Papillon puppies and dogs in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Meet Nilla Bean a 5 year old Papillon and Chihuahua mix, who is a happy story of transformation.  While she still has spicy energy and excitement about life as a dog, she is far from the resource guarding pup she was 2 months ago.  She has learned how to play with toys to amuse herself, and incorporate the zoomies alone or with an agreeable dog to expel excess energy.   She also tolerates timeouts in the crate when she gets overwhelmed.  She loves to explore the fenced in yard and shows no signs of wanting to escape.  She occasionally potties in the house but mostly she does her business outside.  She would benefit from walks or dog park visits (after she has bonded with her human).  She loves snuggles and massages and sleeps happily through the night with her humans.  She settled well in the car the few times she’s been a passenger.  She’s a vigilant pup, noticing every movement or sound, and does bark at new noises or people.  For new people visiting, I have her on leash or in the crate until they are in and settled so she can sniff and check things out without the stress of arrival greetings and movement.  She is more comfortable every week with new experiences.  She responds to calm instructions, such as ‘you’re ok’, or ‘come here’ or ‘no bark’ etc.  She is treat and food motivated and in general is learning to trust people and a loving home.  I’m not sure how she would do with kids or cats, but again if they take it slow, I  think she will do fine.  A playful confident resident dog would be great for her, although I think with enough socialization she would also do well as an only dog.  She’s just waiting and improving her doggy skills for her forever family.   Adoption fee includes: Full veterinary exam, Alter, Dental, Prepaid microchip, Dewormed, Rabies vaccine (if age appropriate), Distemper combo vaccine(s) appropriate to age, Bordetella vaccine, 4DX (over 6 months of age), Flea/tick and heartworm preventative while in rescue. Adoption fee:  $425.00  Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.November 21, 2025, 8:38 am

Hi, My name is Benny...Ben...Ben...Benny, I'm as fast as a flying squirrel and I can fly (well jump) like one too!!! I also love to make a nest and curl up in your lap and take a nap. I also gather up toys and take them to my little tree. Foster momma says it is a kennel. So, I guess that means I am kennel trained, whatever that means. I go in there when it is time to eat or foster momma leaves. I am potty trained. I learned I needed to go outside and do my business from my foster siblings. I love my foster siblings. We play chase, we wrestle, and we take turns with toys. I like to take all of them out of the basket to find the perfect toy! I am also a little scavenger if there is paper, kleenex, or anything I can tear up, consider it done!!! I would love to have a family that is as active as I am. I am a busy body. Now, about my back story. I was found in a grocery store parking lot. The nice ladies tried to find my family, but were unable. They reached out to God's Dogs and asked them if I could join their family and here I am. That night I met my foster momma, grandmomma, and siblings. I DO NOT LIKE HATS!!! Foster momma had one on and I did not want to go anywhere near her. So, if you think you can handle a little squirrel, adopt me. I am your guy!!! Local adoption fee is $400 out of state adoption fee with transport and fuel surcharge is $650

Meet Nilla Bean a 5 year old Papillon and Chihuahua mix, who is a happy story of transformation.  While she still has spicy energy and excitement about life as a dog, she is far from the resource guarding pup she was 2 months ago.  She has learned how to play with toys to amuse herself, and incorporate the zoomies alone or with an agreeable dog to expel excess energy.   She also tolerates timeouts in the crate when she gets overwhelmed.  She loves to explore the fenced in yard and shows no signs of wanting to escape.  She occasionally potties in the house but mostly she does her business outside.  She would benefit from walks or dog park visits (after she has bonded with her human).  She loves snuggles and massages and sleeps happily through the night with her humans.  She settled well in the car the few times she’s been a passenger.  She’s a vigilant pup, noticing every movement or sound, and does bark at new noises or people.  For new people visiting, I have her on leash or in the crate until they are in and settled so she can sniff and check things out without the stress of arrival greetings and movement.  She is more comfortable every week with new experiences.  She responds to calm instructions, such as ‘you’re ok’, or ‘come here’ or ‘no bark’ etc.  She is treat and food motivated and in general is learning to trust people and a loving home.  I’m not sure how she would do with kids or cats, but again if they take it slow, I  think she will do fine.  A playful confident resident dog would be great for her, although I think with enough socialization she would also do well as an only dog.  She’s just waiting and improving her doggy skills for her forever family.   Adoption fee includes: Full veterinary exam, Alter, Dental, Prepaid microchip, Dewormed, Rabies vaccine (if age appropriate), Distemper combo vaccine(s) appropriate to age, Bordetella vaccine, 4DX (over 6 months of age), Flea/tick and heartworm preventative while in rescue. Adoption fee:  $425.00  Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.November 21, 2025, 8:38 am

Hi, My name is Benny...Ben...Ben...Benny, I'm as fast as a flying squirrel and I can fly (well jump) like one too!!! I also love to make a nest and curl up in your lap and take a nap. I also gather up toys and take them to my little tree. Foster momma says it is a kennel. So, I guess that means I am kennel trained, whatever that means. I go in there when it is time to eat or foster momma leaves. I am potty trained. I learned I needed to go outside and do my business from my foster siblings. I love my foster siblings. We play chase, we wrestle, and we take turns with toys. I like to take all of them out of the basket to find the perfect toy! I am also a little scavenger if there is paper, kleenex, or anything I can tear up, consider it done!!! I would love to have a family that is as active as I am. I am a busy body. Now, about my back story. I was found in a grocery store parking lot. The nice ladies tried to find my family, but were unable. They reached out to God's Dogs and asked them if I could join their family and here I am. That night I met my foster momma, grandmomma, and siblings. I DO NOT LIKE HATS!!! Foster momma had one on and I did not want to go anywhere near her. So, if you think you can handle a little squirrel, adopt me. I am your guy!!! Local adoption fee is $400 out of state adoption fee with transport and fuel surcharge is $650

History: Boots is a handsome young papillon who was surrendered by a commercial breeding program with some health concerns that we learned off upon arriving to rescue. The ultrasound confirmed that Boots has a congenital heart condition called a patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA. This is an abnormal blood vessel that connects two major arteries leaving the heart, the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This vessel is normal and necessary for a puppy in the womb, but it is supposed to seal off and close within a few days of birth. In Boot's case, this vessel remained open, or "patent." This is causing an abnormal amount of blood to be shunted from his body's circulation back into the circulation of his lungs. This abnormal blood flow is causing some extra work for the left side of his heart; a condition we call volume overload. Over a long period, this strain can cause the heart to enlarge and eventually fail, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs, which is known as congestive heart failure. Thankfully, Boot's PDA appears to be on the smaller size and the impact on his heart is currently mild, his left heart is only borderline enlarged. He is not in or near congestive heart failure at this time. While it is rare, another potential long-term risk is that the high blood flow could damage the lungs, leading to a reversal of blood flow through the PDA, which is a very serious complication. Because of these risks, the standard recommendation for any PDA is to close it. The procedure to fix a PDA is typically minimally invasive and has a very high success rate. A small incision is made in his inner thigh to access the femoral artery. Using a specialized live x-ray called fluoroscopy for guidance, a catheter is passed through the artery up to the PDA and deploy a special device called an occluder. This device stays in the vessel permanently and blocks the abnormal blood flow. Once the PDA is successfully closed, the dogs is considered cured and can go on to potentially live a normal, full lifespan. The outcomes for PDA closure are generally much more predictable and successful than for other procedures, though like anything, success rates are not 100%. But they are very high. The main potential for Boots is his size. At 8.5 pounds, he is just above the general lower weight limit for the standard devices and delivery systems that are available. He will need to have the procedure completed at U of M veterinary center by board certified cardiologists. At this time, we are waiting for a month or two for him to potentially grow a little more. The risk of his condition significantly worsening or reversing in the next few months is low, though not zero. A Note from the Foster: Hello! Miy name is Boots but I prefer Bootsie-Boooooo. I was born on Valentines Day and I am a love bug. I am nine months old and weigh 8.8 lbs and I am here to entertain you with my dancing, my zoomies, tail chasing especially when I catch it, and my sock stealing – I love Bombas. I really like treats and have learned to take them nicely. The nicer I am the more I get! I currently live with a 45 lb pittie and a 20 lb miniature poodle and we all get along and chase each other around the house. I play tug of rope with the big one and I always win! I am shy around new people (especially men – they are loud) till I understand they are nice and some even give me treats. I love going for walks, although my leash manners are progressing. I want to smell every leaf and always have to catch the leaf that opposite where I am walking. AND most of all I love running in my friends fenced in yard. I do not like kennels (I am told I protest too much) but I sleep nicely with my humans and love to curl up next to them whenever I can, sit in a lap or follow them from room to room. When we go new places, I ride in a bag over my human’s shoulder and peek my head out till I am comfortable. Sometimes when I am playing my tongue sticks out and I am told I am soooo cute. I really am working at potty training. My human takes me outside frequently and most of the time I get a head rub and treat when I do “potty”. At night I wear a bellyband and sometimes during the day if we know we won’t get out timely.I have not figured out how to let people know I need to go out.

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Hi, I’m Snoopy  You’d never guess it, but I started my journey a little rough. My sister-from-another-mister, Lucy Van Pelt, and I were found emaciated and abandoned in a private, fenced area. Despite this, I looove people. I want to wear foster mom.   I'm the cuddliest dog ever. Extra strength velcro.  Mom says the family that adopts me is the luckiest ever! She says I'll go so fast! I mean, I'd love to do agility training! Oh, that's not what she meant, exactly. But, still.  My specialities include:  Throwing myself dramatically backwards, and hoping you catch me in time and give me belly rubs.   Melting straight into your body like warm butter.   Begging (very politely) to be picked up... and carried.   Cuddling - Truly my #1 passion  Being quiet as a mouse… unless I’m in a kennel (and honestly, I don’t need one!) My ideal family would let me sleep in bed with them at night. If that's a non-negotiable, I hope you like screaming and heavy metal music.  Meaning, we will negotiate, I will win. A family that has other dogs, kids and cats would be great. I’m potty trained on a schedule, suuuuper sweet, and smart! Total. Package.  Love, Snoopy  Snoopy is from a local impound. 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. If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can   donate     to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.     Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.December 4, 2025, 2:21 pm

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Thank you for stopping by to see me!  Please fill out an application to set up  a private meeting.  Sylvester is a gentle, goofy, heart-melting Cavalier who seems to float through life like a sweet little cloud of friendliness. He loves every person and every dog he meets, and he approaches the world with the soft, hopeful curiosity of someone who truly believes everyone out there is his new best friend. Walks are his favorite adventure, but occasionally he becomes so emotionally attached to a dog he just met that he stops in the middle of the sidewalk and refuses to move when they walk away. Luckily, he thinks being picked up and carried like a princely toddler is absolutely delightful, and once he’s had his emotional reset, he trots forward again as if nothing happened. At home, Sylvester is a pro at cozy companionship. He loves curling up against your leg, snoozing on your lap, and following his chosen person from room to room like a loyal little shadow. If you disappear, even just into the bathroom, he reacts with the tragic heartbreak of a 90s rom-com hero. He’s mastered stairs most of the time, but on certain days he decides he is far too precious for such physical exertion and politely waits for someone to carry him up or down. He won’t jump onto furniture on his own, but he absolutely loves being lifted onto the couch so he can lounge in comfort like the elegant gentleman he is. Sylvester recently had a dental and lost quite a few teeth, so he’s still adjusting to eating comfortably. He can be a bit of a diva about food and may request that his first bite be lovingly hand-fed to him before he’ll consider eating the rest from a bowl. He isn’t wild about treats, which may be the most shocking thing about him, but he compensates with endless sweetness, gentle cuddles, and heart-melting devotion.   Sylvester is still working on potty training due to some marking behavior, but he has already shown huge improvement since his neuter. He sleeps beautifully in his crate overnight and will only complain for a moment if crated during the day before settling down with a sigh. He loves car rides, loves meeting people of all ages, and is gentle enough to fit into almost any home. If you don’t have a fence, he kindly asks for walks and to join you on adventures! If you’re looking for a soft, sweet, slightly dramatic little gentleman who wants nothing more than to be adored, carried occasionally, and loved forever, Sylvester is ready to follow you anywhere… except right after another dog has walked away, in which case he may need a quick lift. Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.   ***Be sure to check your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there*** Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.If you have other questions about me you can email Underdog Rescue at <inquiries@underdogrescuemn.com> ADOPTION EVENTS:      Adoption events are updated at the top of each dogs animals' as their foster home signs up. Check back for updates on which events they will be attending. If an event is not listed within their bio above, the animal is not planning to attend.  Please understand that all of our pets are in volunteer foster homes and sometimes "life" happens and the foster family cannot make it to their scheduled adoption event. If you are traveling from a far distance to meet a specific animal, please understand we cannot guarantee event attendance. We recommend filling out an application and we will set up a private appointment. Private appointments are only scheduled after an application is submitted and approved. ADOPTION PROCEDURE: The first step in our process is to complete an online adoption application on our website: http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/adoptionprocess/   Note: In most circumstances Underdog Rescue will only adopt within 60 miles of Minneapolis, MN.  All of our foster animals can be seen by appointment with an approved adoption application. Contact us at http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/contact-us/ if you have further questions. FOSTER CARE: All of our animals are fostered in individual homes or doggie daycare facilities. While they are in our care, they are part of our families and given lots of love. We work on training, crate-training and socialization prior to adoption, but each bio is written by the foster as they see them, in their home. Each animal's behavior is evaluated and we have a sense of its temperament and personality, but it cannot be guaranteed. We look for adopters who will give each animal the wonderful life and permanent home that he or she deserves in time and with patience.  If you have an interest and ability to be a foster home, please visit our website  www.underdogrescuemn.com/foster-applications  and fill out a foster application. NUTRITION: Nutrition is vital to the rehabilitation and life-long health of our pets.  All of our foster animals are fed a premium diet such as NutriSource, Canidae, Orijen, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Pure Vita, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, or balanced raw diet.  All adopters are required to continue providing premium diets for the life of the animal. YOU CAN HELP: Not able to foster or adopt right now? Please consider sponsoring an Underdog. Your donation will help us buy dog food and pay for medical costs. Visit this link  www.underdogrescuemn.com/donate   to donate.  (Please note: A Paypal account is not necessary to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal page, just use the link to the left of their login to make your donation via Paypal without an account.) December 4, 2025, 1:38 pm