Kid-Friendly Dogs for Adoption in Columbus, IN: 12 Dogs Good with Children
By Dogs of the Day · Updated

Rescues and shelters within 50 miles of Columbus have 12 kid-friendly dogs up for adoption. Here are all 12, 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 Columbus? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. The Doxies
Adult · Female · Dachshund / Mixed · 32 mi from Columbus



Meet Our Sweet Little Dachshund Mix family! Meet Dolly! Small in size, big in sweetness! This adorable little girl is a Dachshund mix who came into our care from a hoarding case, and she’s ready for a fresh start and a brighter future. She’s a cute little sweetheart with so much potential, and we can’t wait to learn more about her as she settles in. While we’re still getting to know her personality, one thing we already know is that she’s a very sweet girl who deserves a loving home of her very own! Could you be the fresh start she’s been waiting for? She’s hoping someone will look past her past and see the precious little pup she is.
Read more about The Doxies
If you’re looking for a small companion to welcome into your heart, this cutie might just be the one for you! If you would like to meet any of our pets, they are available for viewing, every single day from noon until 3:30pm. If you have other dogs a meet and greet is required. Calling before a long drive is recommended to confirm availability. Ripley County Humane Society, 1202 W County Rd 150 N, Osgood, IN 47037. 812-689-3773 You can fill out an application online at this link - https://petstablished.com/adoption_form/57789/generic .
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
2. The Doxies
Puppy · Female · Dachshund / Mixed · 32 mi from Columbus


Meet Our Sweet Little Dachshund Mix family! Meet Delta! Small in size, big in sweetness! This adorable little girl is a Dachshund mix who came into our care from a hoarding case, and she’s ready for a fresh start and a brighter future. She’s a cute little sweetheart with so much potential, and we can’t wait to learn more about her as she settles in. While we’re still getting to know her personality, one thing we already know is that she’s a very sweet girl who deserves a loving home of her very own! Could you be the fresh start she’s been waiting for? She’s hoping someone will look past her past and see the precious little pup she is.
Read more about The Doxies
If you’re looking for a small companion to welcome into your heart, this cutie might just be the one for you! If you would like to meet any of our pets, they are available for viewing, every single day from noon until 3:30pm. If you have other dogs a meet and greet is required. Calling before a long drive is recommended to confirm availability. Ripley County Humane Society, 1202 W County Rd 150 N, Osgood, IN 47037. 812-689-3773 You can fill out an application online at this link - https://petstablished.com/adoption_form/57789/generic .
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
3. Rusty
1 Month 30 Days · Male · Terrier / Mixed · 1 mi from Columbus


We are unsure of the breed, but Rusty has very long legs! He will require a refundable $150 neuter deposit
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
4. Poe
Young (2 years 6 months) · Male · Pug (short coat) · 40 mi from Columbus





Meet Poe, a sweet 2.5 y/o male pug with big puppy energy!
- great w/ older kids (13 and up) cannot confirm on younger but would assume yes because he is the sweetest. He does like to jump though so keep that in mind!
- working on potty training and has made huge improvements since getting fixed. We use belly bands at night but only as a precaution - there has been no urine in the diaper for days.
- working on boundaries with jumping on furniture.
- cannot walk down basement stairs but will go up. No problem with wider steps outside.
Read more about Poe
- I think he would love any animal! I can only confirm he has enjoyed having a companion in an older beagle/hound mix. He very clearly loves other dogs but has no concept of personal space which is not always reciprocated by the other dog. He would love to have a fellow doggy companion that can match his energy.
- Will sit for a treat. Working on laying down.
- cuddly, loves belly scratches, and did I mention how sweet he is
- loves taking walks and is well-behaved while walking on a leash. He also enjoys the freedom of a fenced in back yard.
In spite of his rough start to life, he has so much love to give the right family!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
5. Diamond Doll
Young · Female · Labrador Retriever · 32 mi from Columbus




This beautiful chonky girl came from an Amish breeder that was shut down. We initially thought that she was pregnant but she was just overweight! She is happy and gets along well with other dogs. If you would like to meet Diamond, please call ahead. She is in foster care and will need a private viewing arranged. Calling before a long drive is recommended to confirm availability. Ripley County Humane Society, 1202 W County Rd 150 N, Osgood, IN 47037. 812-689-3773 You can fill out an application online at this link - https://petstablished.com/adoption_form/57789/generic .
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
6. Buffy and Tina
Young (2 years 9 months) · Female · Maltese / Mixed (medium coat) · 1 mi from Columbus




Buffy and Tina are buddies who need to find a home together. Buffy is a maltese and Tina is a chihuahua. Their owner was a homeless woman so these two little dogs were very dependant on each other. They were frequently left alone for long periods of time. Buffy is a little skittish around strange people at first but warms up quickly to anyone with a lap for her to snuggle on. Tina is a little more nervous and is frightened of men. Both love their walks and sniffing out all the new smells. Both are crate, leash and potty trained and love treats and snoozing on the couch. Both are UTD on shots, spayed and on flea preventatives. Neither has ever been around small children. The perfect home would be a quiet husehold with a patient loving lady and a fenced yard to play in.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
- Adopt together
7. Sophie
Adult (8 years 1 month) · Female · Pug (short coat) · 40 mi from Columbus


Sophie is a sweet older pug. We believe she is about 8 years old. She loves to lay on the couch and cuddle! She is calm and gets along with other dogs, cats and children. She had some health problems when she came to us, but she is feeling much better now. She will need to be on allergy meds and eye ointment for the rest of her life. Sophie is looking for her favorite family to snuggle with!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
8. Lucy
Senior (13 years) · Female · Pug (short coat) · 40 mi from Columbus









Meet Lucy! Lucy and her brother, Oliver, are bonded and must be adopted together. They are the sweetest, happiest golden-era brother and sister duo. They are both very sprightly for being 13! Their temperaments are lovely; Lucy is definitely more independent. She likes to be close to her humans but isn’t super snuggly. Neither of them seem to like / be used to being held so wouldn’t describe them as “lap dogs” necessarily, but they do enjoy sleeping right next to you on the couch / wherever and follow you from room to room. They have been well-socialized and I’m told they “went everywhere" with their owners. They love bananas.
Read more about Lucy
They love a good nap and sleep a lot, just as you’d expect. They love a car ride and a walk in the stroller around the lake in the evening.
They would probably do best in a one story home or in a home where they will be primarily downstairs. They seem to like to sleep on their own, each in their own bed, side-by-side. They seem to have limited exposure to stairs/steps. Lucy now gets up and down small steps to go in and out of the house, but is not confident in using a standard set of stairs and would need stairs to be blocked or monitored access.
The vet says they are in good shape for their age; both with some arthritis, cataracts and hearing loss. Both of their ears needed some TLC and have been routinely cleaning both with rx solution. In past vet records, there is mention of hind limb ataxia, IVDD, "swaying hind end gait” in Lucy’s record but haven’t seen any evidence of limb ataxia or IVDD and vet wasn’t concerned.
Lucy is on Prion 25mg x 1/2 tab) twice daily for urinary frequency/incontinence. Both babies have intermittent episodes of incontinence (urine and BM) - this seems to be functional vs. behavioral. They both due well with occasional reusable diapers / belly band (i.e. car rides, visits, etc).
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
9. Oliver
Senior (13 years) · Male · Pug (short coat) · 40 mi from Columbus









Meet Oliver! He and his sister Lucy are bonded and must be adopted together. They are the sweetest, happiest golden-era brother and sister duo. They are both very sprightly for being 13! Their temperaments are lovely; Oliver has the biggest smile and bounces when he gets excited — so cute! Because of his vision and hearing loss, he does occasionally howl softly (as much as a pug can howl) if he wakes and doesn’t know where Lucy or his people are. Neither of them seem to like / be used to being held (just seems like maybe they weren’t held / cuddled a lot in that way) so wouldn’t describe them as “lap dogs” necessarily, but they do enjoy sleeping right next to you on the couch / wherever and follow you from room to room. They have been well-socialized and I’m told they “went everywhere" with their owners. They love bananas. Like any pug I’ve ever met, they both act like they’ve never been fed a day in their lives. Oliver does best when he’s hand fed with palm open, as he will chomp down hard when taking a treat — it doesn’t seem to be in an aggressive way and zero sign that he would bite/snap at anyone — think it’s likely more related to his vision and living most of his life as one of four pugs in the family.
Read more about Oliver
They love a good nap and sleep a lot, just as you’d expect. They love a car ride and a walk in the stroller around the lake in the evening. It’s been too hot to walk much more than that for them lately.
They would probably do best in a one story home or in a home where they will be primarily downstairs. They seem to like to sleep on their own, each in their own bed, side-by-side. They seem to have limited exposure to stairs/steps. Oliver still hops over nearly flat thresholds (very cute) and needs help getting down and up the steps onto the lawn. We live in a two story house and neither of them has even attempted to go up the stairs.
The vet says they are in good shape for their age; both with some arthritis, cataracts and hearing loss (Oliver seems to be worse on all counts). Both of their ears needed some TLC and have been routinely cleaning both with rx solution and Oliver got antibiotic drops every other day for 14 days. Oliver’s hind end does sway a bit with his gait, but as you would expect with and old guy with arthritis and he doesn’t seem to be in any pain.
Both babies have intermittent episodes of incontinence (urine and BM) - this seems to be functional vs. behavioral. They both due well with occasional reusable diapers / belly band (i.e. car rides, visits, etc).
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
10. Charlie
8 Years 1 Month · Male · Labrador Retriever / Plott Hound / Mixed (short coat) · 1 mi from Columbus




Charlie is a playful sweet dog. He is very social and loves to play with other dogs. He loves to play in water and be outside.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
11. Freddie
Adult · Male · Coonhound · 32 mi from Columbus




Looking for a good ol' dog with a heart of gold? Meet Freddie! This handsome gentleman may be 10 years old, but he still has plenty of love to give and life to enjoy! Freddie is super friendly, lovable, and as laidback as they come. He's not in a hurry to do anything - he'd rather take life at his own pace, enjoy the fresh air, and spend his days being a happy dog. He especially loves being outside and putting his nose to work, treeing those little critters whenever he gets the chance! Freddie is house-trained, neutered, and up to date on his vaccines, making him ready to settle into a loving home.
Read more about Freddie
This sweet boy was previously adopted, but unfortunately, he had to come back through no fault of his own. Now he's hoping someone will give him another chance at having a family to call his own. After knowing what it's like to have a home, Freddie would sure love to find that happiness again. Senior dogs have a special kind of love, and Freddie is proof that a good dog only gets better with time. He isn't asking for much - just a cozy place to call home, some time outdoors, and someone to love him for the rest of his days. Freddie is ready to slow down, enjoy the simple things, and be your best friend. Could you be the one to give this sweet old soul his happily-ever-after? If you would like to meet any of our pets, they are available for viewing, every single day from noon until 3:30pm. If you have other dogs a meet and greet is required. Calling before a long drive is recommended to confirm availability. Ripley County Humane Society, 1202 W County Rd 150 N, Osgood, IN 47037. 812-689-3773 You can fill out an application online at this link - https://petstablished.com/adoption_form/57789/generic .
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
12. Penelope
Young (1 year 2 months) · Female · Shepherd / Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler / Mixed · 1 mi from Columbus







Penelope is a sweet girl that loves to hike and run around with sticks. She came to us shy at first, but is warming up nicely. She walks well on a leash and is learning basic commands. Penelope is crate trained and would do well with other dogs in the home
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
Adopting a dog with children in Columbus
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 Columbus
- Ripley County Humane SocietyOsgood, IN · 4 kid-friendly dogs above
- Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE)Columbus, IN · 4 kid-friendly dogs above
- Kentuckiana Pug RescueIndianapolis, IN · 4 kid-friendly dogs above
Questions about adopting kid-friendly dogs in Columbus
How many kid-friendly dogs are up for adoption in Columbus?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 50 miles of Columbus, Indiana, have 12 kid-friendly dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a kid-friendly dog in Columbus?
The rescues with the most kid-friendly dogs near Columbus right now are Ripley County Humane Society (Osgood, IN), Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) (Columbus, IN) and Kentuckiana Pug Rescue (Indianapolis, IN). 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.