Small Dogs for Adoption in Council Bluffs, IA: 9 Little Dogs Looking for a Home
By Dogs of the Day · Updated

Rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Council Bluffs have 9 small dogs up for adoption. Here are all 9, each with photos, their story and how to reach the rescue looking after them.
Every dog on this page is listed by their rescue as small, with breeds like Terrier, Chihuahua and Shih Tzu.
Not in Council Bluffs? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Barnabus Collins
Young · Male · Terrier / Chihuahua / Mixed (short coat) · 14 mi from Council Bluffs




Life can take an unexpected turn, and sometimes all you need is a fresh start with someone who will love you forever. It's Barnabas Collins' turn for a happy ending!
Meet Barnabas Collins, a handsome 2-year-old, 7.6-pound Terrier Chihuahua possibly mix who is ready to start his next chapter.Barnabas was recently found wandering the streets of Texas alongside his pug friend. After making the journey to Nebraska, he's ready to leave his past behind and embrace the good life.
Read more about Barnabus Collins
Barnabas is a sweet, happy-go-lucky little guy with a gentle personality and a heart full of love. He gets along wonderfully with the other dogs and cats in his foster home and enjoys spending cuddle time with people just as much. Whether he's exploring the yard, soaking up the sunshine, or hanging out with his family, Barnabas is simply happy to be included.
He's currently learning how to walk on a leash and is making great progress while practicing in the backyard. With a little patience and encouragement, this smart boy will continue to blossom.
Barnabas Collins is looking for a family that will give him the love, security, and forever home he deserves. Could you be the happy ending he's been waiting for? ❤️
ADOPTION DONATION: $425
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
2. Beanie Weenie
Young · Male · Chinese Crested-Hairless / Shih Tzu / Mixed (short coat) · 11 mi from Council Bluffs




If you were wondering what happens when you cross a majestic gargoyle with a very concerned Harry Potter house elf (and name him after a savory snack) look no further. Those bat ears? Radar-ready. Those tufts of hair? Pure wizard chic. That facial expression? A mix of deep, ancient wisdom and absolute confusion as to why a literal beanie weanie (or piece of cheese) hasn’t magically appeared in his mouth yet.
*13 months old
*Chinese crested/shih Tzu mix
*Male
*Weight - 11.25 pounds
*Medical- up to date, including neuter and microchip
*Personality - initially cautious, curious and once comfortable full time snuggle buddy
*Good with cats and dogs -
*Human Children - unknown but based on current exposure he would do well with respectful children
*Men - LOVES them. Yes, he is fine with women, but he loves him a man.
*Potty trained - I'm gonna say 99.99% because we're still learning each other's language.
Read more about Beanie Weenie
To help pay for vet bills and care (transportation, food, toys, etc..) a $450 donation is requested at the time of adoption. All of our adoptions are contingent upon an approved application, home visit, reference check, obedience training agreement, and signing of adoption contract. All our dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption. Our dogs are companion animals that live indoors as part of your family. Please do not apply if your plan is to have them as outside dogs, garage dogs, porch dogs or outside kennel dogs. We do not ship dogs.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
3. Beezus
Adult · Female · Terrier / Boston Terrier / Mixed (short coat) · 14 mi from Council Bluffs





Cold weather is coming, and darling Beezus is ready
to be your personal lap warmer!
At 2 years old and 25 lbs, this girl is out of the puppy stages and is the perfect size for snuggling! Beezus is friendly, outgoing, and hands out kisses like it’s a contest. Kids? Absolutely! Big dogs, little dogs? Yep! Cats? She's lived with one before and did great! Basically, Beezus is an equal opportunity best friend.
Read more about Beezus
Beezus had surgery on both knees before she turned a year old to correct luxating patellas, which made walking difficult. Thankfully, she's healed up beautifully and can run and play like any other pup! She'd love another friendly dog to play with, a cat to share her space with, or she'd be perfectly happy as your one and only, as long as you're willing to provide the snuggles.
She's housebroken, crate trained, walks well on a leash, and is well behaved when left to roam the house. The perfect dog! She sleeps quietly through the night with her people, too. Beezus does have some seasonal allergies that have been well managed with Cytopoint injections as needed, typically during late summer and fall.
Beezus is the whole package! Sweet, playful, friendly, well behaved, and ready to be someone's favorite cuddle buddy. She's spayed, fully vetted and vaccinated, microchipped, and ready for her forever home! Her adoption donation fee is $375.
If you’re looking for an awesome little companion, Beezus is ready to meet you! Please apply directly in the dropdown menu on our website at
https://havenanimalrescuenebraska.org
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
4. Willow
Adult · Female · Chihuahua · 17 mi from Council Bluffs



Meet Willow — Our Newest Little Gal to rescue! Born 12/2/2021. Tiny in size, big on cuteness! Willow has just arrived at rescue, and we’re already excited to get to know this little cup-sized sweetheart.We’re still learning all about her personality, quirks, and what makes her special, so consider this her introduction rather than her full story. We’ll keep updating her bio as she settles in and we discover more about this little girl.Here’s what we know so far about Willow: tiny girl, impressive résumé! She’s house and kennel trained, gets along well with other dogs, and is happy to welcome canine pals and new human admirers into her fan club! Her preferred audience? The middle-school-and-up crowd.
Read more about Willow
Younger kiddos aren’t on her guest list, so she’d preferably have a home without little ones. A girl this small is allowed to have a few big opinions!She’ll also need secure fencing with no little escape routes—wrought iron bars, small holes, and loose spots can all become Chihuahua-sized doorways! Her yard needs to keep her adventures safely contained.Willow arrived with a little extra cushion, so she’s looking for someone to join her on her “less pudge, more pep” journey. Regular walks and a nutritious diet with sensible portions will help her reach a healthy weight and feel her best. She’ll bring the charm; you bring the leash and measuring scoop! The suggested adoption fee for Willow is $585. Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
5. Maple
Adult · Female · Chihuahua · 17 mi from Council Bluffs




Well, hello there, Maple, welcome to rescue! Somebody forgot to tell this little Chihuahua born on 04/11/2022, that she’s supposed to be bigger than a potato to make a grand entrance! This pint-sized cutie is new to rescue, and we’re just getting to know her. We’re still learning all about her little personality, what makes her tick, and what kind of forever home will make her tiny tail wag. We’ll keep updating her bio as we discover more about this pocket-sized sweetheart!Here’s what we do know so far about Maple: this little lady comes with some lovely credentials! She’s house and kennel trained, gets along well with other dogs, and enjoys making new human friends.
Read more about Maple
She walks great on a leash, too—your tiny walking buddy is ready for her next outing! When it comes to children, she prefers the middle-school-and-up crowd, so a home without younger kiddos would be her preference. Small girl, selective guest list!Maple will need secure fencing because her petite size makes ordinary gaps look like open invitations. Wrought iron bars, small holes, and loose spots can become exits for a determined little explorer, so her yard needs to keep her adventures safely on the right side of the fence.She also arrived carrying a little extra sweetness around the middle and is working toward a healthy weight. She’s looking for someone committed to regular walks and a nutritious diet with sensible portions to help her feel her best. With those lovely leash manners, she’s already doing her part—she just needs a partner for her “more strolls, fewer snacks” era! The suggested adoption fee for Maple is $585. Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
6. Ozzy
Puppy · Male · Shih Tzu / Rat Terrier / Mixed · 17 mi from Council Bluffs




Meet Ozzy — Professional Snugglebug, Part-Time Puppy!Born July 20, 2026 | Shih Tzu / Rat Terrier MixSome puppies bring the zoomies. Some bring the mischief. Some bring enough energy to keep an entire household on its toes. And then there’s Ozzy, who brings all of that puppy magic wrapped up in one itty-bitty package, with an extra helping of snuggles thrown in for good measure.This tiny little guy is pure puppy, but he’s also a certified cuddlebug in the making. His favorite place to be? Curled up with his person, soaking up affection and reminding everyone that there’s always room for one more snuggle.
Read more about Ozzy
Of course, don’t mistake that love of cuddles for a lack of puppy shenanigans. Ozzy is still a baby, after all, and we’re sure there are plenty of goofy antics, curious explorations, and entertaining little adventures ahead!Ozzy came into rescue with his brother, Ollie, and he’s already off to a great start. He’s doing well with potty training, which is something worth celebrating for such a young pup! He’s showing us that even the tiniest members of the family can make some pretty impressive progress.He’s also working on crate training, learning household routines, building good habits, and mastering all those important puppy life skills. He’s got a lot to learn, but with patience, consistency, positive reinforcement, and plenty of encouragement, we’re excited to watch this little guy continue to grow and thrive.And when all that learning and exploring is done? We have a feeling Ozzy will be more than happy to clock out for the day and curl up beside his favorite human. Because while he’s absolutely here for the puppy adventures, he’s also very much here for the cuddles.Ozzy is brand-new to rescue, so we’re still getting to know all the little quirks, funny habits, and sweet details that make him uniquely Ozzy. We’ll keep updating his bio as his personality unfolds, but so far, we know he’s a tiny sweetheart who’s off to a wonderful start.If your arms have been feeling a little too empty, your couch could use a permanent snuggle companion, and your heart has room for a whole lot of puppy love, Ozzy would like to be considered for the position.The job comes with tiny paws, unlimited sweetness, and a strong likelihood that your personal space will soon become a thing of the past. The suggested adoption fee for Ozzy is $715. Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
7. Ollie
Puppy · Male · Shih Tzu / Rat Terrier / Mixed · 17 mi from Council Bluffs



Meet Ollie — Small Pup, BIG Main Character Energy! Born July 20, 2026 | Shih Tzu / Rat Terrier MixIf your household has been missing a little chaos, a lot of cuteness, and a tiny four-legged overachiever, allow us to introduce you to Ollie! This little guy is pure puppy energy wrapped up in one adorable package. He’s curious, busy, playful, and ready to take on the world one zoomie at a time! And if his foster’s suspicions are correct, Ollie may have one very important weakness: TREATS. We have a feeling this boy’s future training sessions are going to be highly productive when snacks are involved.
Read more about Ollie
Ollie came into rescue with his brother, Ozzy, but he’s already showing us that he’s a clever little guy with a personality all his own. Exhibit A? He’s already doing great with potty training! Somebody give this kid a gold star (and maybe a cookie, because we’re pretty sure he’d appreciate that).He’s also working on crate training and all those other important puppy life skills. He’s just getting started, but we’re expecting big things from this bright little dude. With consistency, patience, positive reinforcement, and plenty of opportunities to burn off that puppy energy, we think Ollie is going to keep impressing us!Ollie is still brand-new to rescue, so we’re getting to know all the little quirks, goofy habits, and lovable details that make him Ollie. We’ll keep updating his bio as his brilliant little personality unfolds, but one thing is already clear: this boy is off to a fantastic start!If you’re ready for puppy antics, treat-powered training sessions, and a whole lot of love in a small package, Ollie might just be your guy. Stay tuned as this little superstar grows, learns, and steals hearts one adorable moment at a time! The suggested adoption fee for Ollie is $715. Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
8. Evie
Senior · Female · French Bulldog · 17 mi from Council Bluffs




Evie is a darling French Bulldog born on 11/23/2017 who is looking for a family to call her own. At eight years young, she has mastered the art of companionship and is happiest relaxing near her people, soaking up attention, and enjoying all the cuddles.Ember and Evie came into rescue together and share a sisterly bond. They must be adopted together.Evie is a quiet, easygoing girl with a sweet, gentle nature. She is crate trained, loves affection, and enjoys a calm lifestyle. Evie has a few ongoing care needs: she eats a special GI food and has skin allergies and recurring ear infections. She’s looking for someone willing to maintain her special diet and work closely with their vet to manage her skin and ears long term.If you have room for two sisters, Evie is ready to claim a cozy spot near you—and politely request all the cuddles that come with it.
Read more about Evie
The suggested adoption fee for Evie is $385 Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
9. Ember
Adult · Female · Boston Terrier / Pug / Mixed · 17 mi from Council Bluffs




Ember is a sweet Boston Terrier/Pug mix born on 09/21/2021 who is ready to start her next chapter. At just under five years old, Ember is the perfect blend of playful and mature, with plenty of energy for fun while also being past the puppy stage.Ember and Evie came into rescue together and have a sisterly bond. Due to this bond, they must be adopted together.Ember is a healthy, agile girl who loves toys and playtime. She can be a little timid when meeting new people, but she warms up quickly once she feels comfortable. Ember is also crate trained and settles in well to a routine. As Ember continues settling into foster care, we’ll keep updating her profile as we learn more about her personality, preferences, and all the little things that make her special.
Read more about Ember
The suggested adoption fee for Ember is $475 Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation that is 100% volunteer operated. Adoption donation fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. All dogs adopted through BNBR will have been administered their age appropriate vaccines which may include DHPP, Rabies, Lepto and Bordetella. All dogs will also be adopted out as already altered if of age, for those not of age, a voucher will be provided. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. BNBR does not adopt on a first serve basis. All available dogs are adopted based on their needs to provide the best fit home.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
Adopting a small dog in Council Bluffs
Small dogs suit apartments and smaller homes, are easy to take along, and many live well into their teens.
They still need daily walks, play and training. Small dogs can be fragile, so ask the rescue how they are with young children, who can easily drop or step on them.
Rescues with small dogs near Council Bluffs
- Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ IncOmaha, ne · 6 small dogs above
- Haven Animal Rescue NebraskaOmaha, NE · 2 small dogs above
- Midwest Dog Rescue NetworkBelleuve, NE · 1 small dog above
Questions about adopting small dogs in Council Bluffs
How many small dogs are up for adoption in Council Bluffs?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Council Bluffs, Iowa, have 9 small dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a small dog in Council Bluffs?
The rescues with the most small dogs near Council Bluffs right now are Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ Inc (Omaha, ne), Haven Animal Rescue Nebraska (Omaha, NE) and Midwest Dog Rescue Network (Belleuve, NE). Each dog above has the rescue's phone number and website.
Are small dogs good for apartments?
Often, yes. Many small dogs are happy with a smaller space and short walks, but energy matters more than size: ask the rescue how active the dog is and whether they bark when left alone.
Listings are updated daily. Rescues are responsible for their own listings; a dog may have been adopted since this page was updated.