Dogs Trust Ireland reveals that larger dogs spend almost twice as long waiting for forever homes

Dogs Trust is highlighting the upsetting reality that bigger dogs tend to wait almost twice as long to find their forever homes compared to small dogs.

Over the past two years, dogs classified as ‘large breeds’ have spent on average, 110 days in the charity’s care.

This is roughly 43 days longer than their smaller counterparts, who wait around 67 days for their forever homes.

The charity currently has 36 large dogs in their care, whom they are actively seeking forever homes for. One such dog is Benny, a five-year-old crossbreed, who has waited far longer than the average big dog.

He is part of a group that is affectionately known as the Underdogs, as they have spent over six months in the charity’s care.

Benny has been with Dogs Trust since February 2022, spending a total of 1,284 days waiting for his forever home.

The charity is hoping to find a home for Benny, whom they describe as a bouncy, lovable boy and who is a firm favourite of all his carers.

He loves his walks and going on adventures with his favourite people. Benny’s ideal home would be one with just adults, and where he can be the only pet.

A little and large duo at the charity’s rehoming centre in Finglas, co. Dublin, are Koby, a 4-year-old Alsatian cross, and Mufasa, an 11-year-old Jack Russell Terrier cross.

Koby was adopted from the charity’s care back in 2022 and lived happily with his family for a number of years.

However, due to a change in his family’s circumstances, Koby is now back in the care of Dogs Trust since June and is now looking for a new home.

While Mufasa is relatively new to the charity’s care, they don’t believe they’ll struggle to find him a home, as smaller dogs tend to get snapped up quite quickly.

Maciej Trojanowicz, Rehoming Centre Manager, Dogs Trust said: “Sadly, the larger dogs in our care tend to get overlooked by potential adopters time and time again. 

“A common misconception is that big dogs need huge gardens and really long walks, but the truth is, that’s not always the case, and some can even be quite lazy!

“If you’re willing to bring them for walks and provide them with enrichment, they will give you endless love and the best big dog cuddles in return.

Unfortunately, the majority of adoption applications we receive specify that they are looking for a smaller breed, so our big dogs aren’t even getting the chance they so deserve. 

“Over the past two years, fewer than one in five adoption applications have been for large breeds, compared to more than half of applications saying they would prefer a small breed dog, and just one in ten advising they are not worried about the size of the dog.”

If you have room in your home and your heart for one of the charity’s loveable large breeds, Dogs Trust would love to hear from you.

Go to DogsTrust.ie/BigDogs to see the larger breeds currently available for adoption.