Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, July 11th from 12-3 PM unless adopted prior to the event. All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption fee: $800 Meet Briar! If you've ever wished for a puppy with the heart of an old soul, Briar is ready to make your dream come true. This adorable 8 month old, 8 lb Maltese mix (non-shedding) came to our rescue from the shelter alongside Bunny, who we believe is her mom, and she's been charming everyone she meets ever since. Equal parts sweet, sassy, playful, and cuddly, Briar somehow manages to act like a wise little grandma one minute and a goofy puppy the next. A Perfect Mix of Playful and Chill Briar starts every morning full of joy, eager to greet her people and her canine foster siblings. After letting herself out for a potty break, she's happy with whatever comes next— breakfast, a cozy snuggle on the couch, or a game of chase with her foster brother. For such a young pup, Briar has an impressively calm personality. She happily entertains herself while her foster mom works, alternating between playful zoomies, leisurely naps, and keeping an eye on the neighborhood from the backyard. In the evenings, she's ready for another play session before curling up on the couch for cuddles and ending the day sleeping peacefully in her crate. A Little Collector with a Big Personality One of Briar's favorite hobbies is bringing her foster mom gifts. Whether it's a stick she proudly found or a fallen avocado from the backyard tree, she loves carrying her treasures inside to show off. It's just one of the many quirky things that makes her so lovable. She also has the funniest little vocalizations. Her foster family says that when she's first left alone, she sounds like a tiny baby dinosaur! Thankfully, she settles quickly once she realizes everything is okay. Everyone Is a Friend Briar truly loves people. From the moment she arrived in her foster home, she acted like she'd lived there forever—running outside to potty, hopping onto the couch, and asking for snuggles. She's affectionate without being demanding. She's perfectly content simply hanging out near her people, but if you're offering belly rubs or cuddles, she'll happily be first in line. Her big expressive eyes and adorable little tongue peeking out make it nearly impossible to tell her no. Dog-Friendly with a Dash of Diva Briar gets along wonderfully with the small dogs she's met. She respectfully gives older dogs their space while enthusiastically wrestling and playing with younger ones. Like any confident little lady, she has a bit of a diva streak and isn't afraid to let her foster brother know when playtime is over— or when she'd prefer to have her humans all to herself for a few minutes of snuggle time. At mealtime, Briar prefers to enjoy her dinner without interruptions and would benefit from continued positive training around sharing space with other dogs while eating. Smart Cookie Briar is house-trained, uses the backyard to potty on her own, and sleeps quietly through the night in her crate. She loves chewing on bully sticks but hasn't shown destructive puppy chewing around the house. She's very food motivated, already knows 'sit,' and is eager to learn, making her a wonderful candidate for continued training. Her Perfect Home Briar could fit into many different types of homes. She would love a family that will continue her training, especially around her resource guarding and confident puppy personality, so she grows into the wonderful adult dog she's already well on her way to becoming. Because she can be vocal when she hears interesting noises outside, a house may be a better fit than a very quiet apartment setting. Why You'll Love Briar Her foster describes Briar as an old soul trapped in a puppy's body—and we couldn't agree more. She's sweet, silly, affectionate, playful, a devoted little house guardian, and an enthusiastic fan of belly rubs. She somehow balances puppy fun with an easygoing personality that makes her a joy to live with. If you're looking for a companion who will make you laugh with her tiny dinosaur noises, proudly present you with backyard treasures, keep you company while you work, and happily curl up beside you every evening, Briar is ready to become your new best friend. July 9, 2026, 5:24 pm
