Adoption information
I've been adopted!
About Chen
Chen — A Happy Little Larrikin
Born: 17 November 2025
Breed: Chi-Chi x Maltese Shih Tzu mix
Desexed: Yes
Weight: 7.7 kgs
Adoption is by online application only:
https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/
Meet Chen, a beautiful little companion dog with a happy heart, a playful nature and a very special way of brightening the day.
Chen came into care as a young puppy and has stayed with us a little longer than expected because he needed a hernia repair. This has now been attended to at the same time as his desexing, and Chen is ready to find the loving home he deserves.
His foster mum describes him as a beautiful dog — playful, friendly, house-trained and very good with other dogs and cats. In her words, Chen is “a happy little larrikin who brightens your day”.
Chen has grown since some of these photos were taken, but we’ve included them because they show his sweet little face and happy personality so well. He is now desexed, has had his hernia repair and is ready for adoption — still the same beautiful, playful little boy, just a little more grown up.
Chen’s dad is a Chi-Chi, which is a Chinese Crested Dog x Chihuahua, and his mum is a Maltese x Shih Tzu. It is a lovely blend of small companion breeds known for affection, loyalty, playfulness and strong bonds with their people.
Chen is very much an indoor companion dog. He enjoys playtime and activity, but what he really wants is to be part of the family. He would be well suited to a home where he is included in everyday life, given plenty of affection and treated as a much-loved little mate.
Chen is house-trained and living happily in foster care with other dogs and cats. He has also been around visiting grandchildren, making him a lovely option for a family looking for a small, friendly dog with a cheerful nature and a big personality.
Chen’s ideal home:
✔ Indoor companion lifestyle
✔ Secure fencing
✔ Kind, loving people
✔ Dog-friendly home welcome
✔ Cat-friendly home welcome
✔ Children welcome, with sensible supervision
✔ Plenty of play, affection and family inclusion
Chen is a sweet, funny and affectionate little dog who has grown into a very special boy. If you are looking for a playful, friendly companion who will bring joy, character and a little bit of cheekiness into your home, Chen may be the one.
Adoption is by online application only:
https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/
Medical notes
No known pre-existing conditions.
11 June 2026 - Chen underwent castration and hernia repair surgery.
Heartworm disease is uncommon in the Southern Downs, so ARK does not routinely heartworm test or administer heartworm prevention to dogs in our care. Should a successful applicant wish to have a heartworm test performed before adoption, we are happy to arrange this.
Watch videos of Chen
Adoption details
Dogs:
(1) The first step is to complete the online adoption application form at https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/ Please answer all questions and include photos of your yard and fencing.
(2) All applications will be considered by our Adoption Team, following which a "meet and greet" will be offered to the top-ranking applicant.
(3) If the “meet and greet" is successful, the applicant may adopt the dog and take him or her home the same day.
(4) For successful interstate applicants, different arrangements may apply and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Cats:
If you are interested in one of our cats or kittens, please click on the green "Enquire about ...", button, tell us a bit about yourself and the home you can offer the cat, and one of our volunteers will be in touch.
This pet has been adopted and found love with its new family.