Mabel the Rescue Dog

3 min read (Articles narrated by Mabel)

Sadly, there are a lot of dogs at shelters. Too many people are buying puppies and not enough people are adopting. In many cases, the breeds of these dogs are somewhat random, and they’re all surrendered for different reasons. However, there seems to be a few breeds that are much easier to find at shelters than others.

Dog Breeds Commonly Found in Shelters

It’s heartbreaking to think that some breeds are abandoned more than others, especially when humans continue to surrender these breeds without thinking twice.

Of course, every shelter and rescue has different dogs. Different locations also have different dogs in their care, but overall, these ten dog breeds are often found in shelters more than others:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Labrador Retriever
• Chihuahua
• American Bulldog
• German Shepherd
• Boxer
• Beagle
• Dachshund
• Jack Russell Terrier

Why are These Dogs Often Looking for Homes?

There isn’t just one explanation for this. However, I can make some educated guesses. First of all, these breeds usually shed at least a little bit. I know it might seem like an insignificant thing to some, but many people find low shedding dogs like me more desirable. That’s why you’ll see dogs like Shih Tzus or Poodles get adopted much faster.

For some of these breeds, like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the German Shepherd, they get overlooked because of their reputations. Sadly, there are so many rumors about some breeds, which makes it harder for them to find homes. Oftentimes, these breeds are just as lovable as any other breed, but humans don’t give them a chance because of ridiculous stereotypes.

Then, for other breeds like the Labrador Retriever and Chihuahua, it could be due to popularity. Labs are one of the most popular breeds out there, yet they’re still up for adoption a lot. This is because their high demand causes humans to breed them more, which only adds to the dog overpopulation problem.

Sadly, less desirable coat colors, such as black instead of gold, causes dogs like Labs to get overlooked too. Also, many humans lose interest in their older dogs, which is unfortunately why senior Chihuahuas are often at shelters.

For other popular breeds like the Boxer and Jack Russell Terrier, it could be because the dogs weren’t what the families were expecting. Both of these breeds are usually lovable, but they have A LOT of energy. Some people choose a dog based on looks, but then when the dog misbehaves or acts too crazy, they turn their backs on them. The fact that anyone would treat a dog that way is horrifying!

Dogs are Lifelong Family Members

All of the above reasons are terrible reasons for giving up a dog. Yet, they’re still a reality. Many humans overlook dogs or give up on their dogs simply because things didn’t go as planned. However, this is never okay, and the breed of those dogs shouldn’t matter.

When you bring a new dog home, you’re bringing home a lifelong family member. That dog will be with you through every up and down in life, and nothing should be able to change that. So, if you’re not ready for that type of commitment, then you’re not ready to be a dog parent.

Yes, these breeds are commonly found in shelters, but they’re not the only ones. All dogs can be rescues, so please adopt, don’t shop. All dogs deserve love, so it’s important to take your time when choosing the perfect family member.

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