Meet Puppies in Chicago to Adopt Now
This holiday season, thousands of dogs are waiting to join their new forever family! This list rounds up seven of the cutest puppies in Chicago (plus two slightly older “puppies”) who are living at local animal shelters right now. They are ready to meet you and will love being part of your family. What better time to adopt a new furry friend than this Christmas? Check out this list of nine puppies in Chicago who are ready for you to adopt them today!
1. Puppies in Chicago: Barnaby, a Two-Month-Old Mixed Breed
Of all of the puppies in Chicago, Barnaby (top left photo) has got to be one of the sweetest! Barnaby is an adorable mixed-breed male pup who is only two months old! Right now, he is only 19 pounds, but he is expected to grow into a medium-sized dog. He’s a sweetheart looking for a new home and someone to love.
Though only DNA testing will tell, some of the friends of Paws Chicago think that Barnaby may be a mix of a beagle and a Jack Russell (sometimes also called a “Jack Russell Terrier”). Both beagles and Jack Russells are known to be intelligent, quick learners who will pick up tricks. While Beagles are known to be gentle though sometimes stubborn, Jack Russells will bring energy, athleticism, and fearlessness. These dogs typically live to be at least 12 or 13 years old. They are smaller in size, with the average male Jack Russell growing to be up to 15 pounds and the average male beagle reaching 26 pounds.
As your mixed breed puppy grows, keep an eye on his size. An adult Jack Russell will only need between 1.25 and 1.75 cups of food each day, but if your mixed puppy is closer to the size of an adult beagle, you may need to adjust the amount. Both of these dogs are smart, loving, and energetic, so it is important to devote time and effort to training and exercising them each day. This will keep them healthy and prevent their mischievous instincts from becoming destructive.
2. Puppies in Chicago: Cocoa, a Six-Month-Old Labrador Mix
Say hello to Cocoa! Cocoa is new to the Chicago Canine Rescue. She is only six months old and a medium-sized Labrador Retriever mix with brown/black fur and white fur on her belly. This cutie just made it to the shelter this November, and is now looking for a loving home with new friends who will teach her commands, be patient with her puppy energy and curiosity, and make her part of the family!
As a Labrador Retriever mix, Cocoa is expected to keep growing. Female Labrador Retrievers are medium-sized dogs. They typically grow to be between 21.5 and 23.5 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. At only six months old, it will be a year or more before Cocoa is considered “full grown.” Labrador Retrievers are known for having even-tempered personalities. They are friendly, energetic dogs who get along well with strangers and fit in well with a family. In general, they eat about 2.5 to three cups of food each day. They also require minimal grooming, though they do shed quite a lot.
It is important to note that Labrador Retrievers are also active dogs that require regular exercise and training. With that in mind, you will want to take Cocoa on frequent walks and give her plenty of playtime. Since Cocoa is a puppy, you will also want to ensure that you “puppy-proof” your home!
3. Puppies in Chicago: Pippin, Seven-Month-Old Border Collie Mix
Pippin, a male border collie mix puppy, is deaf and visually impaired. Yet that doesn’t stop his playful, energetic spirit! Pippin is described as an adventurous baby with special needs who still wants to spend the entire day playing! He loves tug-of-war and playing with his dog and cat siblings in his foster home. Because Pippin has special needs and wants to play all day long, being in a home with highly tolerant dog siblings will be important. He still needs basic training and a patient friend who will help him get quality care. Pippin has a few strange behaviors, like spinning in place, that have an unknown cause, along with a genetic disorder. His friends at Chicago Canine Rescue are still trying to get to the root of this issue. However, he doesn’t let this hold him back!
As a medium-sized dog who is a border collie mix, it makes sense that Pippin is a furry friend. He has white, medium-long hair, which requires regular brushing and can be expected to shed throughout the year. Male border collies usually reach a weight of 30-45 pounds and an average height of 24-27 inches when fully grown. They are very smart and have a need for space and the outdoors. They do not like to be cooped up and are especially talented at escaping fences. That means that they need a fence that is at least 8 or 10 feet tall and plenty of time spent getting exercise. They also need diets that are high in protein plus intentional training and regular grooming. However, with these factors in place, Pippin, like his other border collie relatives, is sure to be a lively and loving member of the family.
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4. Puppies in Chicago: Ladybug, A Six-Month-Old Mixed Breed
Ladybug and her brother Lovebug were rescued from living outdoors as the cold Chicago winter approached. Can you imagine these puppies in Chicago having to stay outside all winter? Now Ladybug is looking for a warm, safe home where she can cuddle up with new friends! She is a 33-pound mixed breed dog who is only six months old but expected to be a medium size when she’s full-grown. As a puppy, Ladybug will need some love and attention to ensure she learns commands. If you have the time and energy, you will be sure to form a life-long bond with her as she grows!
Like many dogs up for adoption, Ladybug is a mix. This means that without DNA testing, her ancestry and the breeds of her parents aren’t 100% known. However, from looking at key identifiers such as ear shape, type of tail, the length of her hair, size, and more, we can make some good guesses. Read about different dog breeds from A-Z to learn how you can identify different types of dogs.
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5. Puppies in Chicago: Winnie, a 17-Month-Old Female Australian Cattle Dog Mix
This is the sweet face of Winnie, an Australian cattle dog mix who is about a year and a half old. She is a female, medium-sized dog with a beautiful short-haired brown and black coat. She just arrived at Chicago Canine Rescue this fall. Even though Winnie is about a year and a half old, she is not yet at full maturity. Australian cattle dogs are considered full-grown once they reach 18 to 24 months of age. For now, Winnie is still a sweet puppy looking for a place to call home.
Australian cattle dogs are a strong-willed but loyal and loving breed with high energy and active minds. They need training from an early age and firm owners who will treat them kindly. Australian cattle dogs usually live to be between 13 and 15 years old and typically reach heights of 17 to 20 inches, weighing approximately 45 pounds. They make wonderful family dogs and are great companions who are very sociable but unhappy when left alone. Ensure that Winnie gets daily exercise and has space to run around, and she will get along well with human and dog members of the household.
6. Puppies in Chicago: Annie, a Six-Month-Old Female Mastiff Mix
Gentle Annie is a six-month-old female Mastiff mix who is a sweet puppy saved by the Chicago Canine Rescue just this month. She is a medium-sized dog with a short-haired tan and black-colored coat. This girl is friendly and just recently received her first round of puppy shots!
As a Mastiff mix, Annie’s breed is known for being courageous, calm, and affectionate! Mastiffs grow up to be medium-to-large in size, with purebred Mastiffs growing to be as big as 190 pounds! Annie is a mix, so she may not reach that size, but she is likely to grow to be larger than the average dog. Mastiffs can live to be up to 12 years old and are known for being gentle family dogs. They have short-haired coats, which make them easy to groom at home. However, Mastiffs are large dogs which can be difficult to transport in smaller vehicles. They also require particular foods in large amounts, so this can make feeding them more expensive than other breeds.
7. Puppies in Chicago: Opie, a Seven-Month-Old Male Australian Cattle Dog/Siberian Husky Mix
If you are looking for a smart dog with a unique mix of breeds, look no farther than Opie! Opie is a seven-month-old medium-sized, short-haired dog who is a mix of Australian cattle dog and Siberian husky. He has a beautiful tan and white-colored coat, lively eyes, and a black nose. He is still growing and needs an engaged family who will give him the extensive exercise and consistent training he deserves as a highly intelligent, lively mixture of two companion breeds.
Siberian huskies and Australian cattle dogs are two extremely smart, loyal, and outgoing dog breeds. Huskies are renowned for their intelligence and Australian cattle dogs are known for their curiosity, so keeping Opie engaged will need to be a high priority. While huskies typically grow to up to 60 pounds, Australian cattle dogs typically grow to be about 45 pounds. You can expect Opie to land somewhere in that range when fully grown. Both breeds commonly live to be 14 or 15 years old and are known to shed. Siberian huskies in particular have been described as shedding an “astronomical” amount. Both of these breeds can also be extremely stubborn and strong-willed. Huskies in particular can be difficult to train, so consistency and practice will be key to keeping Opie safe and happy.
Both of these breeds are also incredibly social. Siberian huskies were bred to live with a pack. Australian cattle dogs were bred to be herding animals. Because of this, a mix of the two breeds is bound to be extroverted and companionable. They will thrive when around their family but become miserable when left alone. However, they will love spending time with you and will become fiercely loyal over time.
8. (Grown Up) Puppies in Chicago: Juna, a Four-Year-Old Female American Pit Bull
Meet Juna! This sweet girl is a four-year-old American pit bull terrier who arrived in Chicago after being evacuated from Florida during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Juna is a large dog described by staff at the Anti-Cruelty Society as “friendly” and “laidback.” She’s easy to walk, quick to love, and eager to make new friends! Juna gets along with other dogs but is just fine living on her own too. She hasn’t yet experienced life with other pets or young children, so she would need some time and space to adjust, but she is a sweet pup who is expected to fit in well in any new home!
As an American pit bull terrier mix, Juna is a large dog whose breed is typically friendly, loyal, playful, and occasionally stubborn. They have short hair and can live to eight to 15 years old. Their trademark “grin” makes them look slightly goofy, which matches their playful spirit. Most female pit bulls weigh between 30 and 50 pounds when full grown and need to eat a significant amount of protein in order to maintain muscle mass. It’s also best to ensure they get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, as they are working dogs who need to run and play to be healthy and happy. While they can be great family dogs, their protective instinct and tendency to be provoked mean that they are probably not the best choice for small children or those inexperienced around dogs.
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9. (Grown Up) Puppies in Chicago: Cass, a Five-Year-Old Male Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Mix
Cass is a sweet, five-year-old male labrador retriever/pit bull mix who weighs 57 pounds. He was brought to the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago when his owners could sadly no longer care for him. Cass is a social butterfly who plays well with other dogs and loves to be around people. He’s also very smart and already knows how to sit, stay, lay down, and offer a paw!
Cass is a large dog and mix of labrador retriever and pit bull (an umbrella term referring to several different types of dogs descended from bulldogs and terriers). Because of that, like other dogs in those breeds, Cass needs an active schedule of walking, training, and playing. Both of these breeds are known for being energetic, friendly, and building strong bonds with their people. Pit bulls and labrador retrievers are known to live to be 15 years old, so you can expect that Cass would be in your family for a while! Thanks to the pit bull mix, Cass may not shed as extensively as other labrador retrievers are known to. If you put in the time and energy to keep Cass happy and healthy with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, he will thrive as a member of your family!
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How to Adopt Puppies in Chicago
Want to adopt this year? Look into meeting one of these sweet dogs! Any one of them will be a special addition to your family, no matter what you are looking for. Don’t see your new furry friend on the list above? There are thousands of other puppies in Chicago waiting to go home with you! Check out the Anti-Cruelty Society, PAWS Chicago, Chicago Canine Rescue, or one of the many other animal shelters in the Chicago area today. You can change the life of a sweet puppy today, just in time for the holiday season.
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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/wavetop
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