Large Dogs for Adoption in Dale City, VA: 8 Big Dogs Looking for a Home

Lucky is everything you could want in a companion: sweet, affectionate, easygoing, and happiest when she’s with her people. Her foster describes her as an absolute dream. She’s house-trained, well-mannered, walks nicely on a leash without pulling, rides calmly in the car, and is comfortable staying in her own space when her person leaves. She learns quickly, comes when called, and sits politely for treats without jumping or grabbing.

This girl is a world-class snuggler! She loves sleeping under the covers with her head on your shoulder, giving kisses, leaning into your hands for affection, and rolling over for belly rubs. She’ll happily follow you from room to room just to be near you. When she’s not cuddling, she enjoys walks, chasing balls and squeaky toys, and spending time with her dog buddies. She has a playful side but settles down nicely and is content to relax by your side.

Lucky is currently living with another dog and gets along well with canine companions. She’s curious and appropriate when meeting new dogs, and her easygoing nature could make her a wonderful addition to a home with another friendly dog. She could also thrive as your one and only, soaking up all the love. Her history with cats is unknown, and while she hasn’t been formally tested with children, we believe she could do well with kind, respectful kids.

After losing the family she knew, Lucky deserves a home where she’ll feel safe, loved, and included. If you’re looking for a gentle, affectionate best friend who will happily share your couch, your bed, and pretty much your entire day, Lucky may be your girl!

Apply today!

BREED ESTIMATE: Boxer/Bully Mix
GENDER: Female
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: ~ 63 lbs
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 2-2.5 years old
COAT TYPE: short
ADOPTION FEE: $425
OTHER INFO: utd on shots/spayed/microchipped
LOCATION: Ft. Mill, SC - Coming to DC metro on 11/7

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

When it’s time to relax, he feels most comfortable in a fenced backyard where he can safely enjoy some fresh air and outdoor time.
If you’re looking for a devoted, affectionate companion who wants to be included in family life, Brodie could be just the boy you’ve been waiting for! He’s ready to find a loving forever home where he can give and receive all the love his heart has to offer.

Pig ears are another favorite when he’s in the mood for a good chew. He’s made wonderful progress with leash walking and isn’t bothered by cars, bikes, or motorcycles. People, however, are VERY exciting! Blue loves seeing everyone and may announce his enthusiasm with an enthusiastic bark.
Despite his exuberance on walks, Blue is calm and friendly when visiting public places and has enjoyed several successful outings to local businesses. He also rides well in the car, although he needs to be safely restrained because he’d much rather climb up front to be closer to his foster mom! He’s crate-trained, but he’s also well-behaved in the house and is trusted to sleep and stay home without being crated.
Blue is a big, lovable bundle of potential! He’ll thrive with a family ready to provide consistent training, appropriate outlets for his energy, and plenty of opportunities to explore the world with his people. In return, you’ll get a friendly, playful companion who brings a whole lot of joy wherever he goes.
Could Blue be the big-hearted boy you’ve been waiting for?

Her foster mom, Cindy, has done an amazing job nursing her back to health and teaching her house manners. Ivy has gained more than 15 pounds and, while she still has more weight to gain, she finally looks like the healthy, happy dog she was meant to be.

Today, Ivy is a completely different dog. She is house-trained, uses a dog door like a pro, and is surprisingly calm and well-behaved in the house. Most of the time, she is either relaxing or entertaining herself with one of her many toys. She absolutely loves toys and will happily destroy a stuffed animal, so her new family should be prepared to keep a good supply on hand.

Ivy loves other dogs and has done well with every dog she has met, both at home and out on walks, hikes, and trips to the dog park. She loves to play, run, wrestle, and play tug, and she has a great time with her foster sister Libby. She can bark excitedly when she sees another dog, but it is always friendly. She has also been wonderful at the dog park, where she loves meeting both people and dogs.

Ivy is great with people and kids too. She will bark when someone comes to the door or fence, but she is friendly once people come inside. She is incredibly affectionate and wants to be wherever her people are. She is a loyal girl who has bonded closely with her foster mom and loves nothing more than being a couch and TV-watching partner.

She is also a great activity partner. Ivy loves walking, running, and being outside, and she would happily join her family for hikes, adventures, and just about anything else. She enjoys playing in the yard but is generally pretty calm once she is back inside.

FOSTER MOM UPDATE - 10/28/26

"Ivy is probably the most affectionate dog I’ve ever had. She will follow you around the house. All she wants to do is sit by you and be petted. When we first took her in she had no manners and had never been in a house. She has certainly acclimated to home life and has turned out to be a wonderful dog and a wonderful companion. She is very special. My husband absolutely loves her so does everyone who meets her. I think she really would love a companion dog that has a similar energy level as her. She absolutely loves to play and will entertain herself all day playing with Libby.

Ivy is the most affectionate dog we’ve ever had or fostered. She just wants to be with you! She’s a great couch companion and TV watcher, sleeps soundly through the night, and loves belly rubs and her toys. She’s calm in the house when she’s not playing with my dog.

Once she settled in, Ivy was great in the house. She’s completely potty trained, uses the doggy door, and isn’t destructive. She does love to steal socks, though! She’s also very food motivated, which makes her easy to train, but she’s a counter surfer, so keep food out of reach.

Ivy came to us at 32 pounds and now weighs 50. She LOVES walks and hikes, goes to the dog park regularly, and plays wonderfully with other dogs. She’s a great car rider and adventure companion. She’s delightful, goofy, and quirky, and everyone who meets her loves her.

An active family and a playful dog with a similar energy level would be ideal. Ivy and my dog, Libby, have become best friends, and having another dog could help her learn a new routine. She learns quickly and needs daily exercise.

Her leash skills are still a work in progress. She

Her only real escape was when kind neighbors would bring her over for playdates with their young dog. Sadie LOVED it. The two dogs would run and play together, and those playdates were her only opportunity to experience freedom, companionship, and what it felt like to simply be a dog. Her neighbors saw how much she needed a better life and advocated for her until they were able to get her into rescue.

Today, Sadie is a very different dog and is thriving in her foster home. She is a sweet, gentle “full-figured” girl who is discovering all the comforts of home. She is a total love bug who wants to be as close to her people as possible. She follows her foster mom everywhere, happily flops over for belly rubs, and wags her big tail whenever she talks to her. Her foster mom says Sadie “does not have a mean bone in her body.”

Sadie is great with other dogs and clearly enjoys having a canine companion. She and her foster sister, Solo, are very comfortable together and love exploring the backyard and chasing toys. She could live with another dog or as an only dog, although her foster mom thinks she really enjoys having a pup buddy in her new home.

Sadie is potty trained and has good house manners. She enjoys car rides, and since she's trimming down, she can get in on her own now. She takes treats and pills gently and has adapted well to home life. New things and loud noises can make her a little nervous, but she recovers well and continues to gain confidence.

FOSTER MOM UPDATE - 10/27/26

"Sadie is the happiest, most well-adjusted dog we've ever fostered. She wants nothing more than to be near her people. She’s affectionate, greets everyone happily, is house-trained, sleeps through the night, and is comfortable staying home alone. She gets along well with other dogs and loves walks, exploring the backyard, and playing with toys."

Sadie still needs to lose about 12–15 pounds after years of limited exercise and an inconsistent diet. An active family ready to give her the exercise, companionship, and love she deserves is the best match.

After spending years with very little freedom, companionship, or attention, Sadie is finally getting to experience what life should have been all along. She is safe, loved, making friends, and learning that home is a pretty wonderful place to be.

Sadie has found her groove, and this is only the beginning. Now she just needs a forever family to show her what the rest of her life can look like.

Apply today!

BREED ESTIMATE: Great Pyrenees/Pointer Mix
GENDER: Female
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 84 lbs (should be closer to 70lbs)
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~3 to 4 years old
COAT TYPE: Medium
ADOPTION FEE: $425
OTHER INFO: UTD on shots/spayed/microchipped
LOCATION: Vienna, VA

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

Boomer came to the DC metro area at the beginning of summer and has been fostered locally, living as an only dog. His foster parents live an active life, and he’s proven to be an adventure buddy extraordinaire. He loves getting out to explore - hiking, riding in the car, going to wineries, hanging at cookouts, or pretty much anywhere his people are headed. He's a dream in the car: quiet, relaxed, and happy to go along for the ride.

He's also wonderful with all people and does great at social gatherings. Boomer is friendly, affectionate, and surprisingly chill for a young pup. He enjoys meeting people and soaking up attention without needing to be the center of the party. At home, he's equally happy curling up on a blanket or pillow, getting head and belly rubs, or relaxing near his people after a good walk. And while he may look like a bit of a tank, his foster family has discovered what a gentle and loving boy he really is.

Boomer has great house manners, is fully housetrained, and is comfortable in his crate, where he often chooses to rest on his own. He has earned free-roam privileges in his foster home and sleeps quietly through the night. He's also a very quiet dog, though you may occasionally hear his signature snore when he's completely relaxed.

Boomer enjoys his daily walks and benefits from regular exercise. A trainer has worked with him on leash skills, and he's made good progress, although he can still pull at times and get excited meeting new dogs on leash. Because he's a strong boy, he'll do best with a confident handler who will continue providing structure and training. He responds very well to redirection.

When it comes to other dogs, Boomer can be selective. He has successfully lived with another dog, and the two became good friends after a gradual introduction. He seems to do particularly well with smaller dogs, but a proper introduction is important to make sure everyone is a good match. He hasn't shown much interest in toys yet, so play is still a work in progress.

Boomer has come a long way from the night he showed up looking for help. He's healthy, neutered, microchipped, and ready for his forever home. Whether you're looking for a hiking buddy, road-trip companion, winery and cookout plus-one, or simply a sweet dog to hang out with at home, Boomer may be your guy.

Apply today!

BREED ESTIMATE: Bulldog/Bully Mix
GENDER: Male
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 54 lbs
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 2 years old
COAT TYPE: short coat
ADOPTION FEE: $425
VET INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped
LOCATION: Ellicott City, MD

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

Like many neglected dogs, MJ is carrying about 20 extra pounds. She had been overfed, under-exercised, and simply existed in the background. But that's all changing now. Since arriving in rescue, MJ has started her wellness journey with Kim. She's enjoying regular walks, a healthier diet, and lots of encouragement as she works toward a healthier weight.

We checked in with Kim for an update:

"This dog is such a special girl. She's incredibly sweet, has a big, happy personality, and loves everyone she meets. She makes friends wherever she goes.

MJ is one of the most affectionate dogs I've ever met. Sometimes I swear she's half human! She's very smart, too, and we've already discovered she knows several commands. She has wonderful house manners, and I haven't felt the need to crate her. She and my dog, Penny, became fast friends and are often found snuggled up together.

She's very gentle and takes treats politely. She is also incredibly expressive and always finds a way to let you know exactly what she's thinking, usually that she'd like to be a little closer to her people! At night, she sleeps right beside you in bed as if she's always belonged there. If you're looking for a dog that wants to be your constant companion, MJ is your girl. If you don't want a dog in your bed...well, she's probably not the dog for you!

We've already worked up to a half-mile walk one evening and three-quarters of a mile the next morning, and she did great. She is strong on leash and likes to pull, so we're working on that, and she's making progress every day."

Every day, MJ is becoming happier, healthier, and more active. She is embracing the love, attention, and life she's always deserved. We can't wait to see this wonderful girl continue to blossom in her forever home.

BREED ESTIMATE: Lab Mix
GENDER: Female
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 77 lbs (should be 55-60lbs)
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 6 to 7 years old
COAT TYPE: Short
ADOPTION FEE: $425
OTHER INFO: UTD on shots/spayed/microchipped
LOCATION: Leesburg VA

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

He's looking for a family that will appreciate his playful spirit, continue his training, and make him a cherished member of the household.
Could Zane be the missing piece of your family? He can't wait to meet you!