Small rescue dogs for adoption and rehoming in and around Exeter

As of 8 November 2026, 5 small dogs are listed for adoption in and around Exeter on LocalPetFinder, from Animals in Distress (Torbay & Westcountry) and Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary. All are with rescues within about 25 miles of Exeter, each shown with its town and distance. Each profile links to the rescue, and you apply to adopt with them directly.

As of 8 November 2026, Animals in Distress (Torbay & Westcountry) (at Ipplepen, about 17 miles away): 3 and Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary (at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away): 2. By age, that is 2 puppies, 1 adult dog and 1 older dog, plus 1 with no age given. The newest was added on 7 November 2026. Each profile links to the rescue, which handles the adoption.

By today's listings in and around Exeter: Jack Russells (3), Terrier crosses (2), French Bulldogs (1), Chihuahuas (1) and Dachshunds (1). Breed labels on rescue listings are often a best guess, so read each profile.

Yes: 1 small dog of the 5 listed in and around Exeter is aged 7 or over by their listed age. Some rescues charge less for older dogs: Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. See every older dog in Exeter.

Often, though energy and noise can matter as much as size in a flat. As of 8 November 2026, 1 of the 5 small dogs listed in and around Exeter is also on our flat-friendly dogs page, which lists the dogs whose rescue says they suit a flat and the small dogs rated low or moderate energy. If you rent, check your tenancy allows a dog before you apply.

It depends on the breed and the dog. The Royal Kennel Club gives up to 30 minutes per day for the Maltese and up to 1 hour per day for the Boston Terrier. Ask the rescue how much exercise a particular dog is used to.

Among small breeds, The Royal Kennel Club lists the Maltese, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Schnauzer, Toy Poodle, Havanese and Lhasa Apso as breeds that do not shed. A coat that does not shed keeps growing, so expect more grooming, not less: it suggests grooming every day for the Maltese, once a week for the Italian Greyhound and more than once a week for the Miniature Schnauzer. Rescue dogs whose breed is known for shedding very little are on our hypoallergenic dogs page.

It depends on the dog, not its size or age. As of 8 November 2026, the rescues mark 5 of the 5 small dogs listed in and around Exeter as able to live with children, 0 with cats and 0 with other dogs. Where a profile says nothing, ask the rescue, and supervise early meetings with children whatever the dog.

The small dogs listed in and around Exeter today are with Animals in Distress (Torbay & Westcountry) at Ipplepen, about 17 miles away (3) and Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away (2); each profile shows that rescue's fee. Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.

No. We don't list animals for sale. Every small dog on this page is with a rescue or rehoming centre. The 5 small dogs listed in and around Exeter today are with Animals in Distress (Torbay & Westcountry) at Ipplepen, about 17 miles away (3) and Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away (2), and each rescue shows its own fee on the profile. For comparison, Dogs Trust £300, and Blue Cross from £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. In England, Lucy's Law has meant since 6 April 2020 that puppies under six months can't be sold by a third party such as a pet shop or dealer: you buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rehoming centre.

Not here: we only list dogs with rescues, so every small dog listed here is adopted for the rescue's fee, which usually covers vet work already done. Whether to buy is your choice. Adopting means the rescue can tell you what it knows about the dog's history and health before you apply. If you decide to buy, The Royal Kennel Club runs a Find a Puppy service, and Dogs Trust's breed guides suggest talking to your vet first: they say some practices offer pre-purchase consultations on likely health conditions and rough costs.

Usually not. UK rescues normally ask for an adoption fee, which pays towards neutering, microchipping and vaccinations. Of the 5 small dogs listed in and around Exeter today, each shows its rescue's fee on the profile; the nearest rescue is Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away. Many rescue fees are under £500: Dogs Trust charges £300, and Blue Cross from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. An animal offered "free to a good home" is usually a private advert rather than a rescue. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by 8 weeks old, and in England, Wales and Scotland a dog can't pass to a new keeper until it is chipped, so ask to see the microchip details.

Both, though adults outnumber puppies: as of 8 November 2026, 2 puppies of the 5 small dogs listed in and around Exeter are 12 months or under by their listed age. Puppies are usually rehomed quickly, so an email alert beats checking back.

As of 8 November 2026, the small dogs listed in and around Exeter are with Animals in Distress (Torbay & Westcountry) at Ipplepen, about 17 miles away (3) and Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away (2). The nearest to Exeter is Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) Ottery St Mary at Ottery St Mary, about 10 miles away. You can also see small dogs across England. To see what is closest to you, search by postcode with the pet finder on our home page. To hear when one is listed, set up an email alert on this page.