Small rescue dogs for adoption and rehoming in Northern Ireland

As of 8 November 2026, 22 small dogs are listed for adoption in Northern Ireland on LocalPetFinder, from Almost Home Animal Rescue NI, Assisi Animal Sanctuary, Paws and People, The Barn Animal Rescue, Friends Of Rescue NI, The Underdogs NI, Husky Salvation, Just Like Home Rescue and Little Paws Rescue NI. Each profile links to the rescue, and you apply to adopt with them directly.

As of 8 November 2026, Almost Home Animal Rescue NI (at Moira): 6, Assisi Animal Sanctuary (at Conlig): 3, Paws and People (at Banbridge): 3, The Barn Animal Rescue (at Carrowdore): 3, Friends Of Rescue NI (at Belfast): 2 and The Underdogs NI (at Maghera): 2, and 3 more. By age, that is 5 puppies, 7 adult dogs and 9 older dogs, plus 1 with no age given. The newest was added on 6 November 2026. Each profile links to the rescue, which handles the adoption.

By today's listings in Northern Ireland: Jack Russells (5), French Bulldogs (3), Beagles (3), Shih Tzus (2), Pugs (2) and Chihuahuas (1). Breed labels on rescue listings are often a best guess, so read each profile.

Yes: 9 small dogs of the 22 listed in Northern Ireland are aged 7 or over by their listed age. Each rescue sets its own fee for an older dog, and Dogs Trust charges £287.50 for a puppy or adult dog. See every older dog in Northern Ireland.

Often, though energy and noise can matter as much as size in a flat. As of 8 November 2026, 10 of the 22 small dogs listed in Northern Ireland are 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 14 of the 22 small dogs listed in Northern Ireland as able to live with children, 4 with cats and 13 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 Northern Ireland today are with Almost Home Animal Rescue NI at Moira (6), Assisi Animal Sanctuary at Conlig (3), Paws and People at Banbridge (3) and 6 other rescues; each profile shows that rescue's fee. Each rescue sets its own adoption fee, and Dogs Trust charges £287.50 for a puppy or adult dog in Northern Ireland (where you also need a dog licence). 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 22 small dogs listed in Northern Ireland today are with Almost Home Animal Rescue NI at Moira (6), Assisi Animal Sanctuary at Conlig (3), Paws and People at Banbridge (3) and 6 other rescues, and each rescue shows its own fee on the profile. For comparison, Dogs Trust £287.50 in Northern Ireland.

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 22 small dogs listed in Northern Ireland today, each shows its rescue's fee on the profile; the nearest rescue is Almost Home Animal Rescue NI at Moira. Many rescue fees are under £500: Dogs Trust charges £287.50 for a puppy or adult dog. An animal offered "free to a good home" is usually a private advert rather than a rescue. In Northern Ireland all dogs must be microchipped at eight weeks old, so ask to see the microchip details (see nidirect).

Both, though adults outnumber puppies: as of 8 November 2026, 5 puppies of the 22 small dogs listed in Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland are with Almost Home Animal Rescue NI at Moira (6), Assisi Animal Sanctuary at Conlig (3), Paws and People at Banbridge (3), The Barn Animal Rescue at Carrowdore (3) and 5 other rescues. The nearest to Northern Ireland is Almost Home Animal Rescue NI at Moira. 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.