Dogs Trust has revealed that playful (81%), cuddly (80%) and clever (53%) are the three traits most commonly sought by prospective dog adopters in Ireland.
However, the charity is warning that despite these traits being seen as the most desirable, there may be a disconnect between what owners want and the practical demands of dog ownership.
In 2025, Dogs Trust received thousands of adoption applications, which expressed a preference for dogs with these characteristics.
While widely appealing, traits such as playfulness and intelligence are often linked to higher exercise needs, as well as more intensive training and mental stimulation.
This mismatch is being reflected in the volume of surrender requests the charity is receiving.
In the first three months of 2026 alone, Dogs Trust has received more than 800requests from owners seeking to relinquish their dogs into their care.
This is a 13% increase compared to the same time period last year.
While some cases are due to extenuating circumstances, the most frequently cited reasons include not having enough time to care for the dog and challenges in managing behaviour.
One dog who matches all the desirable traits, yet receives little interest from potential adopters, is Decker, a four-year-old Collie cross.
Decker (pictured above) has been in the care of Dogs Trust since January 2024, but despite being everyone’s type on paper, the charity has sadly been unable to find him his perfect match.
Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, says:“Decker, who is one of our Underdogs*, is a very sweet boy, with so much love to give to the right family.
“Being a Collie cross, he has brains and lots of energy to burn, so he’s hoping for a family that is ready to spend lots of time together playing and training.
“And once he feels comfortable, he turns into a real cuddle bug.
“What’s heartbreaking is that Decker is exactly the type of dog people tell us they want – but in reality, dogs like him need commitment, consistency and time.
“Sadly, he hasn’t been lucky in finding his forever home yet, but we know the right person is out there.”
Dogs Trust highlights that behavioural issues can sometimes arise when a dog’s physical and mental needs are not being adequately met, which can, in turn contribute to decisions to surrender.
The charity said that it continues to prioritise careful matching between dogs and adopters with a focus on aligning the dog’s needs with the family’s experience, capacity and lifestyle.
Dogs Trust is urging future dog owners to carefully consider their lifestyle and do plenty of research before welcoming a dog into their lives.
For more information on dog ownership, go to DogsTrust.ie