Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Story
* Interested in adopting? Please read the dog’s full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an application at www.dpsrescue.org. All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, May 16th from 12-3 PM unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.org/adopt/dog-application/. Adoption fee: $650 Inspector Gadget: Case Files of a Very Opinionated Little Detective Inspector Gadget is a 10–12 month old, 20 lb Tibetan Terrier/Havanese mix with an incredibly soft non-shedding coat and the kind of expressive face that makes you feel like he’s constantly analyzing the room. Which, honestly, he probably is. Inspector is smart in a very real way. Not just “knows sit for a cookie” smart, but emotionally observant smart. He studies people. He figures out dynamics quickly. He understands who is confident, who is soft, who is playful, who is serious, and he adjusts himself accordingly. His foster jokingly says he came into the house like a rookie detective assessing a crime scene and assigning everyone their role. He immediately decided the younger child was his official toy-throwing department, while the teenage daughter earned his respectful coworker energy. He’s affectionate and connected without being clingy, playful without being wild, and independent without being aloof. He has a very balanced personality that makes him feel less like a chaotic puppy and more like a fully formed little guy with opinions, routines, and a surprisingly mature sense of self. And despite all this detective business, he’s also deeply funny. Inspector relocates his toys and beds around the house one item at a time like he’s redesigning the evidence room. He taps you politely with his paw when he thinks it’s time for affection. He sometimes follows you room to room, but more like a curious supervisor than a velcro dog. If you’re having a bad day, he has this wonderfully steady way of reminding you that life is actually pretty good: go for a walk, toss a toy, sit together for a while. Problem solved. Daily Briefing Inspector runs his life on a very reliable internal schedule. He wakes up around 7 AM and, while he won’t dramatically demand breakfast, he will absolutely make it known that morning has arrived. He’ll groom himself loudly, shuffle around the bed, sniff your face, and radiate increasing levels of “we both know it’s time.” He sleeps in bed with his people and is actually very respectful about personal space. He likes closeness, but he also appreciates clear boundaries and communicates surprisingly well for a dog. His mornings start with a longer 30+ minute walk followed by breakfast. During the workday, he settles nicely nearby while his foster works and is generally content hanging out independently. If someone is cooking, however, Inspector firmly believes he has been appointed sous chef and should supervise the kitchen at close range. In the evenings, he enjoys another walk followed by dinner, training, toy time, or TV cuddles. This is usually when his playful side really comes out. He loves toys, enjoys interactive play, and then settles beautifully once his social battery is full. The Important Stuff Inspector is a really good dog. He is also a young dog still learning about trust, boundaries, and emotional regulation. When he first arrived, he was protective over toys and bones and would growl if someone walked by while he had something valuable. His foster family has done excellent work helping him feel safer through trading games, calm handling, and structure, and he has already improved tremendously. The growling is now rare, but adopters should understand that resource guarding tendencies can still appear, especially around high-value items. He is also particular about physical handling. Most of the time he enjoys affection and closeness, but there are moments when he does not want to be touched in certain areas, especially when resting. He communicates discomfort clearly with growling. Because of this, Inspector needs people who respect dog communication and won’t overwhelm him physically “because he’s cute.” The good news is that Inspector is not unpredictable or chaotic. Quite the opposite. He is extremely communicative and emotionally honest. He tells you how he feels very clearly. He thrives with people who listen. He’s fully housetrained, walks nicely with improving leash manners, and does well being home alone during the workday. He can get excited and pull toward birds, squirrels, or potential dog friends on walks, but he’s making good progress checking in with his people. He likes other dogs and often tries to initiate play, though his enthusiasm can occasionally be a bit much for more reserved dogs. Inspector would likely do best with older kids or dog-savvy teens who understand boundaries and respectful interaction. He’s playful and social, but during exciting games he may accidentally grab a hand while going for a toy. He’s not a dog for constant hugging and chaotic handling. Why People Fall for Inspector What makes Inspector special is that he feels incredibly genuine. He’s thoughtful, funny, expressive, affectionate, stubborn, clever, observant, and ridiculously soft all at once. He knows commands. He just occasionally likes to negotiate their terms. Sometimes he’ll inspect the treat before deciding whether your request is worth his time. Sometimes he pretends not to understand something he absolutely understands. Sometimes he stares at you like he’s filing a formal complaint about your decision-making. And somehow all of it is charming. Inspector Gadget is not looking for people who want a blank slate robot dog. He’s looking for people who appreciate personality, communication, intelligence, and connection. In return, he offers companionship that feels remarkably real — like living with a tiny detective who genuinely wants to be part of your life, your routines, and your team.May 14, 2026, 12:10 am
