Kid-Friendly Dogs for Adoption in Las Cruces, NM: 10 Dogs Good with Children
Rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces? Find dogs near your zip code.
1. Homer
Hello! I’m Homer and I’m a little boy who will grow to be a big Shepherd dog. I’m very smart, happy, and healthy. I’m playful, sweet, and snuggly. I am a confident puppy who meets people easily and I meet other dogs playfully as well. I walk on the leash, love to play toys, and am very happy go lucky. I already sit when asked and I am responsive to direction. I am treat-motivated so my family will enjoy training me and raising me to be a great dog! I’m around five months old now and about 30 pounds. I am up to date on shots, microchipped, and neutered. My adoption fee is $75 and you’re going to get one heckuva puppy for that low price I’ll tell ya that much! Love ya! Homer
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
2. Piper
This sweet and loving girl is in need of a new home. Call or text 575-740-0643 to schedule a time to meet Piper.
In the words of Piper's family:
Piper is a very loving, goofy, high-energy girl and a big cuddly baby. She is 1.5 years old and around 60 lbs. She's spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Piper is house trained.
Read more about Piper
She is friendly with people, including people she doesn't know, and she's loving with her family and children. When guests come over, she gets very excited because she loves people. She may jump up, lick them, and focus all of her excited energy on them at first, but she settles once the initial excitement passes. We've been working on the jumping up on people and she's improving.
Piper is also friendly with other dogs and has lived with small dogs. She can be gentle with them, but she doesn't understand how big she is and has much more energy than the smaller dogs. She wants to play and Piper respects assertive/dominant dogs and submits to their corrections. But if a timid dog doesn't correct Piper she may continue to pester. There has never been aggression involved; it's really an energy and size mismatch in our home because she's big and the other two dogs are small. Piper would love having a playful dog closer to her own size or energy. She hasn't been around cats, so I don't know how she would respond to them. She has never shown any signs of aggression toward people or other animals.
Piper is smart, eager to please, and food motivated. She knows when it's her scheduled time to eat and will sit preemptively for her food to be filled. She knows sit and comes to her name, goes into her crate on command, and enjoys learning and doing tricks for treats. She's crate trained and her adopter will get her crate. Piper has never had an accident in the house or crate.
Her main challenges are really young-dog/high-energy behaviors. She's strong, so she needs someone who is physically comfortable handling a dog her size. She still jumps sometimes when she's excited, although she's improving. She has also liked chewing wood, though her inappropriate chewing has gotten much better as she's gotten older. She has learned what she isn't allowed to chew. She does still love a good stick!
We love her very much, and want to find the right home for her. She's a sweet, affectionate, silly dog who deserves more exercise, attention, play and companionship than she's able to get with us.
Piper hates baths, but does love to play outside when it's raining. She loves walks, hiking, playing catch, toys, running around and getting the zoomies—and then being a giant cuddly baby afterward.
Piper is in need of a loving new home and family. Call or text 575-740-0643 to schedule a time to meet Piper.
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
3. Michael
Hi there! My name is Michael and I’m a cutie patootie black lab puppy mix. I am probably going to be medium sized when I get fully grown but right now I’m only four months old as I was just born in June. I’m playful, love my doggie friends, and snuggly when we finish playtime, and am just an all around great little pupperoni! I’ve already been neutered and am up to date on vaccinations too. There’s even a microchip in me already! I do funny and silly things to keep us entertained like barking at my reflection in the mirror and chasing down toys you throw for me. My big ears flop all around when I run and chase and it is pretty cute! My adoption fee is only $75 and for that you get a healthy, happy, vaccinated and fixed puppy dog with a playful and fun attitude. See you soon! Love, Michael
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
4. Marie
Well here you are, finally! I’ve been waiting all my life for you! Four whole months! Ha ha ha My name is Marie and I’m a lab mix puppy girl who is going to make her family very happy! I’m cute, fun, playful, happy, very affectionate, smart, and great with people and dogs alike. I have all my vaccinations, I’m spayed, plus I got a microchip too. I am so so so excited to be part of my furever family and I hope it happens today! Come meet me so we can fall in love. It’ll be easy, pinky swear! My adoption fee is $75. Let’s get the rest of our lives started. Love Marie
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
5. Janet
Hi there! My name is Janet and I’m a cutie patootie black lab puppy mix. I am probably going to be medium sized when I get fully grown but right now I’m only four months old as I was just born in June. I’m playful, love my doggie friends, very cuddly, and am just an all around great little pupperoni! I’ve already been spayed, have a microchip, and am up to date on vaccinations too. I love to smile and snuggle – those are two of my favorite things! Have a lap? I’ll crawl into it. Have hands? Let’s get those hands petting my sleek black fur. I am a lovergirl through and through! My adoption fee is only $75 and for that you get a healthy, happy, vaccinated and fixed puppy girl with a playful and snuggly side. See you soon! Love, Janet
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
6. Chip
Hello there! I’m Chip, Chipperdoodle, Chippy, Chip-Chip, you name it, I come to it. Call me whatever you like but don’t call me late for our hike, water day, or whatever good time we’re going to have when we’re family! Do you like adventures? Me too. I’m just a baby puppy so I really haven’t had many yet but I think it would be super fun to be in an active family who loves loves loves their dog. I was born in mid May, am already neutered, up to date on shots and microchipped. My adoption fee is $75. I’m very lovable, happy, friendly, well adjusted, and snuggly. I listen well; you can teach me all you know. Make sure to have treats in your pocket and we’ll get me raised up right. Who’s ready to make me part of their family? I won’t let you down! Love, Chip
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
7. Lady
Lady is a friendly, happy, beautiful Labrador Retriever and she needs a new home. Lady is house trained, great with kids and dogs, and she is a wonderful dog. Meet Lady by getting in touch with Paul at (714) 824-9342. She is a great dog looking for a great home!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- House-trained
8. Bear
Hi, I’m Bear! I’m just a baby puppy so I am a moldable piece of clay that you can shape and nurture into exactly the type of dog you want. I bet you want a good listener, I will do anything for a treat. Maybe you want a snuggly puppy, I still fit in your lap! I meet people and dogs in a friendly way and I’m just a happy lover boy. I was born in mid May, am already neutered, up to date on shots and microchipped. My adoption fee is $75. The most important thing is that I land in a family who loves loves loves their dog. Who’s ready to make me part of their family? I won’t let you down! Love, Bear
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
9. Sage
Heyy there, how are ya? My name is Sage and I’m a cutie patootie black lab puppy mix girl. I am probably going to be medium sized when I get fully grown but right now I’m only four months old as I was just born in June. I’m playful, love my doggie friends, very cuddly, and am just an all around great little pupperoni! I’ve already been spayed, have a microchip, and am up to date on vaccinations too. I love to snuggle and play, play and snuggle, repeat repeat repeat! Have a lap? I’ll crawl into it. Have hands? Let’s get those hands petting my sleek black fur. I am a lovergirl through and through! My adoption fee is only $75 and for that you get a healthy, happy, vaccinated and fixed girl with a playful and snuggly side. Come meet me! Love, Sage
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
10. Ozzy
Hi there! My name is Ozzy. I'm probably a Staffie/Boxer mix and we think I'm going to be large sized and totally awesome when I get bigger. Right now I'm seven months old and around 45 pounds. I'm already a sturdy and agile puppy at such a young age. I romp and play and plop. My muscles are developing nicely. Okay, so that's the story about my physique and why I'm so good looking and beautiful.
Read more about Ozzy
Here's some about my play style. I LOVE TO PLAY! I am an excellent roommate with dogs at Desert Haven and I learn so much from having doggie friends. I share food, toys, and lounge spots. I think it would be super duper to join a family with a resident dog or dogs. Playtimes are the best, siestas together are gold. Being with dogs is my favorite!
Plus, other puppies and dogs make good role models. I can learn how to be a great puppy and an even better dog from dog friends. Because, truth be told, I'm a Nervous Nelly. Ugh, do they have a more masculine name for the phenomenon of being shy and inexperienced? How about Nervous Ned; that's better. So, I'm a Nervous Ned! In a nutshell, what I am is a bit of a scaredy-cat who approaches life cautiously and then when I have good experiences I learn that things aren't so scary after all.
For good reason. You try starting out life in the streets and growing up without people around then being rescued and all of a sudden all the people want to get to know you and be with you! It's been a little nerve-wracking for me if I'm being honest.
First they taught me what a leash was all about. Then once I got used to being around the leash then they wanted me to wear it and go for walks while I was at the end of it! If it weren't for hot dogs and helpful doggie roommates, I wouldn't even be close to where I am today. Today, I love going for walks with my doggie friends, I love playtimes at Playland, and I explore the agility equipment. I love having challenges set up for me like, Hey Ozzy here's a new person for you to meet! And then I can learn to be less afraid each time. I'm learning and growing and I'm thankful to the volunteers at Desert Haven and my good buddies for showing me patience and love.
My birthday is October 31, 2025 so I'm a Halloween baby. In this season of my life I'd probably be dressed up as a Chicken bawk bawk. But as I learn and grow and am given more and more positive puppy experiences, next Halloween I bet I can dress up as Braveheart!
My family will be the most important part of my journey. Will you be my family? Come meet me and let's find out.
Love, Ozzy
P.S. I'm healthy, neutered, and up to date on my shots. I also have a microchip. My adoption fee is $75 and here is the link to the adoption application
https://www.deserthavenanimalrescue.org/
P.P.S. I love you!
- Good with kids
- Good with dogs
- Good with cats
- House-trained
Adopting a dog with children in Las Cruces
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 Las Cruces
- Sierra County Humane SocietyWilliamsburg, NM · 10 kid-friendly dogs above
Questions about adopting kid-friendly dogs in Las Cruces
How many kid-friendly dogs are up for adoption in Las Cruces?
As of November 4, 2026, rescues and shelters within 100 miles of Las Cruces, New Mexico, have 10 kid-friendly dogs up for adoption. The list is updated every day.
Where can I adopt a kid-friendly dog in Las Cruces?
The rescues with the most kid-friendly dogs near Las Cruces right now are Sierra County Humane Society (Williamsburg, NM). 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.