Layla Marie *Arriving 10/10* D12670 - Shih Tzu and Maltese Dog for Adoption

Meet Layla! This adorable 11-lb Shih Tzu is a little girl with a BIG personality and she's discovering, possibly for the first time, just how wonderful life can be when you're loved and cared for.

Layla has opinions. She loves to "talk" to her people and will happily get in your face to make sure you understand exactly what she wants. (Hint: it's usually food. ) Sometimes her talking turns into a very high-pitched little screech, but thankfully it generally lasts only a minute or so. Because of her vocal personality, she wouldn't be the best fit for apartment living.

Layla is also learning all about being a dog. She's learning to play and snuggle with her 50-lb foster sister puppy and has learned to respect the personal space of the grumpy senior pup and respectfully co-exist with the resident cats. Her favorite things include her beloved Lamby stuffed toy, her people, her food (of course!), and a good snuggle. She's a wonderful little cuddle bug and enjoys being close to her humans. She's also a good girl in her crate, although she may give you a brief high-pitched announcement before settling down.

Layla has come a long way from the skinny, itchy little dog who was found wandering all alone. She's healthy, happy, affectionate, and discovering her playful side - and now she's looking for someone who will love her quirky, talkative, food-motivated little self forever. Will that be you?

Layla is from Texas. They arrive in Minnesota on 10/10/2026 and will need to be picked up from the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton, MN between the hours of 9am and noon. Please plan for their arrival accordingly as we cannot accommodate pickups outside of this time frame. Since they haven't arrived yet, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start's Foster to Adopt (FTA) Program. Visit our Foster to Adopt Program page to learn more. Once they get to Minnesota, they might require further veterinary care. Ruff Start's veterinary suite is located in Princeton, MN, and, as the foster, you will be required to transport your dog to and from these vetting appointments.

The Maltese is a small toy breed known for its glamorous white coat, which is long, silky, and virtually hypoallergenic. They are gentle, affectionate companion dogs that thrive on human companionship and make wonderful family pets. Maltese dogs are playful, intelligent, and alert, with a confident demeanor despite their small size. They require regular grooming to maintain their luxurious coat and are suitable for apartment living due to their size and adaptability.

The Shih Tzu is a small, affectionate dog breed known for its distinctive appearance, with a luxurious double coat, a short muzzle, and large round eyes. Originally bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, Shih Tzus are friendly, outgoing, and loving pets. They are known for their playful and charming personality, making them great family pets and suitable for apartment living. With their low shedding coat and adorable face, Shih Tzus are popular among dog lovers worldwide.

Our vision is simple: We strive for a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving forever home...