Dogs are beloved pets for many families, but sometimes circumstances arise where a family can no longer keep their dog. This often leads to dogs being surrendered to animal shelters. But when does this usually happen? At what age are most dogs given up to shelters?
The Majority of Surrendered Dogs are Young Adults
According to data from shelters across the United States, the most common age for dogs to be surrendered is from 6 months to 2 years old. This accounts for about 30-40% of shelter intakes. So while puppies get adopted quickly, young adult dogs between 1-2 years old face the highest risk of ending up in a shelter.
There are a few key reasons for this:
- Puppies are very cute and highly desirable, so they get adopted fast. But after the “puppy phase” ends, some families lose interest.
- Dogs go through adolescence around 6-18 months old. They have more energy and require more training/exercise at this age. Some families find this difficult to handle.
- Many behavioral issues like chewing, jumping, and poor leash manners arise during adolescence. Families may surrender adolescent dogs with these “teenage” behaviors.
In essence, the transition from cute puppy to difficult adolescent is when many dogs get surrendered. Families enjoy the baby phase but aren’t equipped for the teenage phase.
Senior Dogs Also at High Risk
Another surrender peak happens in senior dogs over 8 years old. Approximately 15-20% of surrendered dogs are seniors. There are a few reasons this happens:
- Senior dogs are more likely to develop health problems like arthritis and require more medical care. Some families cannot afford this.
- Elderly dogs may develop behavior issues like loss of house training. Caring for these needs is difficult for some owners.
- Some people surrender dogs when they get old because they want to get a younger, healthier dog.
Sadly, senior dogs get adopted at much lower rates than younger dogs. Their age, health issues, and care needs turn many people off.
Are Certain Breeds More Likely to Be Surrendered?
Some sources report that specific breeds show up more often in shelters. However, identifying breed accurately is difficult with mixed-breed dogs. The best available research relies on owner-reported breed at the time of surrender.
One study reviewed records on over 1.5 million dogs entering shelters across the U.S. The most commonly surrendered breeds were:
Breed | Percentage of Shelter Intakes |
---|---|
Labrador Retriever | 9.3% |
Chihuahua | 6.5% |
Pit Bull | 6.3% |
German Shepherd | 5.7% |
Boxer | 4.4% |
Labrador retrievers topped the list due to the breed’s popularity—they account for about one quarter of registered dogs in the U.S. Pit bulls and Chihuahuas appear more frequently than expected based on their total populations.
However, this data is limited. Breed identifications were not confirmed and may be inaccurate. There are also no controls for things like breed popularity in each location.
How Long Do Most Owners Have Dogs Before Surrendering Them?
Many people assume shelter dogs have had multiple homes. But the evidence shows most surrendered dogs were only with one family before arriving at the shelter:
- One study found the median age at surrender was 1.5 years. This means most dogs were surrendered before their second birthday, allowing minimal time with one home.
- Another survey showed over 60% of people surrendering dogs had owned that dog for under 1 year.
- Fewer than 10% of surrendered dogs had been rehomed previously according to owner reports.
In summary, most surrendered dogs were kept only by their original family before arriving at the shelter. The rehoming of dogs between multiple homes seems to be uncommon.
Reasons for Surrendering Dogs to Shelters
Why do so many dogs end up surrendered to shelters in the first place? Here are some top reported reasons:
- Behavioral issues – Aggression, inappropriate elimination, hyperactivity, anxiety, and other problematic behaviors. Hardest for owners to manage.
- Lack of time – Owners having schedule changes, long work hours, family obligations, or lifestyle conflicts preventing dog care.
- Housing issues – People being unable to find affordable pet-friendly housing or landlords prohibiting dogs.
- Cost – Not being able to afford food, medical care, training classes, boarding, and other expenses for the dog.
- Personal problems – Health issues, family changes, divorce, military deployment, or other crises leaving owners unable to keep the dog.
Although less common, other reported reasons included allergies, house soiling issues, illness of the dog, and lack of responsibility of children to care for the dog.
Can We Prevent So Many Dogs Being Surrendered?
Such a high rate of dog surrender is preventable with education, social support, and accessible veterinary care. Some ways to keep dogs out of shelters include:
- New puppy owner classes to set families up for success.
- Affordable training and behavior support.
- Programs that provide temporary foster care during owner crises.
- Assistance with pet deposits and pet-friendly housing.
- Low-cost vet care and pet food banks.
- Advertising senior and special needs dogs to find them good homes.
With education, support, and community resources, many dogs could stay in loving homes instead of ending up abandoned at shelters through no fault of their own. Prevention of surrender should be a priority alongside adoption efforts.
Conclusion
The peak age for dogs entering shelters is 6 months to 2 years old, as they transition from puppyhood to adolescence. Senior dogs over 8 years old also have high surrender rates and low adoption prospects. Though some breeds show up more frequently in shelters, these statistics are unreliable. Most surrendered dogs have only had one home previously. Behavior problems, lack of owner time, and housing issues are the most common reasons dogs end up at shelters. More education, training support, and community resources could help prevent so many dogs being surrendered by unprepared owners.