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Puppies and dogs in Washington, District of Columbia

Looking for a puppy or dog in Washington, District of Columbia? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

A pair of dogs

Adopt a dog in Washington, District of Columbia

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Washington, District of Columbia. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
Photo of Jasper

Jasper

American Pit Bull Terrier

Male, Young
Cheltenham, MD
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Not good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Loves belly rubs and football. Knows he has to keep a clean face and paws. Loves to cuddle and give hugs. Great with kids.
Photo of Gus

Gus

Beagle Bluetick Coonhound

Male, Senior
Arlington, VA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Not good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
I rescued this dog from being abandoned in the woods of West Virginia. But I have two dogs already. Looking for a new owner. He’s probably 11-12 years old. Sleeps must of the day.
Photo of Bean

Bean

Black and Tan Coonhound American Pit Bull Terrier

Female, Senior
Arlington, VA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Not good with dogs, Not good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Bean is an extremely young 12 year old girl who has been a loving part of our family for so long. She is incredibly smart (therefore also a little stubborn), would do just about anything for a frisbee, and simultaneously enjoys being super active and being super cuddley on the couch. She knows a ton of tricks and is very obedient in terms of following commands. That being said, we have had some changes to our family dynamic (a new baby) and she has had some issues with our other pup (food aggression). We are looking for a loving home for our old girl who can dedicate the attention and time that she deserves and needs. She would do best in a family without other pets and with older kids / adults. She is an amazing girl and it breaks our heart to part with her but for her good and ours we are having to make this incredibly difficult decision. I am happy to share any an all info about her - my goal is to find someone who can be her friend until the end of her days.
Photo of Cooper

Cooper

Labrador Retriever

Male, Young
Arlington, VA
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Cooper’s an amazing pup. He’ll be 2-years-old in March. Due to my increasing travel schedule, I’m looking to find a stable environment for him, preferably with a family of kids who can shower him with love. He has been trained by a certified trainer for more than a year and has mastered all of the basic commands. He’s a good pup who loves people and other dogs.
Photo of Ellie

Ellie

Beagle Bearded Collie

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Ellie is a charming and endearing dog, whose breed is speculated to be a mix of Beagle, Border Collie, and Jack Russell. Despite her uncertain past prior to us adopting her from a rescue organization, she has flourished under our care with proper training and attention that earned her a clean bill of health on January 25th, 2024 at age 3.5-4 years old., microchipped, spayed, fully vaccinated and weighs around 37 pounds. However, due to recent changes in our career paths and an upcoming addition to our family this year, we are unable to provide Ellie with the necessary time and resources required for dogs with histories like hers - making it difficult for her to interact well with new people outside of ourselves as 'her' people.
Photo of Peony

Peony

Labrador Retriever Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium)

Female, Young
Fairfax, VA
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Peony is a sweet and energetic young girl. She loves to play fetch. She knows a few commands, but needs additional training. She’s food motivated and is not aggressive. We are rehoming her because she has more energy than my family can provide for. She needs a big yard and people who can play with her.

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Use the search tool below to browse adoptable puppies and adult dogs in Washington, District of Columbia.

Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Washington, District of Columbia

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Washington, District of Columbia. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

Bright Hope Animal Rescue - D.C. Chapter

Washington DC, DC 20001

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Appalachian SPCA - DC

Washington, DC 20001

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Omani Paws

Washington, DC 20001

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

HFH - Washington D.C.

Washington, DC 20500

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Alliance for Stray Animals and People

P.O. Box 65438, Washington, DC 20035

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Critter Cavalry Rescue - DC

Washington, DC 20009

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Dogingham Palace Rescue/Washington DC

Washington, DC 20009

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Dogs in Harmony - Washington D.C.

Washington, DC 20009

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Dogs On Borrowed Time - Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20009

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

DC PAWS Rescue

P.O. Box 23439, Washington, DC 20026

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Looking for a specific shelter or rescue?

For a comprehensive list of all shelters and rescues, try our search page. We have more than 17,000 organizations in our database with furry pals waiting for a new home!

Image of dog

Looking for a specific breed?

Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Washington, District of Columbia and nearby cities.

Popular dog breeds

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akbash Akita Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Cocker Spaniel American Eskimo Dog American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier Anatolian Shepherd Aussiedoodle Australian Cattle Dog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Laekenois Belgian Malinois Belgian Shepherd Belgian Tervuren Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black Mouth Cur Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Blue Lacy/Texas Lacy Bluetick Coonhound Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Carolina Dog Catahoula Leopard Dog Caucasian Shepherd Dog Cavachon Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavapoo Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinook Chiweenie Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cockapoo Cocker Spaniel Collie Coonhound Corgi Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogo Argentino Dogue de Bordeaux Dutch Shepherd English (Redtick) Coonhound English Bulldog English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Shepherd English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel Entlebucher Feist Field Spaniel Fila Brasileiro Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Toy) Fox Terrier (Wirehaired) Foxhound French Bulldog German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Goberian Golden Retriever Goldendoodle Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound Halden Hound (Haldenstrover) Harrier Havanese Horgi Hovawart Husky Ibizan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Italian Spinone Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Jindo Kai Dog Karelian Bear Dog Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Kishu Komondor Kuvasz Kyi Leo Labradoodle Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen Maltese Maltipoo Manchester Terrier Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Dachshund Miniature Pinscher Morkie Mountain Cur Munsterlander Mutt Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Olde English Bulldogge Otterhound Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Patterdale Terrier (Fell Terrier) Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Pitsky Plott Hound Podengo Portugueso Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Pomsky Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy or Tea Cup) Portuguese Water Dog Presa Canario Pug Puggle Puli Pumi Rat Terrier Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saluki Samoyed Schiller Hound Schipperke Schnauzer (Giant) Schnauzer (Miniature) Schnauzer (Standard) Schnoodle Scottie, Scottish Terrier Scottish Deerhound Sealyham Terrier Shar Pei Sheepadoodle Sheltie, Shetland Sheepdog Sheppit Shepsky Shiba Inu Shih Poo Shih Tzu Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Sloughi St. Bernard Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund Texas Heeler Thai Ridgeback Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Tosa Inu Treeing Walker Coonhound Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier Westie, West Highland White Terrier Wheaten Terrier Whippet Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Xoloitzcuintle/Mexican Hairless Yorkie Poo Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier