Young Americans Want Big Dogs-But There's One Obstacle Stopping Them

Young Americans are more open than ever to adopting large dogs from shelters, but a persistent housing barrier is keeping many of those pets behind kennel doors.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition recently released its 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report: Spotlight on Large Dogs, which shows that Gen Z and millennials are nearly twice as likely as Gen X and baby boomers to consider adopting a large dog. Yet despite that interest, large canines continue to experience the longest shelter stays, spending about 70 percent more time in animal shelters than smaller ones.

Dr. Omar Farías, a veterinarian and public health expert with Hill's Pet Nutrition, told Newsweek that younger generations tend to be more “pet-focused,” often viewing animals as family members and sometimes delaying milestones such as having children.

The disconnect, experts say, isn't about desire-it's about where people live.

Obstacle Stopping Adoptions

The report, based on a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, found that, while younger respondents were significantly more open to large‑breed dogs than older generations, housing emerged as the single biggest roadblock, with Gen Z and millennials more likely to rent, live in apartments or face pet-related housing restrictions that limit dog size or breed.

"Younger generations are facing a housing crisis," Farías said. "It's harder to find affordable housing, and when you add pet fees, size restrictions, or breed bans, large dogs are often the first ones ruled out."

Data from the 2025 Pet-Inclusive Housing Report show that while 79 percent of rental properties claim to be pet-friendly, fewer than 10 percent are free of all breed, weight or other restrictions, and offer reasonable or no pet fees. Housing pressures can also influence shelter intake: According to the American Humane Society, moving-related challenges and landlord policies are among the most commonly cited reasons owners surrender pets.

Cost compounds the issue. Food, veterinary care and pet deposits are typically higher for large dogs, which can feel out of reach amid inflation and rising rent prices.

As a result, large dogs-defined in the report as those weighing more than 50 pounds-remain disproportionately stuck in shelters. The report found these bigger canines stayed an average of 17 days in 2025, down from 19 days the previous year. Meanwhile, the average stay for medium dogs was 14, and 10 for small pups.

Confidence-and Misconceptions-Also Matter

Beyond housing, the report identified confidence as a major factor influencing adoption decisions.

Among respondents likely to adopt a large dog, 89 percent said they felt confident handling and caring for one. That number dropped to 33 percent among those unlikely to adopt, suggesting uncertainty-not dislike-is driving much of the hesitation.

Farías said misconceptions about large dogs being more aggressive or harder to manage persist, even though they're often unfounded.

"They're just bigger," he said. "They're not really that different than small dogs."

What Could Help Turn Interest Into Action

The report suggests that removing financial and housing barriers could unlock a wave of large‑dog adoptions.

About 34 percent of respondents said lower adoption fees would make them more likely to adopt a large dog, while others cited free or discounted training and assistance with initial supplies as motivating factors.

“The cost of everything is higher, but we are seeing a lot of promising approaches, especially when shelters focus on reducing financial barriers,” Farías said.

He also pointed to growing partnerships between shelters, cities and housing providers as a promising step forward. Clear documentation, such as behavior assessments, can help reassure landlords and property managers that these dogs will not damage their properties.

Why Younger Adults Are Open to Big Dogs

Farías said that younger generations bring a different mindset to pet adoption-one shaped by familiarity with animal shelters and a more emotional view of pets.

"Compared with older generations, they're just more open to large‑breed dogs in general," Farías said. "They may have had a previous experience with a shelter pet or some of them may have worked in shelters as well.”

He added that perceptions of shelters have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Shelters are no longer seen “as scary as they once were,” Farías said, pointing to increased transparency, better veterinary care and the growing visibility of shelter medicine as a respected field.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM.