Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING**
For Adoption: Mugsy!
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/.
It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Mugsy. From the moment we saw her sweet little face and adorable underbite, we were smitten — and the name “Mugsy” felt like the perfect fit for a girl with such a cute little mug. She is a 2.5-year-old Shih Tzu with soft grey and white fur, weighing about 10 pounds. This tiny lady may be small, but she has a wonderfully curious and quietly brave spirit.
Mugsy was rescued from a commercial breeding program where she had never experienced kindness or love. When she first arrived, she was completely shut down. Slowly, with patience and gentleness — and thanks to her natural curiosity — she has begun to blossom. Today, she is a hopeful, sweet little girl who is learning that the world can be a safe and loving place.
Mugsy thrives with a slow, gentle approach. Sudden movements or fast approaches can startle her, so she needs a calm home where patience and understanding are part of everyday life. She loves treats and will sometimes take one from your hand — we continue to work on building her confidence and trust, and she makes small, beautiful strides every day.
She is generally a quiet dog. She may give an alert bark if someone unfamiliar is nearby, but she settles quickly. On walks, Mugsy happily trots along behind you with no pulling (unless she hits the brakes for a bathroom break!). She usually takes care of business early in the walk and does so reliably.
When Mugsy was rescued, her coat had to be shaved very short due to severe matting and neglect. As her soft fur grows back in, she will require regular brushing and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. During her spay preparation, her skin was reactive to clippers, so her groomer will need to be mindful of her sensitive skin.
Mugsy is doing very well with house training. She keeps her crate clean and waits to go outside. She goes out first thing in the morning after cuddles and usually potties right away. She typically has one bowel movement per day, often in the evening. She does not yet know how to signal when she needs to go out, but if you watch closely, you’ll see her become a little restless. With consistency, she will continue to improve.
She is crate trained and sleeps quietly through the night. During the day, she is crated when left alone for her safety. She may make a little noise, though it’s hard to say whether that’s just in response to my own dogs chatting when I’m out. She has just found her voice and does howl when she feels threatened but is easily distracted from barking.
She is a chewer, so, you'll need to provide several appropriate chewing choices. She likes her chew toys and its so nice for her to now have this option for a good chew. She would like to explore all different kinds of chew toy options.
Mugsy has been a wonderful travel companion. She calmly sits or lies down in her tethered car seat and handles car rides beautifully.
She currently lives with two small dogs. She eats and sleeps alongside them and even tries to initiate play. She would likely do well in a home with another calm dog or as a cherished only dog. She has not been tested with cats, though we do expect she will be just fine with a dog savvy cat.
Because Mugsy is still gaining confidence, a home with older, calm children (over 10yrs of age) but an adult only home would be best for her. Fast movements and unpredictable behaviour will overwhelm her. She is still learning how to “be a dog” and is just beginning to explore play. She would like a quiet and calm home in which to flourish.
We continue to help Mugsy adjust to home life. The television no longer bothers her and house noises no longer startle her. She would benefit from positive, gentle obedience training to build confidence, strengthen recall, and help her continue blossoming.
Mugsy is up to date on her vaccinations, had a great recent vet check, and recovered beautifully from her spay surgery.
More than anything, Mugsy is looking for someone to love. She would thrive in a quiet, moderately active home where she can devote herself to her person or couple. She is a tender-hearted, loving little girl who simply wants a safe place to belong — and a family to call her own.
Name: Mugsy
ID # PDR1471
Age: 2.5yrs
Gender: female
Spayed: yes
UTD vaccines: yes
Breed: ShihTzu
Colours: white and grey
Coat length: med
House trained: yes
Special needs: no
OK with kids: teens
OK with cats: yes
Ok with dogs: yes (small dogs)
Status: adoptable
Microchip: yes
Size: small
Location: Ayr
Adoption fee: $800
