Kid-Friendly Dogs for Adoption in Manteca, CA: 10 Dogs Good with Children
By Dogs of the Day · Updated

Rescues and shelters within 50 miles of Manteca have 10 kid-friendly dogs up for adoption. Here are all 10, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Every dog on this page has been marked by their rescue as good with children, usually because they've lived with kids in a foster home.
Not in Manteca? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Nova
Adult (13 years 11 months) · Female · American Staffordshire Terrier / Mixed (short coat) · 44 mi from Manteca


Meet Nova, a darling senior dog ready for retirement! She's mellow, gets along with dogs, and loves ambling walks with her favorite humans. She's an overall easygoing girl with a lot of love left to give! Come in and meet with her today!
Interested in adopting? Visit our shelter during open hours and ask about Nova A066911
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
2. Wendy
Young (4 years) · Female · Chihuahua / Italian Greyhound / Mixed (short coat) · 50 mi from Manteca





Wendy is the cuddliest little love bug!
She’s super sweet, smart, playful, and happiest when she can curl up in someone’s lap. She loves playing with other playful dogs, but when playtime is over, she’s more than ready for cuddle time.
Energy Level? Medium - High
House trained? Working on it. Wendy is still having some accidents in the house, particularly after playing. Seems potty pad trained
Describe how they are on leash? Very good.
Describe how they are with other dogs? Wendy loves to play with other playful dogs.
Have they been around cats or other animals? How were they? She was fine meeting Dusty the cat.
Read more about Wendy
Commands they know? She’s learning “sit.”
What are their favorite things? Being on someone’s lap!
What do they need to work on? Continuing to work on house training.
How are they when left alone? How long have they been left alone? Wendy does well when left alone, either in her crate or out. She may cry a little at first but settles down.
Where do they sleep? In her crate.
What is their ideal home? Wendy would be happy anywhere she has a lap to cuddle up on! She loves playing with the resident dog, so a playful canine friend could be fun for her, but what she really wants is a person to be close to. She’s perfectly happy snoozing on a lap while you work at the computer or relax on the couch.
What is their meal schedule and what are they eating? She eats 1/3 cup of dry food including a wet food topper, twice a day.
The Adoption fee is $325.
For adoption consideration or to meet our dogs
, please complete our online adoption application at
www.everypetsdream.org/adopt
. W
e will have everything we need to know to call you back and set up an appointment. Follow us: Facebook and Instagram
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
3. Buddy Boy
Senior (13 years 8 months) · Male · Chihuahua / Mixed (short coat) · 50 mi from Manteca




Buddy is a happy, spunky little guy with lots of personality! He tends to ignore other dogs and isn’t a big fan of cats, so he would be happy as an only pet or could potentially live with other calm dogs. Once Buddy warms up, he bonds strongly with his people and loves following them everywhere. He’s a great little car companion, loves being held, and is always up for some cuddles. With new people, Buddy likes to make his own decisions. Sometimes he needs a little time to warm up, while other times he decides he likes someone right away!
Read more about Buddy Boy
Energy Level? Medium
House trained? Yes
Describe how they are on leash? Good
Describe how they are with other dogs? Good
Have they been around cats or other animals? How were they? Buddy doesn’t care for cats but has not been aggressive with them. He has chased them, though, so a cat-free home would likely be best.
Commands they know? Sit, stay, no, go potty
What are their favorite things? Food and cuddles!
What do they need to work on? Nothing really. He’s a good boy!
How are they when left alone? How long have they been left alone? He does just fine when left home alone.
Where do they sleep? In bed, of course!
What is their ideal home? Buddy would love a person or family who is home often, wants a little companion by their side, and is ready to spoil him with lots of love and cuddles.
The Adoption fee is $325.
For adoption consideration or to meet our dogs
, please complete our online adoption application at
www.everypetsdream.org/adopt
. W
e will have everything we need to know to call you back and set up an appointment. Follow us: Facebook and Instagram
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- No cats
- House-trained
- Special needs
4. Sully
Adult · Male · Mastiff / Cane Corso Mastiff · 29 mi from Manteca



Meet Sully! Looking for a giant lap dog, BFF, and big drooly shadow who wants to go everywhere with you? Sully might be your guy.Sully is a 6 ish year old Mastiff, 135lbs ish, easy going and sweet as pie. He has one good eye, the “good eye” had cherry eye repair on it but it may pop out again, otherwise he is doing great. Personality: Sully is a gem! He’s the definition of a social butterfly- incredibly friendly and affectionate, just loves being right by his person’s side.Things he loves: Car rides, little adventures, walks, just being part of your everyday life. He is very much a “where are we going?” kind of dog.Potty trainedCrate trainedSully will go into a crate, but it definitely isn’t his favorite place to be.
Read more about Sully
He would much rather be hanging out with you.Other dogs: Sully is very social and friendly w/ other friendly dogs. He would likely do well with another chill, friendly dog who matches his easygoing energy.Cats: Sully currently lives well w/ a confident cat. With a proper intro he should do ok living with cats.Kids: Sully is a big guy! He can absolutely knock over small kids. Ideally best w/ older kids comfortable around giants.Quirks: Despite his size, Sully is pretty convinced he is lap-dog sized. He would happily spend his whole day following you around, leaning on you, and being your oversized drooly shadow.Ideal home: Sully would thrive with someone comfortable with giant breeds who understands the importance of keeping a big guy’s joints safe and their maintenance and costs. He’s already ramp trained for getting in and out of the car and would love someone who wants to bring him along rather than leave him behind. Someone looking for a big goofy bff to tag along for coffee runs, walks, little adventures, and then come home and hang out on the couch. Sully really just wants to be included in life, and honestly, with that big drooly face, it’s pretty hard not to include him. All K9ppr dogs are fixed, microchipped, vaccinated etc prior to adoption. #bayareadogrescue #mastiffrescue #corsoPlease note-detailed adoption app required! We’re looking for the right forever fit www.K9ppr.org
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
5. Peridot GREEN
Senior · Female · Poodle (Miniature) / Dachshund / Mixed (medium coat) · 41 mi from Manteca




Meet PERIDOT
Peridot is an approximately 7-year-old, 12-pound mixed-breed girl—possibly a Dachshund/Poodle mix—who is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and free of parasites.
She also happens to be one of those dogs who makes it very easy to fall in love.Peridot is sweet, affectionate, easygoing, and happiest when she is close to her person. Her tail seems to have only one setting: wagging. Mornings are her favorite because that means she gets to see her people again, and she greets them with the happiest little wiggles.
She is potty trained, crate trained, and a very fast learner. She sleeps peacefully through the night and has shown no food aggression.
Read more about Peridot GREEN
She gets along well with other small dogs, but given the choice, Peridot would probably rather be curled up next to her human on the couch watching TV.
Peridot does have a medical condition that her future family should understand. She has been diagnosed with low-grade mammary adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer affecting the mammary glands. Her veterinarian estimates that she may have another 1–5 years, although every dog's journey is different. Her mammary glands and any changes in her masses will need continued monitoring so that her comfort and quality of life remain the priority. Umbrella of Hope is committed to Peridot's well-being and will cover the cost of euthanasia when the time comes and it is no longer kind to ask her to stay. She deserves to live out her days surrounded by love, comfort, and all the good things life has to offer.
And Peridot?
She is still her same happy, loving little self.
She wants to go for walks, snuggle up with her favorite people, collect all the treats, and enjoy the simple pleasures of being someone's beloved little dog. Her diagnosis hasn't changed her sunny personality or her desire to be part of a family.
Peridot would be a wonderful match for someone looking for a devoted little companion who enjoys a predictable routine, gets along with other small dogs, has excellent house manners, and thinks the best seat in the house is the one directly beside you.
Adopting Peridot means opening your heart to a dog whose future may be uncertain—but whose capacity to love is not. She doesn't need someone to feel sorry for her. She needs someone who sees the happy, affectionate little girl she is today and wants to make her days as wonderful as possible.
There are walks to take, cuddles to share, treats to enjoy, and so much love still to give.Peridot is waiting for someone to look at her and say, “That's my girl.”
GENERAL INFO:
Housebroken?: Yes, we think so
Crate Trained?: Yes
Leash Trained?: Yes
Rides Well in Car?: Yes
Non-Shedding?: No but lower shed
Good with cats?: Unknown
Good with dogs?: Yes, small dogs
Qualifies for Seniors for Seniors?: Yes
Umbrella of Hope does not have any strict rules on ages of children because all children are different, but our best approximation is that this animal would do best with children over the age of 5
Umbrella of Hope is an all-volunteer, donation-run, non-profit animal rescue based out of Pittsburg, CA that rescues animals from local shelters, places them in private foster homes, provides them with needed medical care and then finds them new homes.
Also, ask us about our seniors for seniors program, where we adopt animals 5 years or older to qualified homes with a $5 donation as an adoption fee. All animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and given any additional treatments (dental work, bloodwork etc) as recommended by our vet.
Adoptions to veterans of the US Armed Services are ALWAYS free to thank you for your service.
We thank Well Pet Vet Clinic for providing most of our veterinary services and give a special thanks to volunteer photographers Tanya, Barbara, Kristy, Christine, Teressa and Natalie.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
- Special needs
6. Pierre Jacques
Adult · Male · Poodle (unknown type) / Schnauzer · 29 mi from Manteca



🤍 Meet Pierre! 🤍🐶 Pierre Jacques is an adorable 1½-year-old Poodle-ish Schnauzer terrier mix weighing about 13 pounds. He’s the perfect combination of sweet, smart, playful, and affectionate.🐾 Adoption Requirements (Please Read)Pierre is looking for a home that can meet his specific needs. His ideal home includes:* Another friendly, playful dog (preferred)* Children 12 years or older* An experienced adopter comfortable managing fear-based behavior during veterinary and grooming visits* Commitment to continued training, exercise, and mental enrichment* Professional grooming every 4â"6 weeks* A home (not an apartment) where his vocal, talkative personality won’t be an issue🎾 Personality & LifestylePierre is a happy, energetic little guy who loves:* Going for walks* Riding in the car* Playing with toys* Exploring and joining in on adventuresHe is very intelligent and a quick learner.
Read more about Pierre Jacques
In his foster home, he is:* Doing great with potty training (always expect a learning curve when adjusting to new environments)* Fully mastering “Sit”* Progressing nicely with crate trainingPierre enjoys the company of other animals and gets along well with both dogs and cats. If a cat runs, he may try to join the chase, but it’s all in playful fun.Pierre is also a vocal little guy and can be barky and talkative, especially when he’s excited or alerting you to something. Because of this, apartment living or homes with close neighbors probably aren’t the best fit.🧠 Behavior & Training NeedsLike many rescue dogs, Pierre can become fearful in unfamiliar or stressful situations, especially at the veterinarian and during grooming. When scared, he may become defensive and nippy.He will need:* An adopter who understands canine body language and recognizes his fear signals* Continued positive reinforcement training and confidence building* A calm, patient home that can safely manage veterinary and grooming visits* Ongoing structure, exercise, and mental enrichmentDespite these challenges, Pierre is incredibly sweet in his everyday environment and thrives when he feels safe, understood, and included in the family.✂️ Grooming NeedsPierre will require professional grooming every 4â"6 weeks. Regular grooming is essential, as his coat will become painfully matted if neglected.💙 Our CommitmentAt K9 Paw Print Rescue, we require a detailed adoption application because we are committed to finding the right homeâ"not just the next home. Our goal is to ensure our dogs never have to experience the heartbreak of losing their family again.🐶 Ready to Apply?If you think Pierre might be your perfect match, we’d love to hear from you!🐾 Apply to adopt at www.K9PPR.org
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
7. Stella
Adult (3 years 2 months) · Female · Siberian Husky (short coat) · 44 mi from Manteca










Get ready to fall in love — sweet 2‑year‑old Stella is about to steal your heart! Gentle, smart, and wonderfully easy to be around, she’s the kind of dog who makes life feel lighter.
Read more about Stella
Stella is polite, potty‑trained, walks beautifully on a leash, knows her commands and is always eager to please. Stella adores her humans and is friendly with everybody, including kids. She gets along with other dogs, but prefers them one-on-one. This girl gets very excited for her daily walks, followed by Zoomies and squeaky toy playtime. However, mostly she just wants to be wherever you are — at home, riding in the car, at a café, or curled up in her bed (next to yours) all night long.
We believe that Stella was abandoned by her previous owner, so she is a little unsure of her new world and may want to stay always close to you at first. She’s learning to be brave again and needs a patient, loving family who will help her feel safe. Because she likes company, we think she will do best in a home with another friendly dog companion to help her feel more confident.
If you’ve been dreaming of a gentle, calm, affectionate young husky, Stella is your girl!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- No cats
- House-trained
8. Mooncalf Beast
Senior · Female · Maltese / Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie / Mixed (medium coat) · 41 mi from Manteca




✨ PLEASE MEET MOONCALF — OUR NEWEST FANTASTIC BEAST ✨
Mooncalf is approximately 12 years old, and this tiny senior girl has already endured far more than she ever should have.
When she came into Umbrella of Hope Rescue, her diabetes was completely uncontrolled. Her blood glucose was so high that it was literally beyond the range the equipment could measure.
She will need insulin injections under the skin twice daily for the rest of her life.
Unfortunately, diabetes is only part of her medical story.
Mooncalf also has KCS (dry eye) affecting both eyes. This is a painful condition that requires specialized prescription eye medication twice daily to keep her comfortable and help protect her vision.
Her skin is also in terrible condition, as you can see in her photos, and we are working to determine the underlying causes and get her comfortable again.
She also has a mammary mass along with several other age-related medical concerns that still need evaluation and treatment.
And yet, somehow, Mooncalf remains incredibly sweet.
She is gentle. She is trusting. She still wants affection.
She has every reason in the world to be angry at what life has handed her, and instead she simply seems grateful that someone is finally taking care of her.
We are committed to giving Mooncalf the medical care she needs and the comfortable senior life she deserves.
But chronic illness is expensive.
Insulin.
Syringes.
Prescription eye medications.
Blood glucose monitoring.
Diagnostics.
Veterinary visits.
Skin treatment.
Evaluation of her mammary mass.
And whatever else we uncover as we continue working through years of neglected medical needs.
This is exactly why rescue takes a village.
If you can help Mooncalf, even a small donation makes a difference.
WAYS TO DONATE:
Check or money order:Umbrella of Hope4040 Railroad AvePittsburg, CA 94565
Venmo:@Umbrellaof-HopeResuce
PayPal:beourpet@gmail.com
Zelle:beourpet@gmail.com
Mooncalf did not get to choose the body she grew old in or the medical problems she developed.
But we can choose what happens next.
We can make sure her golden years are filled with comfort, proper medical care, good food, soft beds, and people who believe an elderly diabetic dog is still absolutely worth saving.
Please help us give Mooncalf the life she deserves. ❤️
Thank you for being part of her journey.
Read more about Mooncalf Beast
GENERAL INFO:
Housebroken?: Yes, we think so
Crate Trained?: Yes
Leash Trained?: Yes
Rides Well in Car?: Yes
Non-Shedding?: Most likely
Good with cats?: Unknown but we think so
Good with dogs?: Yes
Qualifies for Seniors for Seniors?: yes
Umbrella of Hope does not have any strict rules on ages of children because all children are different, but our best approximation is that this animal would do best with children over the age of 5
Umbrella of Hope is an all-volunteer, donation-run, non-profit animal rescue based out of Pittsburg, CA that rescues animals from local shelters, places them in private foster homes, provides them with needed medical care and then finds them new homes.
Also, ask us about our seniors for seniors program, where we adopt animals 5 years or older to qualified homes with a $5 donation as an adoption fee. All animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and given any additional treatments (dental work, bloodwork etc) as recommended by our vet.
Adoptions to veterans of the US Armed Services are ALWAYS free to thank you for your service.
We thank Well Pet Vet Clinic for providing most of our veterinary services and give a special thanks to volunteer photographers Tanya, Barbara, Kristy, Christine, Teressa and Natalie.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Special needs
9. Button
Adult · Male · Schnauzer / Wirehaired Fox Terrier / Mixed · 29 mi from Manteca



Meet Button 🐾Button is a handsome young wire-haired terrier/Schnauzer mix, 26lbs, around 2â"3 years old, with gorgeous golden-hazel eyes, a soft white chest and an adorable little white mohawk that fits his goofy personality perfectly. Please read Button’s full bio before applying, as he has some specific needs and we’re looking for a home that will truly be the right fit for him.One really important thing to know about Button: he probably isn’t going to “show” well at a first meet.Button can be insecure with new people, and it often takes meeting someone a time or two before you really get to see who he is.
Read more about Button
We don’t want someone to meet him once, see a nervous or unsure dog and assume that’s his personality.Once Button decides you’re safe and lets his guard down, he’s a completely different dog. He’s goofy, affectionate, loyal, talkative and has SO much personality.Button’s home requirements:• A securely fenced yard• Another playful dog in the home• An active adopter committed to regular walks, hikes and exercise• No apartments• No young children• Experienced, patient and dog-savvy adopters• Someone willing to give him time to build trust instead of expecting an instant connectionThese things are important for Button and aren’t just preferences. We’ve gotten to know him well and know what kind of environment he needs to be happy and successful.Button loves being part of the action. Walks around the neighborhood, trail hikes, adventures with his people… he needs that in his life. Regular exercise is really important for him. If he doesn’t get enough walks, hikes and opportunities to get out and use his brain, he can become anxious and restless.At home, he’s actually a pretty chill guy when those needs are being met. He loves lounging on his back with all four legs in the air, hanging out with his people and soaking up attention.And Button “talks.” 😂 He makes all kinds of funny little sounds and chatter when he’s excited or wants your attention. He definitely has opinions and isn’t shy about sharing them.He’s also VERY smart. He figured out the dog door almost immediately and settled into his foster home’s routine quickly. He is potty trained, although any dog can have a learning curve in a new home, and he is pretty well crate trained.Button does have some insecurities that his future family needs to understand. He can become uncomfortable or overstimulated in certain situations and has previously nipped toward joggers who unexpectedly ran toward him on walks. He is muzzle trained for situations where some extra management is appropriate. His muzzle is simply a safety tool that allows him to still get out and enjoy life while setting him up for success.Because of his sensitivities, Button is not appropriate for a home with young children. He needs a more predictable environment with people who can understand his body language, respect his boundaries and advocate for him.The biggest thing we want people to understand is that the Button you meet on day one probably isn’t the Button you’ll know once he feels safe with you.He may not immediately crawl into your lap or convince you that you’re his new best friend at a meet and greet. Give him a little time. Once you’re one of his people, you get the funny, affectionate, quirky little guy his foster family knows and loves.Button isn’t going to be the right dog for every home, and that’s okay. We’re looking for the home that understands what he needs and will appreciate the incredibly smart, fun and loyal dog underneath those initial insecurities.To be considered for Button, please submit a detailed adoption application so we can help make sure it’s the right match for everyone.Apply at: www.K9ppr.org
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
10. Maisy
Adult (8 years 2 months) · Female · Chihuahua / Dachshund / Mixed (medium coat) · 50 mi from Manteca



Maisy
is an incredibly sweet, affectionate dog who is a joy to have around. She loves being part of whatever you're doing and quickly wins people over with her fun, social personality.
Energy Level?
Medium. Maisy has bursts of playful "mountain goat" energy and enjoys exploring, but she's equally happy relaxing with a sunny spot for a nap.
House-trained?
Mostly. Maisy does well about going outside to potty but has had some accidents on the rugs
, so her foster has found it easiest to keep those picked up while she continues to build good habits.
Read more about Maisy
Describe how they are on leash?
Maisy walks well on leash and enjoys getting out for walks and adventures.
Describe how they are with other dogs?
When meeting new dogs, Maisy may bark or lunge initially, but once she has a chance to settle in and become comfortable, she does well and enjoys canine companionship.
Have they been around cats or other animals? How were they?
Yes. Maisy has lived with a cat, whom she happily ignores, and she gets along very well with another dog in her foster home.
Commands they know?
Maisy is still learning her basic commands and is currently working on "sit," "off," and "quiet." She's eager to learn with positive reinforcement.
What are their favorite things?
Attention, affection, affection, affection,
food (especially treats!), walks, and spending time with her people. She also enjoys social outings after she's had a little time to check out her surroundings.
What do they need to work on?
Maisy is continuing to learn her basic manners and commands. Like many curious dogs, she'll occasionally help herself to shoes or laundry if they're left within reach, so she'll benefit from continued training, puppy proofing, and management.
How are they when left alone? How long have they been left alone?
Maisy does well when left alone. She is crated for up to four hours at a time, typically no more than a couple of days each week, and handles it well.
Where do they sleep?
Maisy sleeps comfortably in her crate.
What is their ideal home?
Maisy is a wonderfully adaptable dog who would fit into many different types of homes. She has done well with dogs and cats, and while she hasn't been around children yet, her sweet, social nature suggests she could do well with a family willing to give her a proper introduction. Whether it's a single person, a couple, or a family, Maisy will thrive with people who enjoy including her in their daily lives and can provide moderate exercise, continued training, and lots of love. She's an easygoing, affectionate companion who forms strong bonds and will make a wonderful addition to a lucky family.
The Adoption fee is $325.
For adoption consideration or to meet our dogs
, please complete our online adoption application at
www.everypetsdream.org/adopt
. W
e will have everything we need to know to call you back and set up an appointment. Follow us: Facebook and Instagram
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
Adopting a dog with children in Manteca
Bring the whole family to meet the dog before you adopt, and ask the rescue how the dog behaves around children your kids' ages.
Teach children to let the dog come to them, to stroke gently, and to leave the dog alone while it's eating or sleeping. Give the dog a bed or crate of their own to retreat to, and always supervise young children with a new dog.
Relaxed adult dogs are often a better match for young children than puppies, which jump up, nip and chew while they learn.
Rescues with kid-friendly dogs near Manteca
- Every Pet's DreamSanta Clara, CA · 3 kid-friendly dogs above
- K9 Paw Print RescueOakley, Ca · 3 kid-friendly dogs above
- Umbrella of HopePittsburg, CA · 2 kid-friendly dogs above
- City of Elk Grove Animal ServicesElk Grove, CA · 1 kid-friendly dog above
- Northern California Sled Dog RescueWalnut Creek, CA · 1 kid-friendly dog above
Questions about adopting kid-friendly dogs in Manteca
How many kid-friendly dogs are up for adoption in Manteca?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 50 miles of Manteca, California, have 10 kid-friendly dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a kid-friendly dog in Manteca?
The rescues with the most kid-friendly dogs near Manteca right now are Every Pet's Dream (Santa Clara, CA), K9 Paw Print Rescue (Oakley, Ca) and Umbrella of Hope (Pittsburg, CA). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
What kind of dog is best with kids?
A calm, patient dog that the rescue has seen around children. Adult dogs are often easier than puppies with young kids, since their personalities are known and they play less roughly.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.