How likely is it to find a Maltipoo or Maltese at a local shelter?

Mason is such a cutie! I think a Morkie is a very reasonable guess based on his appearance. It's also possible that he may have some Miniature Schnauzer in him, especially with his face and beard. He is definitely a handsome guy either way! If you want to know for sure what breed (or breed mix) he is, you can have a DNA test done to determine this. Wisdom Panel is a reputable company that can do this with either a cheek swab, or a blood sample taken by your vet - www.wisdompanel.com

Adopting a new dog is so much fun! Whenever bringing a new dog into the home, it should be done slowly with the existing animals already there to make the transition smoothly. The new dog should be kept separated from the other animals when home alone to avoid any problems, and their interactions should be monitored when you are home so you can separate them at any problem. I'm not sure if you have any additional animals in the home, but if you have cats for example, it's normal they will hiss at the dog. Do not allow them to swipe at the dog, separating them right away if you notice the cat getting upset. Also do not allow the dog to chase the cats. If you don't have any other animals in your home, then just be patient with the dog as it acclimates to his new house. Moving into a new home can be stressful, and some dogs may not eat or drink at first. This will pass in time. Shelter dogs should be taken care of just like any other dog: Fed twice a day, make sure they are up to date on their vaccines, flea and deworming treatments, and feed them a high quality dog food :-)

You would need to contact a shelter near you, or try and find a local rescue. There are many breed specific rescues out there, so doing a google search for the specific breed or coloration you want may turn up some results. Many of these rescues are willing to ship or drive pets if they are not currently in your area.

What a cutie. My guess would be pit bull mix, with a combo of at least 3-4 breeds. If you'd like to know his background there are genetic tests you can do for fun. Embark and Wisdom Panel are both companies that offer this service. Enjoy your new addition!

I'm very sorry you recently lost your Golden! Please accept my condolences for your loss. Actually mix breed dogs can be healthier than purebred dogs. Purebred dogs can be prone to serious health diseases due to the breeding. For example, Goldens are prone to cancer. A mix breed will have a mix of genes, and may not be as likely to suffer from heritable diseases. I hope this helps!

Talk to the shelters about your situation.. Typically in an emergency situation, shelters are understanding as you are not alone and there will be several people in your shoes. Some shelters have volunteer vets that provide vaccine there.

Many shelters do neuter dogs before placing them up for adoption. As long as they are old enough, usually 3-4 months old they can be neutered. Due to the cost some rescues and shelters don't do this until they are adopted. Check around your area and you may find ones up for adoption that are already neutered. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.