Large dogs face longer shelter stays as adopter confidence lags

Large dogs are spending longer in shelters than smaller dogs, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition says adopter hesitation is a big reason why. In its new 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report: Spotlight on Large Dogs, released March 10, Hill’s said large dogs made up 26% of U.S. shelter dog intakes in 2025 but had the longest median length of stay and the smallest share of total adoptions compared with medium and small dogs. The company’s survey of 2,000 Americans found that 35% said they’d be likely to adopt a large dog, but confidence in handling and caring for one dropped sharply among people unlikely to adopt. Cost concerns, housing restrictions, and uncertainty about training and day-to-day management also emerged as key barriers. (prnewswire.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the report adds data to a problem shelter teams have been describing for years: large dogs are not necessarily entering shelters in disproportionate numbers, but they’re staying longer, which increases crowding, stress, disease risk, and resource strain. Shelter Animals Count has similarly reported that large dogs continue to log the highest days from intake to adoption, reinforcing that this is a system-level capacity issue, not just a marketing problem. Hill’s findings also point to practical intervention points for clinics and shelter medicine teams, including clearer counseling on expected care costs, behavior and training support, and post-adoption guidance that can help hesitant pet parents feel more prepared. (shelteranimalscount.org)

What to watch: Expect more shelters, corporate partners, and veterinary teams to test adoption incentives, training support, and cost-transparency programs aimed specifically at moving large dogs out of long-stay status. (prnewswire.com)