Shepherd and Collie Dogs Available for Adoption in Los Gatos, California

🐾 MEET CEDAR 🐾 "He survived the desert. Now he's just out here living his best life — and waiting to share it with you."

📌 Age: ~10 weeks | Mix: Shepherd × Collie × Husky × Cattle Dog | Size: Will grow to medium-large
✅ Dog Friendly | ✅ Kid Friendly | ✅ Cat Friendly

His story
Somewhere on the Navajo Nation in the Arizona desert, seven tiny puppies decided they weren't done yet. No mom. No shelter. No food or water. Just open sky, baking heat, and seven little lives holding on to each other with everything they had.

One of those puppies is Cedar. And not only did he make it — he arrived with a grin on his face and LUV in his eyes. The desert tried to break him and instead he showed up to his foster home ready to zoom across the grass, wrestle his siblings, and then melt into your lap like he's been there his whole life. Because in his mind? He already has.

Who he is
Cedar is the puppy who exists in two modes, and both of them will destroy you completely.

Mode one: pure, unfiltered joy. That's the Cedar who tears across a green lawn with his tail spinning like a propeller, mouth wide open, ears flopping, absolutely convinced that right now is the best moment that has ever happened. The Cedar who plays so hard with his brother that someone's going to need a nap. The Cedar who makes everyone around him feel like life is actually pretty great.

Mode two: the one that gets you. That's the Cedar who sits down, goes still, and turns those big, deep, amber-brown eyes directly on your face — and just looks at you. Steady. Warm. Like he's known you forever and he's glad you finally showed up.

Tan and gold with a bold white blaze and white-tipped paws, Cedar is handsome in that effortless, doesn't-know-it way. Shepherd smarts. Collie loyalty. Husky spirit. Cattle dog grit. He's going to grow into something truly special, and whoever gets him is going to spend the rest of their life feeling like they won something.

What he needs
Cedar will grow into a medium-to-large dog with a playful spirit, a working dog brain, and an enormous capacity to LUV. He'll thrive with a family who wants a dog who's equally down for an adventure and a cuddle — because Cedar doesn't believe in choosing. He wants it all, with you, all the time.
He wore that "CUDDLY" tag on his very first day in the world outside the desert. He already knew who he was.

The only thing missing? Someone to come home to.

Ready to fall in LUV? Fill out an application at muttluvrescue.org.

All Mutt Luv Rescue pups receive a full health checkup, heartworm and parasite testing, are fully vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered before adoption.

The Collie is a graceful and intelligent dog known for their loyalty, gentle nature, and exceptional herding abilities. They come in two coat varieties, rough and smooth, with colors ranging from sable and white to blue merle. Collies excel in obedience training and thrive on mental stimulation and physical activity. Their keen intuition and strong bond with their owners make them wonderful family pets and reliable working dogs in tasks such as herding livestock or in search and rescue missions.

The shepherd dog breed encompasses a versatile group known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic. With a heritage deeply rooted in herding and protecting livestock, shepherds excel at various tasks ranging from obedience and agility competitions to search and rescue missions. Their protective nature makes them excellent family pets, offering unwavering devotion and a natural instinct to watch over and care for their loved ones. In addition to their remarkable abilities, shepherds are often characterized by their distinctive appearance, including a sturdy build, alert expression, and a signature double coat that provides insulation and protection in various climates.

We strive to be a sanctuary for animals and communities in need. Our primary mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and...