Big Dogs, Long Waits: New Report Sheds Light on the Large-Dog Adoption Gap

A new national survey finds that large dogs are sitting in shelters longer than their smaller counterparts, and the reasons why may surprise you.

If you work in or around a shelter, you already know the anecdote: the big, goofy Lab mix who's been in a kennel for months while the Chihuahuas cycle out in days. Turns out the data backs that up in a significant way.

Hill's Pet Nutrition released its 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report this week, with this year's edition taking a focused look at large-dog adoption specifically. The report draws on a survey of 2,000 Americans across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and the findings paint a pretty clear picture of why these dogs are getting passed over.

According to data from Shelter Animals Count, a program of the ASPCA, 2.8 million dogs entered U.S. shelters in 2025. Large dogs made up just 26 percent of those intakes, yet they logged the longest median lengths of stay and claimed the smallest share of total adoptions compared to medium and small dogs. That imbalance is adding real pressure to shelters that are already stretched thin.

Confidence Is the Missing Ingredient

The survey identified low adopter confidence as one of the biggest drivers of hesitancy. Among respondents who said they were likely to adopt a large dog, 89 percent reported feeling confident in their ability to handle and care for one. That number dropped to just 33 percent among those who said they were unlikely to adopt. That is not a small gap.

This is worth noting for veterinary professionals. Clients regularly underestimate their ability to manage a larger animal, even when the practical barriers are manageable. There is a real opportunity here for clinics and shelters to play a more active role in building adopter confidence before and after placement.

Cost Is Still King

When asked what would most increase their likelihood of adopting a large dog, financial incentives came out on top. Thirty-four percent of respondents pointed to lower adoption fees, 31 percent cited free or discounted training, and another 31 percent said financial assistance with initial costs would be a deciding factor.

That tracks. Larger dogs generally mean larger food bills, larger crates, larger everything. For potential adopters already working through the math of pet ownership, those numbers can be enough to tip the decision toward a smaller animal or no animal at all.

Gen Z and Millennials Want Big Dogs. Their Leases Don't.

Here is the demographic wrinkle: younger generations are actually the most enthusiastic about large-dog adoption. Gen Z and Millennials were nearly twice as likely to consider adopting a large dog from a shelter compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers. But that interest runs headfirst into structural realities. Younger adults are more likely to rent, more likely to live in apartments, and far more likely to be subject to breed restrictions and weight limits in their leases.

The enthusiasm is there. The housing market is working against it.

Why This Report Matters

Hill's has been producing the State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report annually since 2023, and this fourth edition is the first to zoom in on a specific population of shelter animals. The decision to focus on large dogs reflects a real and ongoing problem in the animal welfare space, and the data-driven approach gives shelters and rescue organizations something concrete to work with when designing outreach and support programs.

Credit where it is due: commissioning this kind of research, and making the findings publicly available, is the right move for the industry. Understanding what is actually keeping adoptions from happening is the first step toward fixing it.

The 35 percent of respondents who said they were likely to adopt a large dog, plus the additional 19 percent who remained neutral, represent a meaningful window of opportunity. The report argues that with the right information and support structures in place, that neutral group could be moved to yes.

For veterinary teams working alongside shelters and rescues, this data is directly applicable. Whether it is having a conversation with a nervous potential adopter about what large-dog ownership actually looks like day to day, or advocating for more robust post-adoption support programs, there are real roles for vet professionals to play in closing this gap.

The full report is available at HillsShelterReport.com.

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Source: Hill's Pet Nutrition 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report; Shelter Animals Count / ASPCA.