the safety of his crate if something makes him nervous like loud noises. He is looking for a family who can help him find his confidence while understanding that he is still a work in progress – and he has been continuously progressing! Although Keaton is still nervous about people, he has really started to become comfortable in the house. His crate is still his safe place, but he now prefers to be outside of the crate when I am home. He spends all of our time together proving his dedication by being as close to me as possible, always needing to have a paw on me to be sure I don’t move without notice! He has shown a bit of passing interest in toys, but nothing beats his person right now. He will be looking for a family who can help him find his place in the home, building confidence and resiliency. It’s easy to want to coddle a sweet boy like Keaton but his family needs to help him by building structure into his life so he can be comfortable navigating life beside you, not necessarily on top of you . Keaton is an incredibly quiet dog, and I have not yet heard him bark. He let out a few mournful howls and whines when he first arrived but as he’s settled this has not happened again. He is still learning to navigate stairs, but I think he would be good in any home environment as long as she has access to a suitable outdoor place to do his business. Keaton walks very well on the leash, staying beside me and not pulling. He is still afraid of other people who may approach but with some words of encouragement he is not shutting down and can keep on moving. He will need a family who is willing to keep working on these skills with him because I can see how much he enjoys the moments of peace he has while we are out walking. And after the relatively stagnant life he started out with, this boy deserves all the walks he can get! That being said, Keaton is not a dog who requires hours of exercise to be a well-behaved dog – he is just as happy to do his business in the yard and get back inside when the weather is less than ideal. He is very relaxed in the car and rides in a crate for his safety. As he continues to get more comfortable, I’m sure he could graduate to a booster seat or seat belt to keep him safe. Keaton took to house training immediately and has not had a single accident in the house, aside from a few episodes of gastro upset. He can do his business in the yard or on a walk without issues. He has not yet learned how to signal that he has to go out so his new family will need to take him out regularly while he learns the schedule of his new home. He also took to his crate right away and will need to have a crate in his new home. His crate has become his safe space where he stays while I am at work as well as overnight. He sleeps quietly and calmly all night, not making a peep. On the days that I work in the office he is crated for the morning and then again in the afternoon with a bathroom break midday. He has not had any issue handling this schedule. One of my favorite things about Keaton is his devotion to being a couch dog. It’s a treat to see him relax so fully when we are cuddled on the couch, knowing that this kind of comfort is still so new for him. I also love to watch him dance and dash around the house when it’s time for dinner. It’s clear that underneath his fear is an incredibly joyful boy and his new family is going to get to witness a beautiful transformation as Keaton finds his confidence and learns to trust. Part of this transformation will include enrolling in training classes as this will play in integral role in Keaton bonding with his new family and learning how to navigate the world. Keaton’s new family must understand this and be committed to his training. Keaton has a coat type that will require regular grooming so his new family has to be prepared to do what they can in the home and then find a suitable groomer for his more advance coat needs. As he continues to learn to tolerate being handled it will become easier to keep up with his brushing in the home to prevent any matting. Keaton is a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix, and I have found him to be a low shed dog. Keaton has been a perfect houseguest when it comes to the other dogs in the house and he enjoys their company. He does not seek them out for contact, but their presence has helped him learn the routines of the home. As such I think he could easily go to a home where there is another dog of similar size and energy. He could also be the only dog in the home, getting all of the attention and affection. He has not had any exposure to cats but as he has not shown any interest in chasing small animals outside I think he would be fine with cats, as long as the cat was dog-savvy and had a place to escape to if necessary while introductions are made. Keaton’s level of fear means that he needs to go to an adult only home – the noise and unpredictable movements of children would be too overwhelming for this sensitive boy. As Keaton is still quite afraid, he will continue to be a flight risk so everyone in the home needs to be aware of responsible steps to keep him safe. Keaton seems to know his name at this point and will come when I call him. He also knows the routines of our home around mealtimes and outdoor time. He knows to go into his crate for a treat and will easily take a treat from my hand now. Any other tricks or skills are still to be learned with his new family! Keaton saw our vet where he was neutered and healed well. He received all the necessary vaccines and tests and was also microchipped. His teeth were checked and the vet noted that there were no mobile or fractured teeth to necessitate immediate action. Keaton has had a few episodes of stomach upset in the weeks that he has been in foster care. He is eating a high-quality food now, supplemented with some dietary fibre and probiotics and he seems to be past it. It will be very important that he stays on this regimen as his system continues to heal from years of subpar nutrition. So, I come to the end of my bio for Keaton, and I am even more in love with him than I was when I started. Although he has some road ahead of him, he has already shown so much bravery and determination. Keaton needs a soft place where he can feel love and patience while he builds his confidence. He needs a family committed to his training, both professionally and in the home. He needs a new life where he is cherished as a pet and encouraged to explore his new world. And he needs a big, comfy couch! If this sounds like something you can offer and you’re ready for the next great love of your life then please fill out an application for this sweet boy, I’d love to talk to you more about him. Name: Keaton ID # PDR1443 Age: 2yrs Gender: male Neutered: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: ShihTzu/Poodle Colours: black and white Coat length: med House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: no OK with cats: yes Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: small Location: Kitchener Adoption fee: $800

***REMINDER:  Please read the bio requirements and only fill in the application if you can meet ALL requirements. Due to the number of applications being received for each dog, we are only able to contact the applicants who have met ALL the listed Requirements*** Emma is bonded with Sadie 4804 and they must be adopted together Name/Tag: Emma 4803 Age: 2 Years Sex/Altered: Female / Spayed Weight: 13 lbs (but currently doing well on Doggie Weight Watchers) Breed: Shih Tzu Foster home location: OTTAWA, On Adoption Fee: $750.00 each Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, outgoing, curious Activity/Energy Level: Low to moderate (low in the house, moderate on a walk) Up to date on Shots: Yes Housebroken: Yes, with occasional accidents Crate Trained: Unknown Okay with Dogs: Yes Okay with Cats: Unknown (she is respectful in her interactions with the resident Chihuahua so I believe she would be okay with cats or other small animals) Okay with Kids: Yes, kids over 6 years respectful of animals Origin: Owner:  Owner Surrender Requirements:  Securely fenced yard, someone home part of the day, no kids under 6 years   From Emma: Wanted: Castle and Full-time Staff for Adorable Princesses. My mommy got too sick to take care of my sister, Sadie, and me so my family called Loyal who moved us into a temporary castle. I love it here. There is a Chihuahua and a Pitbull  and they’re so cool and the house lady is really fun and makes us good food. Sadie and I love to play ‘keep away’ in my house lady’s big backyard. It’s so funny because we ignore her for a bit, then wait for her to put on her coat and boots and open the back door before we run up the steps. LOL. The house lady has squirrels and rabbits that we love to chase and bark at. I hope my new castle will have woodland creatures! We go for lots of walks so I’ve already lost some weight and I’m feeling better.   From the Foster: I’ve never had easier houseguests. Emma and Sadie are absolute lovebugs who want nothing more than to snuggle with their people and each other (and any other resident critter). Emma’s family reached out to Loyal who readily arranged for her and Sadie to come into care in November. Emma quickly adapted and began to thrive. She and Sadie are energetic and curious adventurers who love their daily walks and exploring the garden. Daily walks and in/outdoor playtime are encouraged to help them on their weight loss journey. Emma is extremely affectionate (no nose or cheek is safe from her kisses!) and her bum constantly wiggles. She is quiet but will bark when Sadie alerts to danger in the form of squirrels or bunnies. Emma constantly looks to Sadie for comfort and guidance so they are searching for a royal family looking to adopt two princesses. They’ve had a few accidents in the house likely because, as I understand it, they were left alone for long stretches of time while their person was in hospital. With regular turnouts, walks, pee pads and positive correction, I anticipate the behaviour will be easy to correct. While their origin story is one of two girls and their loving Queen Mom, highly adaptable and resilient, I believe they would do well in a variety of home situations. Questions? Contact us at: www.loyalrescue.com/contactUs.php For Adoption Application please visit: www.loyalrescue.com/application.php Thank you for considering a rescue dog! December 14, 2025, 5:10 pm

***REMINDER:  Please read the bio requirements and only fill in the application if you can meet ALL requirements. Due to the number of applications being received for each dog, we are only able to contact the applicants who have met ALL the listed Requirements*** Sadie is bonded with Emma 4803 and they must be adopted together Name/Tag: Sadie 4804 Age: 3 Years Sex/Altered: Female / Spayed Weight: 18 lbs (and currently doing well on Doggie Weight Watchers) Breed: Shih Tzu Foster home location: OTTAWA. ON Adoption Fee: $750.00 each Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, outgoing, curious Activity/Energy Level: Low to moderate (low in the house, moderate on a walk) Up to date on Shots: Yes Housebroken: Yes, with occasional accidents Crate Trained: Unknown Okay with Dogs: Yes Okay with Cats: Unknown (she is respectful in her interactions with the resident Chihuahua so should be okay with cats) Okay with Kids: Yes, respectful kids over 6 years Origin: Owner Surrender Requirements: Securely fenced yard, someone home at least part of the day, no kids under 6 years   From Sadie Wanted: Castle and Full-time Staff for Adorable Princesses. My mommy got too sick to take care of my sister, Emma, and me so my family called Loyal who moved us into a temporary castle. I love it here! There is a Chihuahua and a Pitbull and they’re so cool and the house lady is really fun and makes us good food. Emma and I love to play ‘keep away’ in my house lady’s big backyard. It’s so funny because we ignore her for a bit, then wait for her to put on her coat and boots and open the back door before we run up the steps. LOL. The house lady has squirrels and rabbits that we love to chase and bark at. I hope my new castle will have woodland creatures too! We go for lots of walks, so I’ve already lost a bit of weight and I’m feeling better.   From the Foster: I’ve never had easier houseguests. Emma and Sadie are absolute lovebugs who want nothing more than to snuggle with their people and each other (and any other resident critter). Sadie’s family reached out to Loyal who readily arranged for her and Emma to come into care in November. Sadie quickly adapted and began to thrive. She and Emma are energetic and curious adventurers who love their daily walks and exploring the garden. Daily walks and in/outdoor playtime are encouraged to help them on their weight loss journey. This little lady is extremely affectionate whose bum wiggles constantly. Sadie is an environmental dog - showering becomes optional thanks to all her kisses! She is quiet in the house but will bark when she senses danger (this is generally in the form of squirrels or bunnies) in the yard. Emma constantly looks to Sadie for comfort and guidance, so they are searching for a royal family looking to adopt two princesses. Questions? Contact us at: www.loyalrescue.com/contactUs.php For Adoption Application please visit: www.loyalrescue.com/application.php Thank you for considering a rescue dog! December 14, 2025, 5:10 pm

Name: Breed: Age: Gender: Weight: Good with cats or Small Animals: Good with dogs: Good with Young Children: Good with Older Children: Fenced Yard Required: Crate-Trained: House Trained: Name: Honey Breed: Shih Ztu mix DOB: 06/18/2023 Gender: Female (spayed) Weight: 5 KG Good with cats: unknown Good with dogs: Yes, would love to have a furry friend! Good with Children: older children Fenced Yard Required: Yes Crate-Trained: Yes House Trained:  working on it Location: London, Ontario You must complete an adoption application to be considered for adopting Honey  https://www.animalert.ca/apply/dog-adoption Honey is a charming and affectionate two-year-old Shih Tzu mix who is currently seeking a permanent home. She exhibits a playful demeanor and enjoys the company of other dogs, and it is believed that she would also adapt well to living with cats. Honey has a tendency to sleep on the bed, indicating her desire for closeness with her companions. Although she is somewhat timid and demonstrates a preference for women, she is expected to acclimate to men over time. Additionally, she shows reluctance towards car rides; however, it is anticipated that she will become more comfortable with this experience as she gains confidence. Honey remains cautious around loud noises, such as passing buses, but she is making progress in her ability to walk outside. It is important to note that she is not fully house-trained, as she does not yet signal when she needs to relieve herself. Nevertheless, when left alone in the house, she does not exhibit destructive behavior, demonstrating that she is a well-behaved companion. Honey’s adoption fee will $650.00 and will include her health records.  Honey has been vaccinated, microchipped, spayed and has received monthly preventatives. If you are interested in adopting Honey, please complete our online adoption application at this link: https://www.animalert.ca/apply/dog-adoption If you wish to learn more about Animalert, please visit our website at     https://www.animalert.ca/ Due to the volume of emails, phone calls and messages Animalert receives, it is not always possible to respond to every application. We do review every application.  We will only be contacting applications that we feel are a match for the pet they are applying for.  Thank you for your understanding.    * Please note - we may take 24-48 hours to respond, adoption will be to approved homes only, we reserve the right to deny adoption to anyone without providing a reason. Animalert does not adopt outside of Canada. * If you are interested in providing a forever home, please complete the online adoption application at this link, https://www.animalert.ca/apply/dog-adoption. If you are interested in learning more about Animalert Please visit our website at       http://animalert.ca Due to the volume of emails, phone calls and messages Animalert receives, it is not always possible to respond to every application. We do review every application. We will only be contacting applications that we feel are a match for the pet they are applying for. Thank you for your understanding.   Only those who complete an adoption application will be considered for adoption.     * Please note - we may take 24-48 hours to respond, adoption will be approved to approved homes only, we reserve the right to deny adoption to anyone without providing a reason. Animalert does not adopt outside of Canada at this time. *   December 8, 2025, 7:18 am

Sadie was surrendered by a senior man who was going for surgery in the hospital. He couldn't take care of her anymore. Sadie had to be shaved down as very matted. She got spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, teeth cleaned, microchipped, and Snap 4dx tested. She is now ready to find a forever home. If interested, please email dcdgavel@gmail.com for an adoption application.