Large Dogs for Adoption in Waukegan, IL: 20 Big Dogs Looking for a Home

BIO
Hello! My name is Aiden. I am currently being treated for heartworm. My heartworm treatment will be completed, and I can go home with my family the middle of December 2026. I am housetrained. I am not crate trained. I have been fine when left unsupervised. When meeting strangers I go right up to them without barking and enjoy getting pet. I have been friendly to everyone I meet.I have met other dogs; however, I prefer female dogs about the same size as me. I really love to play with the female dog here at my foster home. I have not met any cats, so I do not know how I feel about them. I don’t really care about toys. I like going for car rides. I walk well on a leash with no reactivity. I know a few commands, but maybe you could teach me more. I love being brushed. Look how handsome I am.I would like to find a home with someone active. Someone who likes hiking and going on adventures. We could go to some obedience classes where I could learn lots of things. I can be an only dog. It would be nice to find a friend and have some play dates to help keep up my social skills since I do enjoy running around and playing. Do you know anyone with a female dog who would like to play with me?
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogAiden
For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

This dog is a recent arrival to REACH Rescue. Please check back for more information as their foster family gets to know them!Stop by our weekly adoption events on Saturdays from 11-3 pm at 372 Townline Road in Mundelein, IL 60060 to meet our adoptable animals in person.Follow us on Facebook for additional updates and sneak peeks of new dogs! https://www.facebook.com/reachrescue

Meet Wally, a handsome 4-month-old Lab mix who is just beginning to discover what it means to be a dog! Wally had a tough start in life, coming from a hoarding situation where he lived with 40 other dogs. He’s still learning about the world around him and will need a patient, loving family to help him build confidence and feel safe.Despite his fears, Wally is an affectionate, playful boy who loves attention. He is crate trained and working on his potty training and puppy manners with both people and other dogs. He is food motivated, although he can be a little particular about his treats! The outside world can be scary for Wally right now.

Hondo was recently returned to rescue when his owner was facing a housing crisis. He is currently boarding with our friends at playful pets playtime. Hondo was originally rescued from Chicago Animal Control where he was brought in as a stray. He is about 2-3 years old, neutered, vaccinated, and housebroken. Hondo is dog friendly and attends daycare.

This dog is a recent arrival to REACH Rescue. Please check back for more information as their foster family gets to know them!Stop by our weekly adoption events on Saturdays from 11-3 pm at 372 Townline Road in Mundelein, IL 60060 to meet our adoptable animals in person.Follow us on Facebook for additional updates and sneak peeks of new dogs! https://www.facebook.com/reachrescue

Introducing the beautiful Ingrid. This gorgeous girl may be big in size, but she is really just a big baby with an even bigger heart. Ingrid is a total sweetheart who absolutely adores people and loves spending quality time with her favorite humans. She is incredibly loving and affectionate, and if you think your lap is reserved for a smaller pup, think again. She may just try to climb right in and cuddle up, because when it comes to showing love, she believes there is no such thing as being too big for a lap. She is a fun-loving girl with a playful spirit. She enjoys going for walks and carries herself with such grace. But don't let her elegant stroll fool you—this girl has a silly, dramatic side, too. She may occasionally perform her hilarious fake fall-to-the-ground routine when she wants your attention, and her adorable antics are sure to keep you smiling and laughing.

BIO
Hello! My name is Yukon. You can call me Yuki if you like. I am house trained and crate trained. I should be crated when you cannot supervise me. I am still learning. I am very good in my crate. I even share my crate with my cat friend. I have just completed heartworm treatment, and I am ready to find my family. I love meeting people and getting all the attention and petting I can. I love being close to my people. I am not shy so I will snuggle up to you for some cuddling.I have met other dogs of different sizes, and I am always friendly when greeting them. I live with a young female dog here at my foster home and we play together and run around the backyard. I also live with cats and do very well with them. I am learning commands. I walk well on a leash. I do pull a little if I see a squirrel but, hey, who doesn’t. I like playing with toys, especially my Starmark ball and chew toys. I know how to play fetch. I am good in the car. I would like to find a home with a fenced yard; I absolutely love to run around. A home with a young playful female dog would be best. An active family that likes to go places, hiking and exploring. Someone who will continue teaching me how to become the best boy I can be. Could that be you?
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogYukon
For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

Otto was rescued from Waukegan Animal Control where he was brought in as a stray. He is estimated to be 3 years old. Otto came into rescue very underweight with long nails and ear infections. He has been in foster care for the last month and is doing well! Otto gets along well with other dogs and is fostered with two other German Shepherds. He is learning to play with toys and loves cuddling his foster mom. Otto is a sweet boy and doesn't show any reactivity towards people or dogs. When his foster siblings bark he likes to join in and howl! Otto loves his crate and sees it as his safe space. He has not been around children but suspect he'd do well with older, respectful kids.

BIO
Hello! My name is Sassa. I am currently undergoing heartworm treatment. When that is complete, I will be spayed. I will be ready for adoption in October. I get very excited when visitors come to the house. I am very friendly and affectionate, especially with children, I love children.I am friendly with all the dogs I meet. I even had a puppy friend to play with. I have not met any cats, so I do not know how I feel about them. I love my stuffies and chew toys. I like going for rides in the car. I walk very well on a leash. I come when you call my name and I know no means no. I am very good about getting baths. I was in bad shape when I came into rescue and foster mom had to give me lots of baths. Look at me now! I will require iron and joint supplements to help me continue to do well.I would like to find a home with someone that would love a very sweet old girl with spirit like me to follow them around. I am great with children but would do best as a companion to someone that is home more often than not. I am really a gem that deserves a good life with someone that loves me. Could that be you?
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogSassa
For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

Meet Ivy! Ivy is a sweet, approximately one-year-old German Shepherd who was rescued from Will County Animal Control. She can be a little shy when she first meets someone, but once she feels comfortable, her gentle and loving personality shines through.

Ivy does well with other dogs and would enjoy having a canine playmate in her forever home. She is housebroken and does well in her crate. She is still working on her leash skills and basic commands, so her new family should be willing to continue her obedience training and help her build confidence.

Remy is a gorgeous 4–5-year-old male found as a stray in Park Ridge IL We don't know how such a lovely boy was not reclaimed. He is an active pup who loves people and wants to be a part of whatever his foster family is doing. He will happily come over for pets or offer a gentle nose boop just to let you know he is there. Bring out a toy or toss a ball for a game of fetch, and he is ready to play! If you're going somewhere, Remy loves the car and is always ready for the next adventure.

A day in the life of a North Chicago Animal Control pup. My name is Nikko. I currently reside in the loving care of my hero, Damien. He is the animal warden at NCAC. I enjoy lounging on the couch, hanging out in my run, going for walks with volunteers, eating treats and basking in the sun like a beached whale! I am the ripe age of 10 years old. The world was not always so kind to me. I came to this place severely emaciated and with a large tumor on my face. I was in good spirits but nonetheless losing my faith in this life. My hero scooped me up and brought me to shelter. He nurtured me to health and learned I have some specifications when it come's to being handled. I don't trust too easily. In this new chapter of my life I am looking for a fresh start. I want to retire in a quiet home with one or 2 loving older humans. I am not very fond of children as I spent very little time around them and in my older years I prefer calmness and predictability. I am pretty low energy and dont require too much more than a coxy dog bed, a few walks and a yard would be nice for some sun tanning. I promise to be lazy, fat and not judge you personally. Consider taking me home and maybe we can fade into the sunshine together.

Moe is a young Boxer mix with a big personality and a loving heart. He’s potty trained, crate trained, listens well, and does great with other dogs. Moe is generally good-natured and likes to stay close to his people—he enjoys being part of whatever’s going on.

Moe loves toys and snuggles and has an active, playful side that will thrive with an engaged family. He would do best in an active home that can provide structure, exercise, and continued training. Because Moe can get mouthy during play, he should not be placed in a home with small children.

BIO
Hello! My name is Morris. I am house trained and crate trained. I am currently being crated when my foster dad cannot supervise me. I am not destructive, I am still unsure of my new surroundings. I love it when visitors come to the house. I don’t bark at people. I just love everyone I meet. I wag my tail and hope to show off my ball playing skills. Don’t let my age fool you. I can catch a ball like a champ.I don’t care for other dogs. I pull a bit on the leash, however I am not reactive when I see other dogs. I just look and keep on walking. I have not met any cats, so I do not know how I feel about them. I like going for rides in the car. Maybe we could go on an adventure. I know lots of commands. I don’t care too much for toys, just give me my ball. It would be even better if we could play a few games of catch.I would like to find a home with an active family. A home where someone is home more often than not. It would be nice to have a yard to play ball in. If you are looking for an excellent dog with lots of spunk, look no further, here I am. Did I mention I love to play ball?
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogMorris2026
For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

Introducing Simba, our adorable big guy with an even bigger heart. This handsome boy is friendly, sweet, affectionate, and full of playful energy. Simba is deaf, but that certainly doesn't slow him down. He embraces life to the fullest and approaches each day with enthusiasm and a happy spirit. He does have a naturally protective side, making him a loyal and devoted companion. Because Simba is deaf, he will thrive with an owner who has experience with his breed or someone who is committed to learning positive training techniques that cater to his needs. He is crate trained and is doing a great job continuing his obedience training while learning to walk nicely on a leash. Simba
loves spending time with people and is always ready for a game of fetch;

BIO
Hello! My name is Henley. I am house trained and crate trained. You do not need to crate me as I am a mature, well-behaved guy. I’ll just go take a nap when you must step out. I enjoy being around my people. I love attention, pets & scratches. I will alert you if someone comes to the house, but I will settle down quickly.I live with another dog in my foster home and had no problems with other dogs when I was at the shelter. I did not do so well with meeting cats, so no cats for me. I walk well on a leash. I will bark and pull a bit if I see another dog, we are working on that. I know some commands and I have a good recall. Even though I am an older gentleman, I still like this stuffie rope toy I have. I don’t play fetch. I like to go for car rides, but I need help getting in/out of the car. I am sure I can learn how to use a ramp. Maybe you could teach me.I would love to find a home where my people are home more often than not. I occasionally play with my foster sister, but I can be an only dog. I prefer my people over other dogs. I am a low energy, low maintenance kind of guy. I do, however, enjoy my walks. We could go for a walk, maybe a little bit of yard time. Or we could just simply hangout together.
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogHenley2026
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For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

Moe is a young Boxer mix with a big personality and a loving heart. He’s potty trained, crate trained, listens well, and does great with other dogs. Moe is generally good-natured and likes to stay close to his people—he enjoys being part of whatever’s going on.Moe loves toys and snuggles and has an active, playful side that will thrive with an engaged family. He would do best in an active home that can provide structure, exercise, and continued training. Because Moe can get mouthy during play, he should not be placed in a home with small children.Moe will need an experienced dog owner. While he shows no signs of aggression in daily life, he has reacted with little warning when medications are applied to his ears or skin during treatment for infections.

Jacks is an energetic two-year-old male rescue from Chicago Animal Control. He has completed training at Dog Style and in need of a foster or adoptive home. Jacks is very athletic and loves to run, jump, and play fetch. He would be a great dog sport candidate. Jacks is very sweet and affectionate with his people. He is housebroken, crate trained, and knows basic commands. Jacks is a typical GSD that is protective of his home, but does well meeting new people with lots of treats and praise. Jacks does well with other dogs, but needs to be properly introduced. He would do best in a home with no cats or small children.

BIO
Hello! My name is Tam. I am 2 or 3 years old. I am house trained. I do not like to be crated. I do not need to be crated when you cannot supervise me. If you do leave me alone, I will sleep most of the time. I have other dogs here to keep me company. I am good with both men and women. I am not much of a snuggler, but I love to be pet. I’ll come over to you for attention. I will even roll over for belly rubs. In the daytime I will approach strangers slowly. At night if I don’t recognize a person, I will bark at them. I do very well with the other dogs in my foster home. They are females, different sizes. One dog is high energy, another not so much. I did not do so good with the cat. So, it is best if you do not have a cat. I like to destuff toys and pull all the toys out of the toy box. I guard my toys and food from the other dogs so foster mom doesn't leave anything laying around and is proactive with trying to work on this issue. I ignore loud noises like thunderstorms and sirens. I am nervous about getting in a car, but Foster Mom and I are working on this. I love my daily walks, and I am pretty much a dream walking companion as I am completely nonreactive on leash even to the point of ignoring squirrels.I would like to find a home with someone who is home more often than not. I do like running around & playing with one of the dogs here at my foster home. A home with someone that has patience and can continue working with me to build my confidence. Are you looking for a Velcro dog, I want to be one.
Follow me on Facebook: #EchoDogTam
For more information, please contact adoptions@echodogs.org.

Hodor recently completed heartworm treatment and is ready for his forever home! He is currently fostered with a female GSD and likes to play with her. Hodor is estimated to be 4 years old and weighs 80 lbs. He is more on the submissive side with humans and will cower if you raise your voice or if he thinks he will be hit. Hodor has been friendly to children he has met out on walks. He would benefit from training to help build his confidence and work on obedience skills.