Sadly, many adorable, lovable and wonderful dogs end up in shelters, waiting patiently for their forever homes. For a variety of reasons, certain breeds are more likely to wind up in shelters than others through absolutely no fault of their own.
Swipe through to learn about dog breeds commonly found in shelters.
These athletic terriers have an unfair reputation for being mean or dangerous. Unfortunately, many pit bulls are abused for this reason and this breed can have a harder time trusting humans, contributing to their high populations in shelters. When treated humanely, pit bulls make for an affectionate and loyal companion.
This adorable stubby-legged breed often comes with a stubbornness and affinity to dig, originating from its ancestors, which were bred to hunt badgers. Along with a higher propensity to medical issues, many owners are surprised at or unprepared for the amount of personality contained in these small dogs, which may make them more challenging. Dachshunds are surrendered to shelters at a high rate, but they are clever and loyal as pets.
Perhaps the poster child for small dogs, Chihuahuas’ modest stature has made them a very popular dog in cities, where there is less room to roam. Thanks in part to celebrities, they’ve also been subject to use as a fashion accessory instead of a sensitive animal. Though often timid at first, these dogs can be great pets with proper care.
Unlike chihuahuas, German shepherds are large and powerful, contributing to their reputation as a guard or police dog. However, like their smaller cousins, this loving and highly trainable breed makes for an affectionate, and popular, family dog. As with labs, this leads to overbreeding and, along with owners who aren’t willing or able to give these dogs the attention or care they need, larger numbers of German shepherds in shelters.
Labrador retrievers, or Labs for short, have been the most popular dog breed in the United States for almost three decades, which has the disappointing side effect of this breed being overbred and ending up in shelters in large numbers. Many black labs are also passed up at shelters in favor of dogs with lighter coats. Still, any lab owner can attest to how loving and energetic these pooches are.
Boxers, like pit bulls, are often mistrusted because of their muscular build and what some perceive as a mean face, but they’re no less sweet and great for families. Prospective owners of a boxer should be prepared, however, for the amount of attention and exercise these dogs require; they can become dangerous if not cared for properly.
As it were, many of the dogs you’d find in a shelter are a mix of two or more breeds, which is itself what makes them undesirable for those looking for a purebred pooch. Mixed-breed dogs are naturally less predictable than their purebred counterparts, but they still make fantastic furry friends and, in some cases, allow you to get the best of multiple breeds.