Yorkie puppies and dogs in Big Lake, Minnesota

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Meet CharlesBarkley! This boy is full of personality and love but needs an adopter who understands his unique needs. He’s affectionate, intelligent, and a devoted lap dog who loves his walks—his happy place! CharlesBarkley thrives on routine and firm boundaries. While he bonds deeply with his person, he needs an extended adjustment period to feel safe. His adopter must respect his space and allow him to build trust at his own pace. Over time, his boundaries soften, but patience is key. He’s leash-trained, enjoys car rides, and loves snuggling—often resting his head on your foot or curling up in a chair next to you (with a little help getting up). He’s already potty trained and can hold it overnight. CharlesBarkley loves playing and interacting with other dogs, but he does take a minute to warm up to them. He would do best with dogs around his size or smaller. CharlesBarkley has some quirks. He has a history of rough play before walks and may play-nip when being leashed. He can be a little stubborn for the first and last potty break of the day, but with some encouragement he will make it outside to do his business.  Stranger introductions must be handled carefully. He is very wary of strangers and requires slow, repetitive introductions in a controlled environment. This process cannot be rushed. It is best to let CharlesBarkley approach you when he is ready. CharlesBarkley needs an adult-only home with an adopter committed to respecting his boundaries, giving him time to adjust, and helping him build confidence. If you’re looking for a loyal companion who will reward your patience with love, snuggles, and devotion, CharlesBarkley may be your perfect match!   CharlesBarkley is from Texas. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract. To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page. If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.   Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.March 13, 2025, 11:14 am

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Meet Sasha – A Tiny Ball of Love Sasha may be small, but she’s got a heart big enough to fill a whole home with love. She came from a hoarding situation, likely having had puppies, and arrived scared and filthy. But the moment she got a bath, she showed her true colors—patient, gentle, and perfectly happy to be pampered, even letting her rescuer blow-dry her like a true beauty queen. She’s timid at first but warms up quickly, especially if there’s a lap involved. Once she trusts you, she’ll curl right in and stare into your eyes like you’re her whole world. She’s working on potty training and is still skittish about new things, but she has zero aggression—just a deep desire to be loved. Sasha would do well in a quiet, patient home where she gets plenty of cuddles. Whether she has a furry sibling or not, she’ll be happiest as long as she gets her share of love and attention. Sasha is from Texas. They arrive in Minnesota on 3 /22/2024 and will need to be picked up from the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton, MN between the hours of 9am and noon . Please plan for their arrival accordingly as we cannot accommodate pickups outside of this time frame. Since they haven’t arrived yet, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start’s Foster to Adopt (FTA) Program. Click here to learn more about the FTA program. Once they get to Minnesota, they might require further veterinary care. Ruff Start’s veterinary suite is located in Princeton, MN, and, as the foster, you will be required to transport your dog to and from these vetting appointments.  If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract. To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page. If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.    Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.March 15, 2025, 4:37 pm

Age: Approximately 1 year old Weight: 9 lbs Dog friendly: Yes Cat friendly: TBD Kid friendly: Yes Potty trained: Yes, although he cold weather impacts this. Crate trained: Yes REQUIRED: Confident dog within the home & secure physical fence Hey there! I’m Kahrin, a 1-year-old, 9-pound bundle of pure puppy energy and charm! My hobbies include chasing smaller doggy friends around the yard, showing off my zoomies, and announcing my outdoor adventures with great enthusiasm (yes, I bark at fence passersby—it’s my thing). I’m all about toys, treats, and turning any space into a playground. I’m a little shy and skittish right now, so I’ll need a secure fence and a confident canine buddy to help me settle in. I am still working on potty training & going into the kennel by myself. Once in the kennel I'm golden. Cuddling isn’t my forte (yet), but I do love snuggling up in cozy sweaters on chilly days. Short hair, minimal to no shedding, big personality—what’s not to love? If you’ve got the patience, love, and snacks to spare, I’ll do my very best to be your tiny superstar. Let’s make some magic together! Adoption Fee: $695

Age: Approximately 4 years old Weight: 9 lbs Dog friendly: Yes Cat friendly: Yes Kid friendly: Older/Considerate kids only Potty trained: Still working on it! Doing great Crate trained: Yes REQUIRED: Confident dog within the home & secure physical fence Meet Moriarty—aka Morty! My foster mom gave me a vintage name, but don’t let that fool you—I’m still figuring out this big, modern world. You see, I’m a textbook nervous pup. New sounds? Startling. Fast movements? Nope. Vacuum cleaner? Absolutely not. But I’m learning! At first, I kept my distance, watching my foster mom interact with the other dogs. They seemed to like her, so maybe—just maybe—she was safe. Then one day, she picked me up, and oh boy, those puppy cuddles? Totally worth it. Now, I love gentle scritches, warm laps, and quiet moments on the couch. My best buddy here is Myles, the fearless Morkie. He and Walter the Shiweenie are my role models—I follow them everywhere! We keep an eye on foster mom together (just in case she tries anything sneaky, like introducing a new snack). I may be a work in progress, but I’m healthy, adorable, and full of potential. If you’ve got patience, a cozy couch, and a calm vibe, I just might be the perfect little sidekick. Stop by and say hi—I promise not to spray you like a dilophosaurus!

Hello! This is Lord Skippington, but we just call him Skippy. He is a sweet boy, but has his quirks. He does like to bark especially when someone arrives or one of the resident dogs barks. He is good with most dogs, but not all. He doesn't like dogs that are in his face. I haven't personally seen him around kids, but his last foster said he was good with them. He will go potty outside, but he does mark, therefore he wears a belly band in the house. He likes to relax on the couch, but also gets little spurts of energy and likes to play. He's very lovey and likes to give kisses. He sleeps with me, and he sleeps very well. He is small and fun and will be a great companion for someone. Are you his new family? Adoption fee includes: Full veterinary exam, Alter, Dental, Prepaid microchip, Dewormed, Rabies vaccine (if age appropriate), Distemper combo vaccine(s) appropriate to age, Bordetella vaccine, 4DX (over 6 months of age), Flea/tick and heartworm preventative while in rescue. Adoption fee:  $575.00Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.February 14, 2025, 10:14 pm

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Thank you for stopping by to see me!  Please fill out an application to set up  a private meeting.    Hello there! I'm Blossom, the sweet Yorkie with an appetite for treats and a heart ready to bloom. Let me tell you a bit about myself, and I'm sure you'll see the potential for a beautiful friendship. But read carefully as I do have some behavioral issues and will need to go to a very special forever home. I'm a 9-pound bundle of sweetness, and my name says it all—Awesome Blossom! I'm house trained and have the whole crate routine down, although I've recently discovered the joy of comfy beds and couches. My love for treats knows no bounds, and my humans find my little dances and animated antics quite amusing. I'm a quiet companion who loves being your shadow. If food is involved, count me in! Napping in my cozy beds is a favorite pastime, and I hope my gentle snoring won't keep you up. I'm a good girl, but there's a unique quirk – I'm afraid of touch. However, I make up for it with adorable bumps on your hand and leg, especially if you're fixing my food. I love other dogs and currently share my space with two furry friends. Snuggling with them is one of my favorite activities. Did I mention how much I love to eat? Veggies and fruits are on my menu too, all part of staying healthy! It is very important to know that while some might see my fear of touch as a challenge, others believe in my potential to blossom, hence the name. I'm trying my best to trust and be part of a loving family. Due to my fear of touch, grooming requires a bit of extra attention. But don't worry, my foster mom can fill you in on the details. Invest your time with me, and I'm sure the rewards will be plentiful. I might have my quirks, but I'm your Blossom! Let's make memories together. *Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders.  Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit.  Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.    ***Be sure to check your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there***  Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.If you have other questions about me you can email Underdog Rescue at <inquiries@underdogrescuemn.com> ADOPTION EVENTS:      Adoption events are updated at the top of each dogs animals' as their foster home signs up. Check back for updates on which events they will be attending. If an event is not listed within their bio above, the animal is not planning to attend.  Please understand that all of our pets are in volunteer foster homes and sometimes "life" happens and the foster family cannot make it to their scheduled adoption event. If you are traveling from a far distance to meet a specific animal, please understand we cannot guarantee event attendance. We recommend filling out an application and we will set up a private appointment. Private appointments are only scheduled after an application is submitted and approved. ADOPTION PROCEDURE: The first step in our process is to complete an online adoption application on our website: http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/adoptionprocess/   Note: In most circumstances Underdog Rescue will only adopt within 60 miles of Minneapolis, MN.  All of our foster animals can be seen by appointment with an approved adoption application. Contact us at http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/contact-us/ if you have further questions. FOSTER CARE: All of our animals are fostered in individual homes or doggie daycare facilities. While they are in our care, they are part of our families and given lots of love. We work on training, crate-training and socialization prior to adoption, but each bio is written by the foster as they see them, in their home. Each animal's behavior is evaluated and we have a sense of its temperament and personality, but it cannot be guaranteed. We look for adopters who will give each animal the wonderful life and permanent home that he or she deserves in time and with patience.  If you have an interest and ability to be a foster home, please visit our website  www.underdogrescuemn.com/foster-applications  and fill out a foster application. NUTRITION: Nutrition is vital to the rehabilitation and life-long health of our pets.  All of our foster animals are fed a premium diet such as NutriSource, Canidae, Orijen, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Pure Vita, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, or balanced raw diet.  All adopters are required to continue providing premium diets for the life of the animal. YOU CAN HELP: Not able to foster or adopt right now? Please consider sponsoring an Underdog. Your donation will help us buy dog food and pay for medical costs. Visit this link  www.underdogrescuemn.com/donate   to donate.  (Please note: A Paypal account is not necessary to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal page, just use the link to the left of their login to make your donation via Paypal without an account.) February 23, 2025, 9:45 pm