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Alf

American Bully · Male

Past: abandoned after the owner was unable to cope. Pros: playful; mischievous; needs an active lifestyle; bonds very strongly; knows how to make himself understood. Cons: fearful; possible panic biter; runs away; bonds very strongly. Alf remains terrified of the shelter and refuses all contact. We are working on it. 25.05: Alf goes out with people he trusts. 12.06.26: Alf stays on his guard but appreciates our presence and outings to the park, where he can let off steam. I was told I need to show my best side to find my family ☺️ So honestly, if this were a sprint competition or a forest hike, I'd already be on the podium. I'm a dog full of energy, always ready for an adventure. Hiking? Running? A long walk? Ball games? Count on me! I have a built-in engine and I love to burn off energy, but new things scare me. I should also confess one little thing: I can be a real coward. When I'm very scared or feel overwhelmed by stress, I may even show my teeth. It's not because I'm mean, it's just my clumsy way of saying, "Help, I'm far too scared!" If I'm cornered, I'll bolt first, that's my first reflex. Arriving at the shelter was a real nightmare for me, I was terrified 🥺. Fortunately, the volunteers did not abandon me. They gave me time, spoke to me softly, and showed me that humans can be kind. Today, I happily go for walks with those I trust, and little by little I'm discovering that cuddles and companionship aren't so bad after all. I'm looking for a family who will understand that you don't become brave in the snap of a finger. I need calm, patience, kindness... and a bit of humor, because there will surely be moments when I play the big sensitive one. In return, I promise you a loyal, funny, athletic and affectionate companion who will move forward beside you at his own pace, because every small victory will be a huge source of pride, and I can assure you they will taste especially sweet. So, if you believe the most beautiful stories are those that take time to write themselves, come and meet me. I may not jump straight into your arms... but if you win my heart, it will be forever ♥️. Breed history: 40 to 58 cm tall, 20 to 50 kg for XL; originally from the United States; life expectancy 10 years; mastiff type; very affectionate; extremely loyal; handles being alone poorly; stubborn; needs firm training; very patient; tender.

FR·Show original

Passé: abandon suite incapacité de gérer Le + : joueur ; espiègle ; besoin de dynamisme ; s’attache beaucoup ; sait se faire comprendre Le – : peureux ; possible mordeur de panique ; fuyard ; s’attache beaucoup Alf reste terrorisé du refuge et refuse tout contact. Nous travaillons dessus 25.05 : alf sort avec les personnes en confiance 12.06.26 : alf reste sur ses gardes mais apprécie notre présence et les sorties en parc ou il peut se défouler On m’a dit qu’il fallait que je me montre sous mon plus beau jour pour trouver ma famille ☺️ Alors franchement si c’était une compétition de sprint ou une balade en forêt, je serais déjà sur le podium. Je suis un chien plein d’énergie, toujours prêt pour une aventure. Randonnée ? Course à pied ? Grande balade ? Jeu de balle ? Comptez sur moi ! J’ai un moteur intégré et j’adore me dépenser mais les nouvelles choses me font peur. Par contre, je dois aussi vous avouer un petit truc : Je peux me montrer un vrai trouillard, quand j’ai très peur ou que je me sens dépassé par le stress, je peux même sortir les dents. Ce n’est pas parce que je suis méchant, c’est juste ma façon un peu maladroite de dire : “Au secours, j’ai trop peur !” Si je suis acculé, sinon la fuite est mon 1er reflexe. Mon arrivée au refuge a été un véritable cauchemar pour moi, j’étais terrorisé 🥺. Heureusement, les bénévoles ne m’ont pas abandonné et m’ont laissé le temps, ils m’ont parlé doucement, ils m’ont montré que les humains pouvaient être gentils. Aujourd’hui, je pars volontiers en promenade avec ceux en qui j’ai confiance, et je découvre, petit à petit, que les caresses et la compagnie, ce n’est finalement pas si mal. Je cherche une famille qui comprendra qu’on ne devient pas courageux en un claquement de doigts. J’ai besoin de calme, de patience, de bienveillance… et d’un peu d’humour, parce qu’il y aura sûrement quelques moments où je ferai mon grand sensible. En échange, je vous promets un compagnon fidèle, drôle, sportif et attachant, qui avancera à vos côtés à son rythme car chaque petite victoire sera une immense fierté, et je peux vous assurer qu’elles auront un goût particulier. Alors, si vous pensez que les plus belles histoires sont celles qui prennent le temps de s’écrire, venez me rencontrer. Je ne vous sauterai peut-être pas immédiatement dans les bras… mais si vous gagnez mon cœur, ce sera pour toujours ♥️. Histoire de race : de 40 à 58 cm pour 20 à 50 kg pour les XL ; originaire États-Unis ; espérance de vie 10 ans ; molosse ; très affectueux ; extrêmement fidèle ; supporte mal la solitude ; têtu ; éducation ferme ; grand patient ; tendre

Size
Medium
Age
—
Location
🇫🇷France
Shelter
SPA de l
Cared for by SPA de l · FranceLearn about American Bully →

Listed 4 months ago

Bringing Alf home

What you'll need for Alf 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 Alf

What life with Alf looks like

Alf is a medium-sized adult american bully dog waiting at SPA de l in France.

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 France

French refuges follow the SPA framework: adopters sign a cession contract that includes sterilization, vaccinations, microchip identification, and rabies passport. Many refuges work with rescue transport partners for cross-border placements.

France, France — browse more dogs in France.

Frequently asked

Adopting Alf, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Alf?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. SPA de l handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Alf on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Alf if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — SPA de l 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. Transport is usually a separate cost, so ask for the exact figure before you commit.
Is Alf 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 Alf 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 SPA de l early rather than rehoming privately; they know Alf 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 (FR). 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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