Yorkshire Terrier Dogs Available for Adoption in Palo Alto, California

* Interested in adopting? Please read the dog’s full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an application at www.dpsrescue.org.
All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.Adoption fee: $750
Nano: Tiny Dog, Giant Heart

At just 6 pounds, Nano may be little enough to fit in your tote bag, but his personality is anything but small. This adorable 4 year old Yorkie mix came to us from the shelter shy, shaky, and unsure of the world around him. Fast forward just a couple of weeks, and Nano has blossomed into the sweetest tiny sidekick imaginable — equal parts cuddly lap dog, curious explorer, and treat-motivated genius.

He’s the kind of dog who quietly steals your heart before you even realize it happened. One minute he’s independently making his rounds between his many cozy beds around the house, and the next he’s standing on his hind legs asking for a hug with the tiniest little whines that sound suspiciously like “I love you.”

Daily Life with Nano

Nano thrives on routine and has his little schedule completely mastered. His day starts around 6:45am with a morning walk, followed by breakfast and then some quality lounging time while his foster works from home. He rotates between beds in the office, living room, dining room, and bedroom like a tiny king making inspections of his kingdom. Sometimes he disappears entirely, only to be discovered tucked into a bed somewhere, cozied up and snoozing.

He enjoys several walks throughout the day and absolutely lights up when he sees the leash come out. Nano’s excitement is next-level — he does tiny kangaroo hops straight into the air when walk time arrives. Despite his small size, he’s surprisingly adventurous and even completed most of a 5-mile walk before happily riding the rest of the way in a backpack like the little VIP he is.

At night, Nano puts himself to bed. Truly. After his final potty walk, he’ll hang out briefly in the living room before quietly wandering into the bedroom and curling up inside his soft crate all on his own. It’s impossibly cute.

Personality

Nano is the perfect blend of affectionate and independent. He loves cuddling, loves laps, and gives the most heart-melting hugs, but he’s also perfectly content entertaining himself nearby or lounging solo in one of his favorite spots around the house.

Once he trusts you, his affectionate side absolutely shines. He leans his tiny body against you when sitting in your lap and melts into cuddles when you baby-talk him. Tell him he’s a “good boy” or a “wittle baby,” and his tail starts wagging, his ears go back, and he turns into a puddle of happiness.

He’s also incredibly smart and eager to please. In less than two weeks, he mastered commands like “sit,” “wait,” “bed,” and “crate.” He genuinely enjoys learning and responds beautifully to positive reinforcement and treats. Nano would thrive with someone excited to continue building his confidence and teaching him new things.

Social Life

Nano can initially be cautious around new dogs and unfamiliar situations, especially larger dogs or busy environments. He tends to avoid conflict rather than seek it out, often choosing to move away if another dog gets too close on walks.

That said, once given a little time, he settles in beautifully. When introduced to a gentle 60-pound Lab, Nano started out barking nervously but quickly relaxed, sniffed politely, and peacefully shared space together.

With people, Nano is polite and observant. He’s happy to greet guests with a sniff and then calmly decide whether they’re worthy of his affection — or whether they might have snacks. If food is involved, Nano becomes everyone’s best friend.

Training and Home Manners

Nano is fully housetrained and crate trained. He’s had only one accident in foster care, and it happened right near the door when he was trying his best to hold it. He has zero destructive habits — no chewing, digging, or mischief-making. Honestly, for such a tiny dog, he has incredibly impressive manners.

He’s generally very quiet, too. He may grumble softly when surprised or unsure, but he rarely barks. The main thing he complains about is car rides, where he tends to whine no matter where he’s sitting.

Nano has a very low-shedding coat; his foster hasn't noticed any fur around the house at all. He may not be an option for those who need a hypoallergenic dog, but he's not going to leave hair all over your couch either!

Why We Love Him

There’s something incredibly special about earning Nano’s trust. Watching this tiny, timid shelter dog discover comfort, safety, and love has been magical.

And once you’re in his inner circle? You get the full Nano experience: kangaroo jumps at leash time, tiny hugs on your lap, dramatic cuddling sessions, and the joy of discovering him randomly tucked into his crate in the middle of the afternoon because apparently he decided it was nap o’clock.

Nano may be teeny tiny, but the amount of love packed into this little guy is absolutely enormous.

The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as Yorkie, is a small and glamorous toy dog breed known for its long, flowing coat and spirited personality. Originating from England, these affectionate and intelligent dogs make wonderful companions for individuals and families alike. With a weight of around 7 pounds, Yorkies are portable and adaptable, thriving in both city apartments and rural settings. Despite their small size, they possess a bold and confident nature, always ready for fun and adventure.

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was incorporated in 2001. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs, cats and even...