Millions of dogs unfortunately enter animal shelters every year. While the majority of dogs that enter shelters are of mixed origin, it’s also not uncommon to find many purebred dogs that have been picked up as strays or turned in.
By understanding what types of dogs are more likely to end up in a shelter, we can start to figure out ways to prevent these sad trends. However, there seems to be two overarching reasons as to why you’ll probably find these very common dog breeds in shelters:
1) over-breeding due to puppy mills.
2) people not aware of how much work is involved with taking care of a dog.
With the help of Petfinder’s self-reported data we learn about the breeds available in shelters around the country.
Here are the top 6 most common dog breeds for adoption.
#1. American Bull Terrier
The American Bull Terrier is apart of the Pit Bull family. Pit Bulls are the most popular found breeds in animal shelters. For obvious reasons such as the public’s perception of them being rough, fighting dogs that have been abused.
They have a reputation of being dangerous however their personalities show that they are loyal pets, good with kids, gentle and loving. Why the confusion?
This is probably due to the fact that they are athletic and protective of their humans. Sadly, a majority of them were put into the wrong owners hands.
#2. Chihuahua
Chihuahua’s are apart of the toy dog group. The pup Paris Hilton keeps in her purse may come to mind. People who live in apartments usually adopt them because of their smaller size.
When they aren’t properly trained they can become obnoxious and yappy so owners will give up on their attitudes. Chihuahua’s are alert, loving and charming.
#3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds have a similar back-story to Pit Bulls. Their previous owners used them as guard dogs but didn’t treat them kindly. German Shepherds are loyal to their families and good with kids.
They are intelligent, strong dogs that take their roles very seriously. They’re known for working with the military and police force for search, rescue and drug detection.
#4. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu’s are lap dogs in the toy dog group. They are alert, playful and affectionate with their owners. Their beautiful, long double coat has sadly attracted the wrong types of owners.
A lot of Shih Tzu’s end up training for people who only care about the money or they are sold in puppy mills. Puppy mills are places where people sell puppies and are known for being inhumane.
#5. Rottweiler
Rottweiler’s are extremely active dogs who need regular exercise. They are confident, loving, and loyal. They are typically found in shelters because people don’t understand that they have to make sure they are trained properly.
These dogs need plenty of playtime and workouts to keep them from being destructive.
#6. Jack Russell Terrier
See Also: 10 unusual dog pictures that will inspire you to adopt right away
You might recognize this name from their appearance on several television shows. Because of their roles on these shows people have gotten the wrong idea about their personalities.
They have very high expectations for this breed but the truth is they are just like every other breed. The Jack Russell Terrier needs to stay active because they are natural hunters who want to stay busy.
If you are a proud owner of one of these dog breeds, share your story with us on our Facebook & help us continue changing the minds of dog lovers everywhere.
Adoption Tips
To help prevent dogs from entering shelters, make sure you are a responsible owner. Before adding a dog to your life, research the breed and inquiry about the dog’s personality.
Know what you are getting yourself into. Make sure you are active enough for the dog, make sure you can devote enough time to the dog, and make sure you properly train the dog.
