Adopt

My name is Dottie!

Posted over 3 months ago | Updated 20 hours ago

Cared for by Ruff Start Rescue
Adoption process
1

Submit Application

2

Meet the Pet

3

Sign Adoption Contract

4

Take the Pet Home

My basic info

Breed
Labrador Retriever/Pointer
Color
Black - with White
Age
Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
Sex
Female
Pet ID
21973075

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Good with dogs
Checkmark in teal circle Good with cats
Checkmark in teal circle Spayed / Neutered
Checkmark in teal circle Housetrained

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.



Meet Dottie! Now 1 year old, Dottie is blossoming into a more confident, joyful girl every day—and her love for people is truly her standout trait. She absolutely adores humans and thrives in a home with lots of love and interaction. With people coming and going, she’s happiest making the rounds for pets and kisses. A big crowd arriving all at once can be a little overwhelming at first, but give her a moment and she’ll be right there, making sure no one is missed.

Dottie is a total Velcro dog who wants to be as close to her person as physically possible. She loves to snuggle and is an excellent cuddle buddy—she sleeps soundly through the night, doesn’t toss or turn, and knows exactly how to settle in. While she does well in a kennel, she would truly thrive in a home where she can sleep near you or even share the bed.

She enjoys spending time outdoors sniffing all the exciting smells, collecting sticks, and going for walks. She walks nicely on leash, though her curious nose can sometimes lead the way. At home, she loves chewing on bones, hard toys, squeaky toys, and yes—cardboard, which she finds especially fun to shred. After playtime, she’s happiest curled up with a soft blanket and her favorite human.

With other dogs, Dottie needs very slow, proper introductions and some time to feel comfortable. Once she settles in, she can play well and coexist nicely. Her profile notes that she would do best in a cat-free home, but in her one real-life interaction with a cat, she actually did very well—arguably better than she does with dogs. With slow, thoughtful introductions, living with a cat may be a possibility.

Dottie is both potty trained and kennel trained, but she’s still working on independence and manners. She’s a smart girl who would benefit greatly from continued obedience training and gentle guidance. Overall, she has all the potential to be an absolutely incredible dog—she just needs a bit of hand-holding, structure, and patience as she continues to figure things out. In return, you’ll get an endlessly loving, loyal companion who wants nothing more than to be by your side.

Dottie is from an Owner Surrender. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.



Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.
January 21, 2026, 4:12 pm
Rescue

Contact info

Pet ID
21973075
Contact
Address
PO Box 129, Princeton, MN 55371

Their adoption process

1.

Submit Application

Your application simply shows that you are interested in an animal; it is not a binding contract.

2.

Meet the Pet

Your chosen animal’s foster home will reach out to you to discuss the pet you are interested in. If applicable, schedule a meet and greet!

3.

Sign Adoption Contract

An Applications team member will send the electronic adoption contract to you to be signed. They will also request adoption fee payment.

4.

Take the Pet Home

Once adoption agreement and payment are complete, you take your new pet home!

Additional adoption info

After adoption we’d love to remain a resource for you if you have questions or concerns you need help addressing with your new pet. Please reach out to us at adoptionfollowup@ruffstartrescue.org if we can be of any assistance.

Adoption application

Go meet their pets

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based rescue, meaning no animals are available at the Princeton, MN office for public viewing or adoption. All animals in our care reside in foster homes with few special exceptions for our adoption center animals, who are housed at our partnering facilities temporarily before adoption. To meet a Ruff Starter you may be interested in adopting, please submit an adoption application on our website.

More about this rescue

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit companion animal rescue that primarily serves communities throughout the state of Minnesota, as well as states in the south with severe pet overpopulation. We rescue stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other critters. Most of our work is accomplished by a complex network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters, all of whom come together to save thousands of animals each year.

Since our inception, we’ve firmly believed that a home is usually a far more desirable environment than a shelter or a kennel for most companion animals in need of a forever family. As a result, we rely nearly exclusively on volunteers to provide foster homes for rescued pets until they find their adoptive homes. Please note: this means no animals are available at our facility for public viewing.

Each pet in our care is provided with routine vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, microchipped, given internal and external parasite preventatives, and tested for common bloodborne pathogens such as heartworm and feline leukemia. Advanced veterinary care is provided to any animal that requires such services before adoption.

If you are interested in fostering, adopting, or volunteering, please fill out an applicable application at our website: www.ruffstartrescue.org.

Other pets at this rescue