Best Rescue Dogs for Families with Young Kids in Salt Lake City, UT

A family dog needs patience more than anything else — for tail pulls, sudden noise, and a rotating cast of small friends. These available rescue dogs near Salt Lake City have been flagged kid-friendly by the rescue or foster who knows them.

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Why these dogs

Marked good with children by the rescue or foster
Moderate energy — playful, but not knocking toddlers over
House-trained where noted
No history of resource guarding noted by the rescue

Available now near Salt Lake City

Tom — Cattle Dog, Senior · RescueGroups National Database
KIRKLAND — Poodle (Miniature), 7 yrs 6 mos · West Valley City Animal Services
WISH BONE — Jack Russell Terrier, 4 mos · West Valley City Animal Services
Ace — Shepherd / Husky / Mixed, Adult · CAWS
Arch — Boxer / Shepherd / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Astrid — Border Collie, Adult · CAWS
Bo — Labrador Retriever / Shepherd / Mixed, Baby · CAWS
Buster Brown — Shepherd / Mixed, Adult · CAWS
Chai — Border Collie / Labrador Retriever / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Charlotte — Rottweiler / Mixed, Senior · CAWS
Doc — Pit Bull Terrier / Shepherd / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Dos — Border Collie / Labrador Retriever / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Gracie — German Shepherd Dog, Adult · CAWS
Gus — Border Collie / Terrier / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Hershey — Terrier / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Misio — Australian Shepherd / Mixed, Senior · CAWS
October — Boxer / Labrador Retriever / Mixed, Young · CAWS
Pixie — Maltese / Poodle (unknown type) / Mixed, Adult · CAWS
Ruben Humphrey — Terrier / Poodle (unknown type) / Mixed, Adult · CAWS
Sandy — Hound / Boxer / Mixed, Baby · CAWS
Shirley — American Bulldog / Mixed, Adult · CAWS
Supai — Border Collie / Mixed, Baby · CAWS
Akamai — Shepherd, 2 years · Rescue Rovers
Angelica Pickles — Labrador Retriever, 8 weeks · Rescue Rovers

Questions about adopting in Salt Lake City

How do rescues decide a dog is good with kids?

Usually from firsthand experience in a foster home with children, or a documented history with a previous family. If a dog hasn't been around kids, most rescues will say 'unknown' rather than guess.

What age dog is best for young children?

Adult dogs, two to six years old, are often the easiest — their temperament is known and they've outgrown puppy mouthing, which is rough on small hands.

Can my kids come to the meet-and-greet?

Most rescues want them there. Seeing the dog with your actual children is the single best predictor of how the adoption will go.