7 Adorable Puppies in Austin To Adopt for Christmas

Written by Carrie Woodward
Published: December 1, 2022
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Meet 7 of the Cutest Puppies in Austin, Texas

This holiday season, there are so many adorable puppies waiting for someone to bring them home! As we approach the colder winter months, thousands of furry friends who are in need of homes. What better time of year to add one to your family? To help you find the dog that will be the right fit for you, this list is a roundup of seven dogs who are available for adoption in Austin, Texas right now! Read a snippet of information about each one and learn a little bit about their unique qualities as you consider whether you might be the one who will brighten their day!

Each of these cute puppies is ready to be adopted by someone like you. They all live in the Austin area and can be adopted through local animal shelters and pet rescues. What better way to celebrate the holiday season than by adding a new furry friend to add fun and love to your life? Let’s dive in to meet seven sweet pups in the Austin area. Why not consider adopting one (or more!) of them today?

1. Puppies in Austin: Rave, a 9-Month-Old Female Cattle Dog

Look at this friendly face! This sweet dog is Rave, a nine-month-old female Australian cattle dog! Rave currently weighs 33 pounds and is a sweet, smart, and snuggly pup. According to Austin Pets Alive!, Rave loves making new friends and is a big fan of cuddles and naps close to her people. She is leash-trained, house-trained, and quickly picking up good manners from her sibling dog at her foster home. Rave is likely to thrive in many different types of home environments, as long as she has a family who can help her grow up out of puppyhood.

Her sweet personality and loving nature, plus her puppy energy make her a great running partner in her foster family. She’s curious, confident, and always wants to please. Plus she gets along well with other dogs and humans! Have a backyard? Even better! She will romp and play to make full use of it. Could you be Rave’s forever home she is hoping for? 

About Australian Cattle Dogs

As an Australian cattle dog, you may find that Rave is a strong-willed but loyal friend! Most Australian cattle dogs are loving, high energy, sharply intelligent, and active dogs. You can help Rave by training her well from an early age and giving her firm boundaries that provide structure and build her confidence in you. Rave will be with you for a while, as Australian cattle dogs typically live to be between 13 and 15 years old. You can expect them to commonly reach heights of 17 to 20 inches and grow to weigh approximately 45 pounds.

Australian cattle dogs like Rave often make fantastic family dogs, as they are very extroverted and friendly. However, Rave would not be a great choice for someone who leaves her home alone frequently, as cattle dogs can become restless and distressed when left alone for longer periods of time. If you give Rave daily exercise, training, and plenty of space to run around, she will thrive and be a sweet member of the family alongside humans and other dogs.

2. Puppies in Austin: Luna, a 2-Year-Old Female German Shepherd

At two years old, Luna is still considered to be an energetic and playful adolescent dog. She weighs 65 pounds and has beautiful black and tan fur. Since being rescued by the Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue, Luna has loved going on walks and chewing her toys. She is also a big fan of the outdoors! She loves eating her meals outside on the patio and exploring paths and parks around the Austin area. Sadly, Luna did not get socialized as a puppy, so she can take some time to warm up to people after meeting them for the first time. She could be a great friend for you if you are willing to put in the time and effort to build a strong relationship! Just know that Luna may start off observing from a distance until she feels safe. 

The folks at the Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue say that Luna is “sensitive.” She needs a calm, quiet home environment without children, but full of love! If she has a calm and confident dog sibling, that will help her to adjust and become comfortable exploring and playing in her new environment. Does that sound like you? 

About German Shepherds

As a German shepherd, Luna is a natural companion dog. Dogs in her breed are used to having important positions in a herd or even at work – and they make great guide dogs! You should know that while German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, they can also get a bad reputation for being aggressive. This is very sad, because with consistent training and love, Luna will quickly learn commands and be a loyal friend. Typically, German shepherds reach between 75 and 90 pounds and stand tall, reaching between 22 and 26 inches high at the shoulder level.

German shepherds are highly adaptable and quick, intelligent learners who will respond well to training. This makes it vital that you take the time to help Luna trust you and begin learning commands. Do note that German shepherds are prone to several health conditions in their older age, so be aware of these so that you can help Luna stay healthy and thrive for many years ahead!

3. Puppies in Austin: Toppy, a 3-Month-Old Male Jack Russell Terrier Mix

Can you believe how cute this little guy is? Toppy is just a baby – at only three months old, he weighs only 9 pounds! Toppy is ready to be your new best friend. He has tons of energy and loves playing fetch, going on walks, and curling up for a long nap at the end of a big day. Toppy would love to learn all kinds of new tricks with you and is ready to snuggle all winter long!

About Jack Russells

Toppy is likely a Jack Russell (sometimes also called a “Jack Russell Terrier”) mix. If you want to teach your puppy lots of fun tricks, Toppy may be a great choice for you! Jack Russells are known to be intelligent and fast learners who will pick up tricks quickly and be “sitting” and “fetching” in no time. They also have lots of energy and tend to be outgoing, bold dogs with lots of courage and vigor. Jack Russells typically live to be about 12 or 13 years old. They are also a smaller dog who can be great for a smaller living space, since the average male Jack Russell only grows to be about 15 pounds.

4 & 5. Puppies in Austin: Zeke, a 6-Year-Old Male Pit Bull Terrier Mix and Nectarine, a 3-Year Old Female Pit Bull Terrier

Who said you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? Zeke will prove that wrong every time! He loves snacks, cuddles, belly rubs, and playtime – and he’s always willing to learn new tricks to get a treat! Zeke is a six-year-old American pit bull terrier mix who weighs 61 pounds. Zeke’s friends at Austin Pets Alive! describe him as being “extremely fun, sweet and very well-behaved!” Zeke is a great adventurer who loves cuddles and treats and is always willing to go on a walk. If you like those things too, Zeke might be your best friend. He will do anything for attention and rewards! Zeke and Nectarine (below) are both pit bulls, so there are some specific details about owning their breed that you should keep in mind.

Nectarine is a cuddler! While you may find that she’s a bit suspicious upon first introduction, those who know her say that Nectarine is a faithful friend who loves to snuggle and play. As a three-year-old pit bull terrier, Nectarine has a goofy grin and fierce loyalty. She weighs 49 pounds and currently lives with a foster family. There, her foster mom says that she gets along great with the German shepherd in the family. Some of her favorite activities are playing with her toys, sunbathing outside, and cuddling with her foster parents! Nectarine is a smart and obedient dog who is house trained and knows plenty of commands already. What a good girl! 

About Pit Bull Terriers

As American pit bull terriers, Zeke and Clementine are larger medium-sized dogs whose breed can be described as being friendly, loyal, playful, and sometimes stubborn. Pit bulls have short hair, making them easy to groom. You can also expect to have more time ahead with Zeke and Clementine, as pit bulls can live to be between eight and 15 years old. You will see that both of them often bear the trademark “grin,” which might make them look a little silly, but matches their playful spirits! Male pit bulls weigh between 35 and 60 pounds when mature and should be fed a large amount of protein so that they can maintain their muscle. Female pit bulls like Nectarine typically weigh between 30 and 50 pounds.

Be sure to give either Zeke or Clementine 30 to 60 minutes or more exercise each day! He’s a working dog who needs to get his energy out in order to stay healthy and keep happy. Pit bulls are often fantastic family dogs. However, you should know that they have a strong protective instinct. This could mean that they could be provoked by small children who are not accustomed to dogs. When given the right space to thrive, Zeke will be a loving addition to the family!  

6. Puppies in Austin: Milagros, a 1-Year-Old Female English Coonhound

Say hello to Milagros! This sweet girl is 16 months old and weighs 54 pounds. She has a gorgeous coat of brown and black fur and is so elegant. As an American English Coonhound, Milagros was bred to be intelligent and highly skilled. Because of that, Milagros is a loyal companion and loves spending time with family. She adores kids and loves playtime and exploration. However, she is also very adaptable and is equally happy to spend an evening on the couch! Milagros is housetrained, calm around other dogs, and a gentle friend to little kids. 

About American Coonhounds

Milagros is a American Coonhound, which is a breed also known as the “American English Coonhound.” Her breed is descended from the original English foxhounds who were bred to be hunting dogs in England in the 1800s. Because of that, these dogs have the skills to chase small creatures and even climb trees to follow after prey! Because of this, they are highly energetic and very family-friendly. Milagros has the typical laid back personality of other dogs in her breed, which makes her a great fit for a home with children or other dogs. You can expect Milagros to live to be about 12 years old. People love this breed for their sweet personalities, easy grooming, and loud bark – which makes them great watch dogs! 

However, they are high energy dogs who need at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. You should also be aware that they have loud barks and a strong prey instinct, so socialization is key so that Milagros knows not to mistake a neighboring cat or other small creature as prey.

7. Puppies in Austin: Mindy, a 3-Year-Old Female Labrador Retriever

Sweet Mindy is a three-year-old female Labrador Retriever who uses a wheelchair to help her get around since her back legs don’t work quite like they are supposed to. Mindy doesn’t let that hold her back! She weighs 57 pounds and loves to spend her days playing with her human friends, other dogs, and even true puppies! She’s calm, which makes her a great work-from-home companion who will keep you company without interrupting a work meeting. In the words of one volunteer at Mindy’s Austin shelter, “”She’s absolutely adorable!” 

About Labrador Retrievers

Mindy is a Labrador Retriever and has the quintessential blonde-colored fur of a yellow labrador retriever. As a female labrador retriever, Mindy is considered a medium-sized dog and she is the typical weight of a female dog in her breed. Female labrador retrievers typically grow to be 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Labrador retrievers like Mindy require minimal grooming, but do shed significantly. Mindy’s calm, sweet, and friendly personality is exactly what you can expect from other dogs in her breed! They are friendly, companionable, and playful dogs who usually get along well with everyone – strangers provide the opportunity to make a new friend! 

How to Adopt Puppies in Austin

Can’t you just see one of these seven adorable dogs bringing daily joy and love to your daily life? As a next step, consider meeting one of these sweet puppies. You could be the home that they are waiting for and the family they deserve! Don’t see the right fit on this list? There are thousands of other dogs in Austin and the surrounding areas of Texas who are waiting for a loving owner like you! This winter, check out one of the many animal rescue organizations and dog shelters in the Austin area. Here are just a few: 

Whether you choose Rave, Luna, Milagros, Zeke, Toppy, Mindy, or Nectarine, you can make this holiday season a time of warmth and love for a new furry friend. Look into adopting one of these adorable puppies today.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Firn

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About the Author

Carrie is a writer and fan of all types of plants and animals. Her apartment is home to more than dozen different houseplants and she aspires to adopt more in the near future. You can find Carrie taking long walks or reading a book under the trees in the park.

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