10 Dogs You Can Adopt Instead of a Labubu
By: Lizz CaputoLabubus are trending, but they won’t snuggle or play fetch like these 10 adoptable dogs. Figo Pet Insurance helps you find your next BFF today; all the personality, zero plastic.
Labubus are the latest 'it' creature your cousin with the $300 tote and obsession with niche designer toys can’t stop raving about. But you? You want something with a heartbeat. Something that licks your face when you cry and barks at ghosts at 3 a.m. Welcome to the ultimate anti-consumer trend: real, living, wonderfully weird dogs.
Wait, what is a Labubu?
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok, Instagram, or the desk of a Chronically Online™ coworker lately, you’ve probably seen one: a bug-eyed, snaggle-toothed, anthropomorphic gremlin clutched in someone’s meticulously manicured hand.
That’s a Labubu—one of the breakout characters from the Hong Kong-based toy collective POP MART, known for their blind-box designer vinyl figurines that blend cute, creepy, and oddly couture.
Labubu, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, has existed for over a decade now, inspired by the artist's childhood years in the Netherlands. And suddenly they’re everywhere. Limited drops, resale markups, and influencer hype have turned these $15 vinyl toys into $150+ status symbols.
They’re cute. They’re weird. They look great on a shelf.
But they’re not going to greet you at the door. Or cuddle up to you on the couch. Or radically change your daily life.
These dogs will.
Real talk before you adopt
We love a cultural moment, and if Labubus bring you joy? No shade! But while collectibles can collect dust on shelves, real dogs fill homes with love, laughter, and companionship that’s second to none.
That said, adopting a dog is no impulse buy. It’s often a 10–15+ year emotional and financial commitment. Research, reflect, and be brutally honest with yourself about your lifestyle and readiness. And when you’re ready, don’t shop the latest designer trends. Adopt a pet that will be with you for a lifetime.
Explore your local shelters.
Check breed-specific rescues.
Open your heart to the underdogs.
Your next best friend might not come in a box, but they're waiting at your local shelter with ears too big, teeth a little crooked, and years of loyalty to give.
Note: These dogs are brought to you by our friends at PetPlace using their adoptable pet database. Some of these pups may find their forever homes fast (and honestly, we love that for them). If the dog that caught your eye has already been adopted, don’t worry—there are hundreds more just as deserving, just as quirky, and just as ready to be your next great love. Check with one of the shelters or rescues below and give another sweet soul a second chance.
1. Garth: The Squishy-Faced Soulmate
📍 Angel City Pit Bulls – Los Angeles, CA
Garth has a face like a velvet potato and the heart of a therapy dog. He’s chill, snuggly, and amazing with kids. A literal softie. A Labubu might look weird-cute. Garth just is.
2. Aqua: Zoomie Queen of Houston
📍 Best Friends Animal Society – Houston, TX
Half Aussie, half Collie, and 100% land rocket. Aqua is potty trained, dog-friendly, and eager to learn. She’s shy at first, but food wins her over fast. Don’t let her get scooped up by someone else just because you were busy chasing limited-edition plastic.
3. Willow: The Whiskery Sidekick
📍 MCACC West Valley Animal Care Center – Phoenix, AZ
Forget the frozen smile of a Labubu. Willow’s got a real grin and the whiskers to prove it. This scruffy Border Terrier mix is all charisma and character, with a wiry coat and expressive, honey-colored eyes. Those eager expressions bring the kind of joy no collectible ever could. If you’re looking for something rare, limited-edition, and actually alive, Willow’s your girl.
4. Maurice: Eyebrows of Judgment
📍 Los Angeles Animal Services – South LA Shelter
Chihuahuas like Maurice often get passed over—especially seniors. Which makes zero sense. He’s loyal, low-maintenance, and happiest when wrapped in a blanket. A Labubu might be trendy, but Maurice is timeless.
5. Frito: The Goofy Goober
📍 Pennsylvania SPCA – Philadelphia, PA
Frito is a senior pit mix who loves people, plays hard, and snuggles harder. Still working on house training, still crushing the charm game. If you're looking for a dog who brings the energy and the emotional support, skip the shelf toys.
6. Tracy: Blue-Eyed Beauty
📍 PAWS Chicago – Chicago, IL
Husky-mix Tracy doesn’t do idle. She thrives on puzzles, training, and someone who respects her mental game. She’s already mastered the basics. Now she’s waiting for someone who sees her brilliance. Labubu who?
7. Boyardee: The Bat-Eared Goblin Prince
📍 Bideawee – New York, NY
Tiny. Snuggly. A little dramatic. Boyardee is a Texas transplant who prefers laps to kennels and cuddles to tough guy vibes. He’s not here to compete with your toy collection—he’s here to replace it. *Chef's kiss*
8. Koko: The Ice Queen
📍 Los Angeles Animal Services – South LA Shelter
Koko is a senior Husky mix with all the beauty and brains that come standard to the breed. Quiet, dignified, and still down for a stroll. She's not trying to go viral; she'd rather just go home.
9. Pogo: Legs for Days
📍 The Anti-Cruelty Society – Chicago, IL
Pogo’s got eyeliner, energy, and feelings. He’ll sprint after a tennis ball like his life depends on it, then sit quietly and reflect on the meaning of life. He’s everything a designer doll wants to be.
10. Snuffleupagus: Grandpa in a Dog Suit
📍 Maricopa County Animal Care & Control – Phoenix, AZ
Senior Maltese/Shih Tzu mix. Loves attention. Settles on benches. Occasionally gets the zoomies. Wears a fleece hoodie like it’s couture. Snuffleupagus doesn’t need branding. He is the brand.
Learn more about Snuffleupagus
One last thing
We’re all susceptible to trends. That’s part of the fun. Labubus are weird, cool, collectible—truly clever pieces of art. Credit where it’s due: the design is sharp, and the cultural moment is real.
But if you’re looking for something deeper, something that doesn’t sit on a shelf and collect dust, consider this: shelters across the country are at a breaking point. They’re more overcrowded than they’ve ever been. Good dogs are waiting. Not because they’re broken or flawed, but because the system is overwhelmed and under-resourced.
If you want a living, breathing companion to spoil—one that will actually love you back—go visit your local shelter. You could change a dog’s entire life, and they'll probably change yours too.
Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.
