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Demetrius

Unknown · Adult · 5 years

A dog in need of a safe guide! Demetrius, a mixed-breed dog from hunting stock, medium to large size, born around August 2021 and abandoned in the summer of 2024. Demetrius is a dog with a complex nature, marked by a difficult past that has made him worried, nervous, and distrustful in certain situations. Despite this, there is a dog inside him who wants to trust, but he needs the right timing and a balanced guide. When someone approaches his crate, he often barks or growls: it's his way of saying he is scared and doesn't know how to handle his emotions. He doesn't run away or avoid: he stays there, tense, trying to figure out what will happen. With other dogs in the yard, he tends to show himself as dominant and unbalanced. All it takes is putting on the leash for his attitude to change completely. As soon as he understands that they are going out, Demetrius transforms: he wants to go outside, accepts the presence of the human, remains a bit tense for the first few minutes, then relaxes, allows himself to be handled, enjoys the walk, and shows a more cooperative and available side. This shows how much the shelter environment stresses him and how, in the hands of a competent and calm person, he can regain security. Demetrius is looking for an experienced, patient, and consistent person; preferably a home without other animals (not even cats); a guide able to offer him routine, stability, and respectful approaches; someone who can see beyond his signs of discomfort and recognize the dog he can become. With the right path and proper management, Demetrius can learn to truly trust and find his balance. Behind his gaze is a dog no one has ever really understood and now is waiting only for the right person: not perfect, but capable of listening to him. If you feel you can offer him the peace and stability he has never had, Demetrius is waiting for you.

IT·Show original

Un cane che ha bisogno di una guida sicura! Demetrius, meticcio derivato caccia, taglia medio grande, nascita presunta agosto 2021 ed abbandonato nell’estate del 2024. Demetrius è un cane dall’animo complesso, segnato da un vissuto difficile che lo ha reso preoccupato, nervoso e diffidente in alcune situazioni. Nonostante questo, dentro di lui c’è un cane che desidera fidarsi, ma che ha bisogno dei tempi giusti e di una guida equilibrata. Quando ci si avvicina al suo box, spesso abbaia o ringhia: è il suo modo di dire che ha paura e non sa come gestire le emozioni. Non scappa, non evita: sta lì, in tensione, cercando di capire cosa succederà. Con gli altri cani, in recinto, tende a mostrarsi dominante e poco equilibrato. Basta mettere il guinzaglio per far si che il suo atteggiamento cambi completamente. Appena capisce che si esce, Demetrius si trasforma: vuole andare fuori, accetta la presenza dell’umano, rimane un po’ teso nei primi minuti, poi si rilassa, si lascia manipolare, apprezza la passeggiata, e mostra un lato più collaborativo e disponibile. Questo dimostra quanto l’ambiente del canile lo stressi e quanto invece, in mano a una persona competente e calma, lui possa ritrovare sicurezza. Demetrius cerca una persona esperta, paziente e coerente; preferibilmente una casa senza altri animali (nemmeno gatti); una guida in grado di offrirgli routine, stabilità e approcci rispettosi; qualcuno che sappia vedere oltre i suoi segnali di disagio e cogliere il cane che può diventare. Con il giusto percorso e una gestione adeguata, Demetrius può imparare a fidarsi davvero e trovare un suo equilibrio. Dietro il suo sguardo c’è un cane che nessuno ha mai davvero capito e che ora aspetta solo la persona giusta: non perfetta, ma capace di ascoltarlo. Se senti di potergli offrire la serenità e la stabilità che non ha mai avuto, Demetrius ti sta aspettando.

Size
Medium
Age
Adult · 5 years
Location
🇮🇹Roma
Shelter
Associazione ALFA
Living with Demetrius
  • Vaccinated
  • Neutered
  • Microchipped
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Associazione ALFA · Roma

Listed 2 months ago

Bringing Demetrius home

What you'll need for Demetrius in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

    View on Amazon
    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

    View on Amazon
    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

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About Demetrius

What life with Demetrius looks like

Demetrius is a medium-sized adult dog waiting at Associazione ALFA in Roma.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. Two reasonable walks a day plus play time is usually enough. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇮🇹Adopting from Italy

Italian canili require adopters to sign a stewardship contract (affido) and may retain the right to verify the animal's wellbeing post-adoption. Animals are chipped and sterilized before leaving (Legge 281/91). Public canili rifugio typically waive adoption fees.

Roma, Italy browse more dogs in Italy.

Frequently asked

Adopting Demetrius, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Demetrius?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Associazione ALFA handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Demetrius on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Demetrius if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Associazione ALFA will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Demetrius already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Demetrius isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Associazione ALFA early rather than rehoming privately; they know Demetrius and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (IT). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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Adopt Demetrius — 5yo Mixed breed in Roma | TailHarbor