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Puppies and dogs in Mankato, Minnesota

Looking for a puppy or dog in Mankato, Minnesota? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

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Adopt a dog in Mankato, Minnesota

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Mankato, Minnesota. 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 Willa Emme

Willa Emme

Belgian Malinois Border Collie

Female, 6 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Willa Emma was adopted from BENCHS as a young puppy and recently returned after her owner began battling some unexpected medical issues. This decision had nothing to do with Willa Emma herself, and her family was able to give us so much helpful information about the wonderful, goofy, intelligent teenager she has grown into. Now 6 1/2 months old, Willa Emma is very much in her teenage puppy era. She is active, incredibly smart, social, playful, and full of personality. And we actually have a pretty good idea of what makes up this beautiful girl! Willa Emma's sister had a DNA test completed, which came back as 37% Belgian Malinois, 25% Border Collie, 16% Australian Cattle Dog, 3% German Shepherd Dog, and 17% Supermutt. While siblings can inherit different percentages of their ancestry, these results give us a pretty great glimpse into Willa Emma's family tree. If you know herding breeds, that combination probably explains a LOT about Willa Emma. She absolutely loves kids and has done well with children of all ages. She is still learning her manners and doesn't always understand that she can't jump up to greet them. She also takes her self-appointed herding responsibilities pretty seriously! She may gently nip at the back of someone's leg or use her body to block and redirect people. Her previous family even reported that she would sometimes body block the toddler in the home. These behaviors will need continued training and appropriate outlets as she grows. Willa Emma also LOVES other dogs. Her family told us that she has not met a dog she didn't get along with. She loves to run, plays a great game of fetch, and would likely have a blast with another playful canine companion. Her experience with other types of animals is more limited. She was frightened by rabbits and did not do well around them, and her family is unsure how she would respond to cats. Because we don't know how she would feel about living with a cat, a cat-free home may be the easiest fit. Willa Emma is doing really well with potty training. When she is somewhere unfamiliar, her family recommends watching for her to start sniffing around corners, which can be her way of telling you she needs to go outside. She has also been known to pee on soft surfaces. Her previous home did not have rugs or carpeting, so moving into a carpeted home may require some additional supervision while she adjusts to a new routine. She is accustomed to going outside on a yard leash for potty breaks. At night, Willa Emma sleeps either in her owner's bed or in her kennel. During the day, one of her favorite places to relax is perched on the back of the couch. She enjoys being near her people and being involved in whatever is happening around her. This girl LOVES enrichment. Puzzle toys are a favorite, and she is happiest when her brain has something to work on. She still loves toys of all kinds, especially soft toys she can tear apart and anything that squeaks. Collagen chews are another favorite, although she has officially decided that Greenies are not worth her time. Willa Emma already knows sit and stay/wait, and her family has worked on teaching her to wait for permission before eating. Sometimes she will even wait until she hears "OK" before digging into her meal. They have also started teaching her "center," where she comes back and positions herself between her person's legs. She is still working on that one, but she's beginning to understand the idea. Her recall is also still a work in progress. Like many intelligent teenagers, sometimes she hears you perfectly well and simply has other plans! Until she has a reliable recall, she will need to remain safely leashed or contained when outside. Willa Emma loves going places and does well in the car, although she prefers to stand for the entire adventure so she can keep an eye on everything happening around her. She currently eats Fromm dog food and has been receiving approximately 1 1/2 cups in the morning and another 1 1/2 cups in the evening. She isn't a particularly picky eater. Willa Emma's dream home is an active household prepared to embrace everything that comes with raising a highly intelligent herding-breed teenager. Whether her family lives in town or in the country matters much less than whether they are prepared to give her the exercise, enrichment, structure, training, and involvement she needs. With Belgian Malinois, Border Collie, and Australian Cattle Dog making up the majority of her sister's DNA results, Willa Emma isn't the kind of dog who will be fulfilled simply hanging out at home without much to do. She needs people who are excited about having a smart, active dog and are willing to give that busy brain appropriate jobs. Walks, adventures, games of fetch, puzzle toys, positive reinforcement training, and learning new skills would all be wonderful outlets for her. As she gets older, she could also be a really fun candidate for activities like agility, scent work, obedience, or other dog sports. Most importantly, Willa Emma is still just a puppy. She isn't expected to have everything figured out yet. She is still learning how to control her excitement, what behaviors humans appreciate, and how to put that very busy brain to good use. Beneath all of that teenage energy is an incredibly sweet, social girl who loves people, loves kids, loves other dogs, and wants to be part of everything her family is doing. Willa Emma has already been loved very much, and now she is getting another chance to find the family who will help her grow from a goofy, brilliant teenager into the incredible adult dog we know she has the potential to become.
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Photo of Otis

Otis

Australian Cattle Dog

Male, 3 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Story
Meet Otis, one of our incredible Parvo Puppy Survivors! Otis is an incredibly handsome Heeler mix, although we cannot say for certain exactly what breeds make up his family tree. He was one of a litter of 11 puppies who came to BENCHS from another shelter, expecting their next big adventure to be finding families of their own. Instead, these little puppies suddenly found themselves in the fight of their lives when the litter became sick with parvovirus. Otis fought hard, he BEAT PARVO, and now you would never know what he has been through! He is healthy, thriving, growing, and becoming more fun and silly by the day. After everything these puppies went through, getting to watch their personalities emerge and seeing them simply enjoy being puppies has been incredibly special. Otis currently lives with several of his siblings and has never gone a day of his life without other dogs around him. He has grown up eating, sleeping, playing, wrestling, exploring, and learning alongside his canine family, giving him tons of early experience socializing and communicating with other puppies. Now that he is healthy and feeling great, Otis is becoming a joyful, goofy little guy who is ready to take on the world. Our best guess is that Otis and his siblings have some Heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog, in their family tree. Heelers are intelligent, energetic, loyal working dogs that tend to thrive when they have opportunities to use both their bodies and their brains. They can make incredible companions for families who enjoy staying active, training, exploring, and including their dogs in their adventures. Otis is looking for an active indoor home that is ready for all of the fun, work, learning, and laughter that comes along with raising a smart, energetic puppy. Potential adopters should also understand that herding breeds can sometimes bring their working instincts into family life. Chasing, circling, and nipping at heels can emerge as these puppies grow, particularly around small children who are running, squealing, and playing. These behaviors do not necessarily mean a dog is being aggressive. They can simply be an extension of the instincts these dogs were bred for, but they can still be overwhelming for very young children and require consistent training and appropriate outlets. Because Otis is still a young puppy and we do not yet know how strongly those instincts will develop as he matures, families with very small children should carefully consider whether an energetic herding breed puppy is the right fit for their household. Otis has already faced something enormous in his very short life, and he came out on the other side. Now he is healthy, happy, wonderfully silly, and ready for the next chapter. This time, we hope his biggest challenges involve learning his manners, figuring out where his family hides the treats, and deciding which spot on the couch belongs to him. Come meet Otis at BENCHS and help us give another one of our Parvo Puppy Survivors the happy ending he fought so hard for! BENCHS puppy adoption fees are $500 plus tax. Otis’s adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, dewormer, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, distemper boosters, Bordetella vaccination, and rabies vaccination. Our puppies also head home with a gallon bag of food, a leash, collar, harness, tote bag, blanket, toys, and some other little freebies to help make the transition into their new home a little easier. Otis’s adoption also includes a professional family photo to capture the beginning of his new life with the people lucky enough to call him theirs!
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Photo of Boone

Boone

Australian Cattle Dog

Male, 3 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Story
Meet Boone, one of our incredible Parvo Puppy Survivors! Boone is one seriously handsome Heeler mix, although we cannot say for certain exactly what breeds make up his family tree. He was one of a litter of 11 puppies who came to BENCHS from another shelter, ready to begin the next chapter of their lives. Instead, shortly after arriving, these little puppies found themselves facing a battle none of us saw coming when the litter became sick with parvovirus. Boone fought, he survived, and he BEAT PARVO! Today, those scary days are behind him. Boone is healthy, thriving, growing, and becoming more fun and silly with every passing day. After everything this litter went through, watching Boone run around, wrestle with his siblings, explore, and cause all of the normal puppy mischief feels pretty incredible. Boone currently lives with several of his siblings and has never gone a single day of his life without the companionship of other dogs. He has grown up eating, sleeping, playing, wrestling, and learning alongside his canine family, giving him tons of early experience socializing and communicating with other puppies. As he continues to grow and gain confidence, we are getting to see more and more of Boone’s personality. He is playful, curious, goofy, joyful, and very ready to see what the rest of the world has to offer. Our best guess is that Boone and his siblings have some Heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog, in their family tree. Heelers are incredibly intelligent, energetic, loyal working dogs. They were bred to stay busy, think independently, and work alongside their people, so they often thrive in active homes that can provide plenty of exercise, mental enrichment, training, structure, and adventure. Boone is looking for an active indoor home that is excited about raising a smart, energetic puppy and continuing his training and socialization as he grows. Potential adopters should also understand that herding breeds can sometimes bring their natural working instincts into family life. Chasing, circling, and nipping at heels can emerge as puppies mature, particularly around small children who are running, squealing, or playing. These behaviors do not necessarily mean a dog is being aggressive. They can simply be an extension of the instincts these dogs were bred for, but they can still be overwhelming for very young children and require consistent training and appropriate outlets. Because Boone is still a young puppy and we do not yet know how strongly those instincts will develop as he matures, families with very small children should carefully consider whether an energetic herding breed puppy is the right fit for their household. Boone has already had to be much braver than any puppy should have to be. He fought through parvo, recovered, and came out on the other side with an entire lifetime still waiting for him. Now we want his biggest adventures to be learning new things, exploring new places, finding his favorite toys, getting into a little harmless puppy trouble, and growing up surrounded by a family who absolutely adores him. Come meet Boone at BENCHS and help us give another one of our Parvo Puppy Survivors the happy ending he fought so hard for! BENCHS puppy adoption fees are $500 plus tax. Boone’s adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, dewormer, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, distemper boosters, Bordetella vaccination, and rabies vaccination. Our puppies also head home with a gallon bag of food, a leash, collar, harness, tote bag, blanket, toys, and some other little freebies to help them settle into their new homes. Boone’s adoption also includes a professional family photo to capture the beginning of his new life with the people lucky enough to call him theirs!
Photo of Kitty

Kitty

Husky Bull Terrier

Male, 3 yrs 4 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with cats, Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Don’t let the name fool you. This handsome boy is all dog, all heart, and full of personality. Kitty came to BENCHS as an unclaimed stray from the City of Mankato, and we have since learned more about his background to help us find the right match for him moving forward. Kitty was previously known as Houston and was rehomed in May 2025. He lived as an indoor dog and did well with people, including children ages 8 to 14. He was crate trained overnight, rides well in the car, and enjoys human attention. He is a smart dog who can open certain doors and may slip out of a tie out if it is not secure, so supervision and good management will be important. Kitty weighs about 68 pounds and was born on April 20, 2023. He is a young, energetic dog with a lot of enthusiasm for life and enjoys showing off the commands he already knows. In his previous home, Kitty lived with dogs and did well with a spayed female, but he was involved in a serious incident with an intact male dog. Because of this history, Kitty is dog selective and would do best as the only dog in the home or with careful, experienced placement. He also has a high prey drive and should not live with cats, chickens, or other small animals. Kitty is a bright, powerful young dog who will need a home that can provide structure, clear boundaries, and continued training. With the right environment and guidance, he has the potential to be a loyal and rewarding companion. If you are an experienced dog owner looking for a confident, intelligent dog and are prepared to meet Kitty’s needs, he may be the right fit for you.
Photo of Derek

Derek

Labrador Retriever

Male, 9 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) -
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Meet Derek! At four and a half months old and just over 20 pounds, this curious pup is ready to discover the world with you. Derek arrived at BENCHS alongside his brother, and now he’s looking for an active home where he can continue to learn, play, and explore. He is incredibly inquisitive and loves engaging with people, always eager to see what you’re up to and be part of it. Toys are a big hit for him, and he’s at that fun stage where everything is an adventure. Derek is currently working on potty training and will need a home that can continue to guide him with consistency and patience as he polishes those skills. He would likely do well either as the only dog or with another social, friendly dog who can help show him the ropes. We are unsure how he would do with cats, though he has shown some interest. If you’re looking for a playful, people-loving puppy to grow alongside, Derek might just be your perfect match.
Photo of Ross

Ross

Mixed Breed (Large)

Male, 6 mos
Mankato, MN
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
This adorable little puppy came to BENCHS alongside four of his siblings and has quickly won everyone over with his playful personality. Weighing in at 28.4 pounds, Ross is the biggest of his siblings and has a larger-than-life personality to match. He loves being part of the action and is always ready to see what exciting thing is happening next. While we cannot say for certain what breeds make up this litter, our best guess is perhaps a Cattle Dog and Terrier mix of some sort. Ross already shows many of the traits people love about these kinds of dogs. He is smart, active, inquisitive, and always ready to learn something new, especially if treats are involved. Ross is extremely food motivated, which makes him a wonderful candidate for continued positive reinforcement training as he grows. Ross is looking for an active indoor home that will continue helping him build confidence, learn good puppy manners, and channel his energy into fun and enriching activities. Puppies with his likely breed mix often thrive in homes that enjoy walks, adventures, training sessions, puzzle toys, and making their dog part of everyday life. He is very dog friendly and continues to live comfortably with his siblings here at the shelter. Ross can be a little vocal at times, but it is usually just his enthusiastic way of expressing himself. Despite being the biggest of the litter, he is incredibly social, outgoing, and very friendly with new people. Like any young puppy, Ross is still learning about the world around him and will need patience, consistency, and continued training as he grows. In return, he promises to bring a whole lot of personality, laughter, and love into the lives of the people lucky enough to call him family.

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Puppies and dogs in nearby cities

Dog shelters and rescues in Mankato, Minnesota

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Mankato, Minnesota. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

crazy about critters rescue and adoption

mankato, MN 56001

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Shelter

Blue Earth Nicollet County Pet Shelter/BENCHS

1250 N River Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Mending Spirits Animal Rescue

PO Box 5402, Mankato, MN 56002

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Rescue

Forever Home Animal Sanctuary, Inc.

P.O. Box 592, New Ulm, MN 56073

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Watonwan County Humane Society

1309 Weston Ave N, Box 346, St. James, MN 56081

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

New Chances Humane Society

1540 industrial drive, po box231, Blue Earth, MN 56013

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

Southern Minnesota Animal Rescue Team, Inc

Lonsdale, MN 55046

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

S.A.F.E. Sanctuary

Po box 1118, Faribault, MN 55021

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

bentleys Outpost

1002 1st ave ne, Faribault, MN 55021

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Rescue

Clawz & Pawz

200 Western Ave, Faribault, MN 55021

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!

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Select from the options below to view adoptable puppies and dogs in Mankato, Minnesota 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