The dogs aren’t the problem—it’s the assumptions people keep making about them.
Some dogs get adopted on impulse, not because they’re the right fit, but because of how they look, what they represent, or who had one in a movie ten years ago. Shelters see it all the time. A breed gets popular on Instagram or a celebrity walks down the street with one, and suddenly everyone wants that dog—without understanding what life with that breed actually requires.
The consequences can be heartbreaking. These dogs aren’t flawed. They’re just misunderstood and mismatched. When a high-energy herder lands in a quiet apartment, or a guardian breed ends up in a chaotic home, everyone loses. Dogs get labeled as problems when the real issue is that they were never the right choice to begin with. Here’s a closer look at twelve breeds that keep getting adopted for all the wrong reasons—and the rough outcomes that usually follow.
1. Belgian Malinois are mistaken for German Shepherds until it’s too late.
It happens constantly. Someone wants a German Shepherd, sees a Belgian Malinois at a rescue, and assumes they’re basically the same dog. But the difference becomes obvious fast. Malinois are smaller, faster, and built like athletes on espresso, according to the American Kennel Club. They don’t do mellow. They don’t relax. They’re working dogs through and through, and unless there’s a job to do, they invent one—and it usually involves destruction.
These dogs thrive with structure, constant training, and mental challenges. They excel with law enforcement, search and rescue, or competitive agility—not Netflix and chill. Adopt one without a plan and you’ll have a neurotic, frustrated whirlwind on your hands within weeks. They don’t tire easily and they rarely settle.
Too many end up returned or worse, labeled aggressive, when really they were just placed in the wrong environment. Their energy isn’t a defect. It’s a design feature. But when adopters don’t know that, it becomes a recipe for disaster.
2. Dalmatians get picked for their spots, not their temperament.
They’re striking. A Dalmatian walks through a park and heads turn, cameras click, and everyone wants to say hi, as reported by Britannica. It’s the movie magic effect. But those spots hide a nervous system that’s wired differently than most people expect. Dalmatians are alert, reactive, and often overwhelmed by chaos—which makes modern family life a struggle.
They were bred to run alongside carriages, acting as guardians and high-energy endurance athletes. That means long daily exercise, sharp awareness, and a strong protective streak. In a home with small kids, loud noises, and unpredictable routines, they often spiral. They can develop defensive behaviors that make them seem edgy or even aggressive.
People expect a Disney dog and end up with a sensitive athlete who doesn’t know how to switch off. When the mismatched expectations hit, Dalmatians get blamed. They don’t fail. They just don’t belong in every household, no matter how gorgeous they look.
3. Great Danes seem like chill giants—until they wreck your house by accident.
Their mellow expressions and towering size make people assume Great Danes are slow-moving sweethearts who just want to lounge, as stated by Dog Time. And yes, many of them are. But a young Great Dane with energy is still a 140-pound freight train of tail slaps, knocked-over lamps, and spontaneous zoomies that can destroy furniture without even trying.
People fall in love with the idea of a gentle giant, but they forget how much space and planning these dogs actually need. They’re clumsy in tight quarters, eat a staggering amount of food, and can wipe out a coffee table in one misjudged turn. Not to mention the vet bills, which scale with the size of the dog.
When they’re adopted by people in small apartments or tight homes with breakables everywhere, things fall apart quickly—sometimes literally. It’s not that they’re bad dogs. They just weren’t built for compact living with minimal structure. They need room, patience, and some strategic furniture placement.
4. Border Collies get taken home by people who’ve never owned a working dog.
Border Collies are mesmerizing. Watch one herd sheep, and it feels like watching instinct take physical form. That intense focus and intelligence draws in a lot of adopters who want a “smart dog”, according to the Petplan. What they don’t realize is that “smart” doesn’t mean easy—it means constant mental stimulation and nonstop problem-solving. Left to their own devices, Border Collies will invent their own job—and it usually involves controlling you.
They’re sensitive, intense, and tireless. Without an outlet, they can become neurotic, herding children, chasing bikes, or obsessively staring at shadows. They do best with someone who treats exercise and enrichment as a lifestyle, not a hobby. Most people simply aren’t ready for that.
When they end up with the wrong person, they become anxious messes who unravel in suburban homes with no livestock in sight. Intelligence without a job turns against them, and that’s when the returns start rolling in.
5. Cane Corsos are picked for protection but misunderstood entirely.
They look tough. They are tough. But Cane Corsos aren’t just big, intimidating dogs—they’re serious, territorial, and not for first-timers. Unfortunately, that “protector” vibe gets them adopted by people who want a security presence without understanding the training and structure these dogs demand.
Corsos don’t socialize like golden retrievers. They don’t trust strangers. They assess every situation with quiet intensity. That’s exactly what they were bred to do—but when people expect them to be gentle giants with a soft side, the reality shocks them. Poor socialization and a lack of boundaries quickly turn a powerful dog into a liability.
The result? A breed that keeps cycling through shelters because they were treated like oversized lapdogs instead of the intelligent, working guardians they are. These dogs aren’t meant for casual dog ownership. They’re for people who know how to handle purpose-driven breeds and are ready for a full-time job.
6. Siberian Huskies get adopted for their looks and dumped for their behavior.
With their icy blue eyes and wolfish faces, Huskies look like they stepped off a snow-covered mountaintop and into your Instagram feed. But those good looks come with chaos. They are escape artists, screamers, diggers, runners, and professional drama creators. A bored Husky doesn’t sulk—they redecorate.
People adopt them expecting a loyal, calm winter companion. What they get is a dog who thrives on movement, hates being alone, and laughs in the face of fences. They’re pack-driven, independent thinkers, and they rarely care about your rules unless you give them a reason to.
When people adopt based on aesthetic instead of lifestyle, Huskies end up in shelters. Not because they’re untrainable—but because they were placed in homes where their needs weren’t met. They’re not wolves. They’re just high-maintenance clowns who need structure, space, and lots of patience.
7. Chihuahuas get treated like accessories and punished for acting like real dogs.
They’re tiny, they fit in purses, and they show up in more celebrity selfies than any other breed. But Chihuahuas aren’t decorative items. They’re smart, sassy, and loaded with attitude. The problem is, people often adopt them for their size and convenience—not their temperament.
When small dogs show fear, frustration, or territorial behavior, it gets brushed off. People laugh when a Chihuahua growls or guards a lap, but the same behavior in a bigger dog would trigger alarm bells. These dogs end up anxious, overstimulated, and reactive because they’re carried everywhere, not exercised, and rarely trained with consistency.
A bored, insecure Chihuahua becomes a screamer, a nipper, or a shadow stalker that never truly relaxes. Shelters are packed with them because too many were adopted for size and style, not compatibility. Given proper care, they’re brilliant little companions. But they’re still dogs—and they expect to be treated like one.
8. Cattle Dogs get brought home for their energy, then returned for having too much of it.
Australian Cattle Dogs, or heelers, are the working dog’s working dog. They’re built for long days on ranches, herding stubborn livestock through brutal heat and unpredictable terrain. So what happens when someone adopts one thinking they’ve just gotten a spunky jogging partner? Chaos. A lot of it.
These dogs don’t want a walk around the block. They want purpose, control, and challenges. Without it, they become destructive geniuses who dismantle gardens, herd the children, and chew through drywall just to feel something. Their intensity isn’t a quirk—it’s their core programming.
People often mistake energy for playfulness. But heeler energy is different. It’s sharp, alert, and relentless. Without a serious outlet, they unravel fast. They don’t need just physical exercise. They need structure and a job. A daily fetch game won’t cut it. They were bred to solve problems, not wait patiently on a couch.
9. English Bulldogs seem low maintenance—until the vet bills hit.
Bulldogs look like they’d be simple, lovable couch potatoes. And personality-wise, that’s often true. But physically, they’re walking vet visits. Decades of breeding for a specific “cute” look have left them prone to breathing issues, skin problems, overheating, and joint trouble. They snore, drool, and can overheat just walking down the driveway.
What often happens is someone sees a squishy face online, decides they want a chill companion, and brings one home thinking they’ll be low effort. But bulldogs require constant monitoring, regular cleaning, and often surgery just to breathe comfortably. The costs pile up quickly, and not everyone is prepared.
They’re sweet, loyal, and funny. But they’re also fragile in ways many adopters underestimate. When reality hits—vet visits, insurance claims, unexpected emergencies—some people panic or shut down. That’s how they end up surrendered. Not because they’re bad pets, but because no one talked honestly about the maintenance.
10. Shiba Inus win hearts online but ignore commands in real life.
Shibas are meme royalty. Their curled tails, foxlike faces, and dramatic vocalizations made them internet famous. That fame trickled into shelters and breeders as people wanted their own quirky Shiba moment. But what they didn’t realize is Shibas are not naturally obedient—and they don’t really care if you’re impressed.
These are independent, aloof dogs who don’t do well with traditional training. They’re prone to bolting, difficult to recall, and often act more like tiny wild animals than domesticated companions. In the wrong hands, their confidence quickly becomes defiance. And it’s not a phase—it’s who they are.
Many adopters expect cuteness and cooperation. What they get is a stubborn, emotionally complex dog who doesn’t crave human approval. When that disconnect happens, frustration follows. Shibas don’t break rules to be bad. They just never agreed to them in the first place.
11. Weimaraners seem calm in photos but unravel without constant engagement.
They photograph like silver statues. Regal, composed, soulful. But behind that polished look is a dog that needs a job—or several. Weimaraners are Velcro dogs with high anxiety when left alone and an obsession with movement. They’re not content lying around waiting for things to happen. They want action.
People often adopt them expecting a dignified companion. What they get is a needy athlete who chews, barks, or panics when left unstimulated. They don’t just want attention—they demand it. And their athleticism means they can clear fences, raid counters, and run circles around tired owners.
Their devotion is real, but so is their intensity. When they bond with someone who works from home or lives an active lifestyle, they thrive. In more typical households, they struggle. They weren’t bred to be ornaments. They were bred to run, track, and stay mentally sharp. Without that, they unravel quickly.
12. Pomeranians get scooped up for fluff, then returned for the barking.
They look like living stuffed animals. Fluffy, small, portable. Pomeranians get adopted fast because they’re cute in that very obvious, very irresistible way. But what comes next is often a noise problem. These tiny dogs have huge personalities, and when they’re bored or anxious, they express it loudly.
People assume small equals easy. But Poms are high-strung, alert, and extremely sensitive to changes in routine. They bark at leaves, at doorbells, at nothing. Without training and consistent boundaries, they can become neurotic little whirlwinds who never seem to settle.
They need stimulation, attention, and more leadership than people expect. When owners realize they’ve adopted more than just a pretty face, frustration sets in. These dogs aren’t a mistake. They’re just often chosen by people who weren’t expecting a loud, high-energy companion wrapped in fluff.