Battersea is urging potential owners to ‘give a big dog a home’ as new research from the charity reveals that half of Londoners (49%) wouldn’t consider owning a bigger dog, despite many perceiving them as loyal (56%), affectionate (51%) and gentle (47%).
Big dogs in Battersea’s care wait on average 16% longer to find a home, with larger breeds such as German Shepherds, Greyhounds and Huskies regularly overlooked because of assumptions about their nature and how much exercise, training or space they require.
While 1 in 5 (21%) of Londoners believe size is one of the biggest factors influencing a dog’s behaviour, Battersea warns that an animal’s stature has very little to do with their character.
The charity is encouraging potential owners to look beyond size and instead focus on the unique characters and requirements of rescue animals.
Ali Taylor, Head of Animal Behaviour, said: “Over our 165-year history, Battersea has cared for thousands of dogs of all shapes and sizes, and one thing we’ve learned is that each dog is an individual. Sadly, some of our larger dogs can take a little longer to find a home due to misconceptions about their personality and needs.
“Rehoming a dog is all about finding the right match, which is why we take the time to understand both the dog and the owner, helping them start their new life together on the best possible footing. We encourage anyone looking to adopt to chat to rescues like Battersea and choose the right dog for their lifestyle, regardless of size.”
Big dogs currently looking for homes:
Rocky
Nearly seven and still full of zest for life, Cane Corso cross Rocky is a big softie at heart. He loves a game of tug or fetch and is always up for a walk. Despite his size, Rocky is convinced that every lap was made for him and can forget just how big he is when asking for a cuddle! Rocky would be best suited for experienced owners who can give him all the time, enrichment and love he deserves.
Gary
Calm, affectionate and beautifully mannered, seven-year-old Gary is a true gentleman. Life outside kennels is still new to this ex-racer, but he’s taken it all in his stride. He loves a fuss and will happily lean in for cuddles, although he’s equally content pottering about or settling down for a snooze. Gary is a great reminder that an athletic build doesn’t always mean a more energetic dog. He’s simply looking for a slower pace of life, a loving family and plenty of cosy spots to rest.
Peach
Meet sweet Peach! This one-year-old Shepherd cross has energy to spare and a serious love of tennis balls. Clever and enthusiastic, Peach thrives on physical and mental stimulation and would love a private garden where she can zoom around. She’d prefer to be the only dog at home, with plenty of opportunities to make friends on walks. Peach is looking for owners who can continue her training and help her channel her enthusiasm for life.
Knox
Three-year-old Husky Knox is a beautiful, fun-loving boy who has come into his own while spending time on foster. His foster carers say he has settled beautifully into home life, showing just how comfortable and relaxed he can be outside of kennels. He can be a little aloof at first, in typical Husky fashion, but once he’s made friends, he’s very affectionate and gets incredibly excited whenever he sees his people. If you’re looking for a companion who’ll greet you with love and happy Husky ‘awhoos’, Knox could be the one.
Canelo
With a personality as big as his size, three-year-old Akita cross Canelo is always delighted to see people and especially loves cuddles with his favourite humans. Canelo enjoys meeting other dogs too, although his enthusiastic play style can be a little full-on, so he’d like to be the only dog at home while he continues to build his social skills. Whoever gives this boy a chance, will be rewarded with bouncy, loveable and entertaining addition to the family
If you’d like to find out more about rehoming a dog from Battersea, or any of larger-than-life characters mentioned above, please visit: www.battersea.org.uk/rehoming.
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK nat rep consumers (aged 18+). The data was collected between 11.09.2026 – 14.09.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
