American Staffordshire Terrier puppies and dogs in Falls Church, Virginia

Imagine finding a tiny, shivering soul, barely five weeks old, abandoned on the cold, unforgiving edge of a highway. That was Archer. He and his brother, covered in fleas and desperately malnourished, were found just in time, their fragile lives hanging in the balance. Thankfully, a loving foster family opened their hearts and home, offering them warmth, care, and a second chance. The first time his fosters took Archer and his brother into the backyard, the fear of being abandoned again was overwhelming. They ran back to their fosters, crying and shaking, a heart-wrenching reminder of their difficult start. Archer's journey has been one of resilience and transformation. He's blossomed in his foster home, surrounded by a menagerie of furry and feathered friends – dogs, cats, goats, ducks, and chickens. He's learned the joy of playful romps with big dogs, the gentle art of respecting boundaries (mostly!), and the comfort of snuggling close to a warm lap. This sweet boy, with the most endearing face you've ever seen, is a cuddle connoisseur. He'll happily settle on your lap, or as close as he can get, showering you with affection. He's a true helper, always eager to be involved in whatever you're doing. He's treat-motivated, which makes training a breeze, though he might need some guidance to remember that everyone has their own food bowl! Archer is kennel trained, but he's used to a bustling household filled with love and activity. He sleeps with a pillow, often burrowing under blankets, and he cherishes the feeling of being held close – a comfort he discovered as a tiny, vulnerable pup. Now, at about five months old and 40 pounds, Archer is growing into a big, strong boy, but his heart remains as tender as ever. He's searching for a forever home where he can share his boundless love and loyalty. He'd thrive with a family who understands his gentle nature, continues his training, and cherishes his affectionate spirit. Archer's journey began in hardship, but his story is one of hope and the enduring power of love. Will you be the one to write the next chapter of his happy ever after? Will not thrive or do well in an apartment.

Meet Twix. This handsome Bully boy was found tied to a pole as a very young pup. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan saw him, took him in, and ensured he found his way to rescue. Twix has proven to be a vibrant, sweet, and smart boy, and we are thrilled to help him find his forever home. Twix is living with seasoned fosters, Laine and Gary, who have four dogs of their own. He was an easy introduction to their pack and quickly formed a bond with Ziege, their youngest dog, who is about his size. Twix thrives in an active environment and enjoys rough-and-tumble play, making him best suited for a home with a dog his size or larger who shares his energy and play style. Laine shared, “Twix is very sweet and knows his name, comes when called, knows how to sit, and loves his belly rubs. He loves to play chase with Girl and Ziege, and tug-of-war is his favorite game. He gets in the kiddie pools a lot and just about anything is a toy to him — my shoes, the laundry basket. He does great meeting new people and will talk to you from time to time. It’s the cutest thing.” Twix has shown himself to be adaptable and eager to learn. He’s housetrained, crate-trained, and has started mastering basic commands. He rides great in the car and does well meeting new people and other dogs. He has decent leash skills; he may pull a bit but improves with practice. Twix is very treat-motivated and learns quickly, so continued training in his new home will be a rewarding experience for both him and his adopters. He’s still a young pup who can get into mischief if bored or left to his own devices, so structure will be important for him. We believe that Twix will need an active home. He’d thrive with a family who appreciates his fun and goofy personality and is committed to giving him the structure and love he deserves. While he loves the company of other dogs, Twix would also be happy as the center of attention in a single dog home, provided he has plenty of interaction and activity. This lovable boy has so much to offer and is ready to bring joy, laughter, and unconditional love to his new family. If you’re looking for a loyal, active, and playful companion, Twix might just be the perfect fit for you. Apply today!   BREED ESTIMATE:  American Staffordshire/Bulldog/Bully Mix = Super cute! GENDER: Male APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:  46 lbs  APPROXIMATE AGE: ~  1 to 1.5 years old COAT TYPE:  short coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 VET INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped LOCATION:  Centreville, VA   FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. April 18, 2025, 8:40 am

Meet Polly! This petite Bully girl with adorable ears and a zest for life has blossomed in her foster home.  She had an unfair start in life, but her natural joy is unmatched. She loves her foster parents and her pack, romping in the yard, and playing with toys, and she is a champion snuggler!  Polly came to us from a rural shelter. She had been confiscated as a puppy by Animal Control from a bad home situation and was held as "evidence" until her prior owner was taken to court. Polly was rescued so young, she had little exposure to the outside world at the shelter before she came into rescue — stairs, car rides, and walks in a neighborhood were all new to her, so she had some catching up to do. Thankfully Polly has had two incredible foster families that changed the course of her life. Timid dogs like Polly typically need more time in their foster home to be ready for adoption. Polly was fortunate to have foster parents who worked with her, gradually exposing her to new things, and expanding her horizons. She has flourished with some TLC and her trusty dog pack by her side. Polly loves other dogs and would do best with a pup playmate in her new home. She gains confidence from other dogs and will continue to thrive with a playmate. FOSTER MOM UPDATE -9/29/24 We checked in with her foster mom, Shaleia, for an update: “Polly has come such a long way during her time with us! It has been a pleasure to watch her grow into the confident, loving, and playful dog that she is. She is no longer fearful of car rides or outings to town and really enjoys going on walks, especially if there are lots of new smells to explore. We usually walk her solo because she has a higher energy level than our other two and appreciates a much longer walk. On these solo walks she is one of the easiest dogs on leash I’ve ever handled, she is not reactive at all and doesn’t pull. Polly loves other dogs and has gained confidence from being part of a pack. She fell in love with our two dogs right away, but it did take us humans a little time to earn her trust. Watching her now you wouldn’t believe it! She is very affectionate and loves to cuddle and give kisses. It melts my heart when she comes up to me and pushes her head and shoulder into my chest for a hug. While Polly warmed up to me first, she loves to snuggle and play with my husband and our 11-year-old too. Her two favorite things in life are toys and treats. She can easily entertain herself with a new toy but gets so much joy out of playing tug and keep-away with her people. She loves to chase a ball - and she is fast - but it wouldn’t be fair to call it ‘fetch’ since you have to do some work to get it back, lol. It’s fun to watch Polly play, she is a real athlete and fearlessly leaps and twists to catch her toys. And when it’s time for a treat, Polly can hardly contain her joy and shows off her tap dancing skills. She will toss it, dance and prance around her treasure, and have her own little party. She treasures her toys and is the resident toy hoarder, always having one close by. Polly can still be timid in new situations at first, but she gains confidence more quickly with repeated exposure. Once she's comfortable with a person or place, you get to see her confident and sassy personality emerge. She’s made progress in every area of her development, especially in our home. We’ve proven that she’s good with men, women, and kids. She loves my husband and has proven to be an equal-opportunity snuggler." ********* Leash Skills - One major improvement area has been walks. I think she would be just fine walking through more dense neighborhoods now, though she appreciates the more natural walking trails. She really enjoys long walks and marches at a good pace, but also likes to be able to stop and sniff the roses... and other things. She does best on paths she knows, but she only needs to visit a new route a few times to gain confidence. She's comfortable with bikes/strollers/etc and just keeps walking.   Meeting New People - Polly is better at meeting strangers. She doesn't try to keep as much distance and seems more curious about them.  Having another dog there makes it easier on her because she'll be excited to say hi if they are. She follows their lead. She still takes time to trust new people and needs trust to be earned, but she has no ill will toward anyone, she just needs time to trust and verify they are OK. My friend who comes over for playdates has made great progress with Polly. We had her come into the house on the last visit to see how Polly would react and it went well. There was no barking or extra shy behavior. Now when we hang out, Polly will come up to her to say hi, get a couple of scratches, and give a lick to her hand too… Crate - She is crate-trained. We use the crate when the humans are out of the house. At night, she will go to her crate on her own when she sees us starting to get ready for bed. I think the crate is her safe, secure space and she sleeps through the night without issue.  Training/Commands - She knows a handful of commands but isn't always consistent with them. She's pretty good with 'leave it' and 'sit', though she is often so wiggly she doesn't stay in sit long She knows 'down' and 'stay'. Overall, she does well learning our routines and generally knows what we expect of her and is responsive, but she still has the excitement level that can distract her at times.” ****** We are looking for a loving, patient owner for Polly who will give her time to settle in and adjust to her new surroundings. We feel another social, playful, established dog in her home will help her trust and adapt more quickly. She will do best in a quieter neighborhood vs. city or condo setting.  If given a chance, this sweet girl will charm you, and we can promise she will make you smile and laugh every day. Apply today!   BREED ESTIMATE: Terrier/Pocket Pittie mix GENDER: Female APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: ~ 35 lbs  APPROXIMATE AGE: ~  4 years old COAT TYPE:  short ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: utd on shots/spayed/microchipped LOCATION: Warrenton, VA   FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. February 11, 2025, 4:45 pm

Meet Paloma. This sweet girl’s story begins in Elgin, SC, where two Good Samaritans spotted her running loose through their neighborhood. They were able to safely catch her and quickly discovered she lived just a few houses down. But when they returned Paloma to her home, what they found was deeply troubling Paloma had been living outside in the winter cold, with only a dilapidated metal cage on the back deck for shelter. The cage was filled with debris and covered by a thin, threadbare blanket, offering no protection from the cold. She had broken out of the cage and escaped the yard through a damaged fence panel. When they spoke to her owner, she asked them if they had any rope to tie Paloma down. Stunned by the request, the Good Samaritans offered to keep Paloma for a few nights while the fence was being repaired. Paloma never returned to that backyard. What started as a temporary stay became much more, and the couple became her foster family. The very next day, they took her to the vet to make sure she was okay. Paloma was not spayed and tested heartworm positive from living outside without protection. They reached out to Worthy Dog for help and committed to fostering Paloma so she could get the care she needed. Paloma has now been fully vetted and treated for heartworm and is a young, healthy, active pup.  Paloma has truly blossomed in their care. She was nervous and unsure at first, but with time and patience, her vibrant personality has emerged. She's being fostered with two other dogs and two cats, and thrives as part of the pack. Fast forward four months: Paloma recently began formal training to work on her leash skills and basic obedience. She’s come a long way and is now ready for the next chapter—finding a forever home of her own. ********* FOSTER MOM Q&A We checked in with her foster mom, McKenna, for a little Q&A on Paloma - a.k.a - Palumbo, Peanut, and Paloma Bear.  How does she do with your dogs?  Paloma is great with our dogs! One of them, Vee, warmed up to her within a day or two, now they’re best buddies. Our other dog, Carmela, is more reserved but was completely unbothered by Paloma’s presence. Both dogs readily accepted her into the pack. We also have two cats. While Paloma is a little disappointed that they won’t play with her, she’s never been aggressive, just curious. What’s her energy level like?  Paloma is a solid medium-energy dog. She loves to play and gets excited when you come home. She just likes to be where the action is! She enjoys comfy blankets or cushions and is great at settling down inside with the other dogs. She also loves to explore the yard. While she has occasional energy bursts, her default is a moderate energy level.  How are her leash-walking skills?  She’s a curious girl who loves to sniff and take in the world on walks. Training has really helped with her pulling, and she’s now much more focused on us and not as easily distracted. She’s very comfortable on the leash and improving every week. What’s her personality like?  At first, Paloma can be a bit shy, but she opens up quickly. Once she trusts you, she’s more extroverted than introverted and definitely confident. She’s affectionate and expressive. She loves to snuggle and wants to be part of the group. When she wants your attention, she’ll let you know! Is she housetrained or crate trained?  Paloma is fully housetrained. We used the crate early on to give her a “safe space,” and while she would occasionally go in on her own, she preferred being out in the open with us. How does she greet new people and visitors?  She gets excited and may want to jump up to say hello—she just loves people! We’ve been working on manners in training, helping her learn to sit and stay calm. She’s improving every day and always wants to be included in whatever’s going on. What are her biggest joys or favorite things?  Paloma loves going for walks, playing with Vee, and snuggling. Tug-of-war is her favorite game, though she can’t quite keep up with Vee’s stamina. She’s into plush toys and soft blankets, she’ll chew on or carry around a fleece blanket like a comfort object. She thrives on positive attention; being talked to, petted, or simply included makes her so happy. She’s also wonderfully behaved at mealtime and knows to sit for treats. How is she in the car and on outings?  Paloma rides well and loves sitting in the front seat. She’s calm, smiley, and loves watching out the window. We’ve taken her to the vet, the park, and training sessions, and she handles it all with ease. She’s even great during vet visits and calmly lets them trim her nails. Final thoughts? Paloma has truly been a joy. She’s a sweet, affectionate dog who just wants love, kindness, and to be part of a family. She’s come a long way and is ready for her forever home. ****** Paloma is ready for the next chapter, a forever home of her own. If you are interested in fostering or want to consider foster-to-adopt, apply today!   BREED ESTIMATE: American Staffordshire Terrier Mix GENDER: Female APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:  56 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 3 years old COAT TYPE:  short coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 VET INFO: utd on shots/spayed/microchipped/treated for heartworm LOCATION: Elgin, SC - Coming to town in May   FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. May 15, 2025, 3:29 pm

Rosie was dropped off into this fosters neighborhood and left to fend for herself after obviously having puppies. She went door to door asking to be let in — it was January and rainy and this indoor girl was beside herself. After 10 days begging for help, she found the right neighbor who gave me a call and I brought her into my foster home. She had terrible skin allergies and was oh so hungry! For months she stared at trucks and on walks sat next to trucks — likely hoping it was her people’s truck and surely they were coming back for her. That was Jan ‘23. Flash forward to now, she is a solid 85# and allergies controlled, fur is gorgeous, and she loooooooooves everyone she meets ESPECIALLY men!!! She gets a daily walk and has become a neighborhood celebrity knowing everybody! Lawnmowing guys, city service trucks, linemen, neighbors…. literally stop what they are doing to come give her some petting and a happy hello! A lonnnng roll in the grass is required before walks are complete. She happily wears her raincoat on rainy days and winter coat in the cold months. Rosie has perfect housemanners and asks for very little. She needs to be the only pet in the house though, preferring to be Queen of her kingdom. She requires monthly meds for allergies. Her mast cell tumor was removed with all margins clear, and her Lymes disease treated. She loves car rides and going into stores and meeting everyone she can. A home where she can be Queen is her dream and mine. A busy foster home that requires her to be kept separated is not the ideal place for this social butterfly. Contact irondawgs13@gmail.com for adoption application

Hello my name is Ghost I am a two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. I have lots of energy however with a good walk or a good game of fetch I calm right down. I crate like a dream I also usually sleep in my crate but would also be happy to sleep in bed with you. I have fantastic recall if I do say so myself. I am still working on leave it and drop it. I know how to walk on a leash i LOVE to sniff everything I come with my own harness and Leash. my current owner has no cats or kids so I dont know if I do well with either. Also my current owner does have a dog but she is old and is not a fan of my energetic antics. I am not sure how I feel about that. please consider this when considering me. I think that maybe I might do better with a more energetic friend. I am very food motivated and a fantastic snuggler. I do prefer being under the covers with you. I am fully potty trained. I come with toys and a slow feeder which I NEED