How to Find Small Dogs for Adoption

Are you looking for a place that offers small dogs for adoption? From kennels to pet stores to breeders, there are a plethora of ways to find a new friend to take home. Each of them, as well as the dog training necessary for puppies, has its own benefits and pitfalls. Before you find the perfect one and make a commitment on the spot, take a moment to consider the sources of small dogs for adoption and decide which method is best for you and your family, as well as for the animal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Decide first whether you will be wanting a purebred or mixed breed. Breeders specialize in one or two particular breeds of dog, which they raise to sell. If you have a particular breed in mind, the American Kennel Club can point you in the right direction to finding a breeder near you who deals with the particular dog breed you are interested in and can assist you in finding small dogs for adoption. Many of them also run the puppies through rudimentary dog training before they are sold.

2. 
    
   Dog Training is Necessary for Puppies

   Look into breed rescue groups if you are interested in a purebred dog. Rescue groups tend to each care for one particular breed of dog. These animals were either abandoned, neglected, or came from a home where the owners simply couldn't care for them. There is a fee involved to cover the medical care that the animals received while they were being cared for, but they are a great source of small dogs for adoption that are both purebred and not nearly as expensive as you will find at a breeder’s.

3. 
    

   Avoid pet stores for purebred dogs. These dogs tend to come from "puppy mills," where puppies are bred in very crowded, sometimes very unsanitary conditions and are treated more like factory products than living creatures. These poor animals are still in need of good homes, but it's wrong to encourage the types of practices that produce them. Pet stores can still have great small dogs for adoption that were brought in from the community, but are not the ideal place to go.

4. 
    

   Check your local animal shelter or Humane Society. Most of these dogs are mixed breed and were either abandoned or picked up as strays. These organizations are primarily run by volunteers who genuinely care about the dogs and want to ensure that they go to good homes. There is an adoption fee to cover the basic medical care that they received, which usually includes spaying or neutering.

5. 
    

   Check your local classifieds and bulletin boards. These are great resources for small dogs for adoption if you are unable to afford the fees at the other places, as there are usually a number of ads for free puppies to good homes. Caution must be taken, however, to make sure that the puppies did indeed come from a good home and are not suffering from any major health problems. This is also a good resource for finding local breeders and providers of dog training.

Tips & Warnings

• Small dogs are more fragile than larger ones. If you have children, make sure that they do not accidentally hurt the dog.
• Small dogs can try to make up for their small size with a loud, aggressive personality. Be warned that a small one may be much more of a barker than a larger one if taken through sufficient dog training.

Resources

• American Kennel Club

[BHolmes]

on 2/1/2009 Good article...our local humane society seems to just have pit bull mixes!

[ChrissLJ]

on 2/1/2009 I absolutely agree about avoiding pet stores. No reputable breeder would EVER sell their dogs to a pet store. My oldest girl is a mini rescued dog (avatar) and the absolute joy of my life. She is also a WONDERFUL watch dog due to her barking abilities and keen sense of hearing. 5*

[Vanillatte]

on 2/1/2009 Excellent tips for finding a small dog for adoption! 5*

[Gottaloveit]

on 2/1/2009 Your tip about avoiding pet stores is the best. Thanks.