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Available

Arabella

Dutch Shepherd · Female · Adult · 4 years

Arabella needs a patient, understanding adopter who will allow her the time and space to build confidence at her own pace. She is looking for an adult-only home with someone who is home for the majority of the time, as she currently finds being left alone very difficult. This may be something that can be gradually introduced once she feels secure. A private, secure garden, a quiet home, consistent routines and a dedicated safe space would be ideal. Arabella is very nervous around other dogs and may benefit from carefully managed socialisation training; calm walking companions could potentially be introduced, although she does not gain much from this at present. Arabella has so much potential and, with the right person by her side, we believe she can continue to blossom. Potential adopters must be willing to visit Arabella at our centre multiple times to build a bond before going home. Arabella is a beautiful 4-year-old Dutch Shepherd who has had a very sheltered life, and as a result she is extremely nervous of new people and unfamiliar situations. Since coming into our care, we have seen her confidence grow enormously. She has developed lovely bonds with her known handlers and will now greet them rather than hiding, walks nicely while regularly checking in for reassurance, and will even allow herself to be groomed. Once she knows and trusts you, Arabella will show a wonderfully affectionate side. She thrives on predictable routines and having access to quiet outside spaces, which help her feel safe and confident.

Size
Age
Adult · 4 years
Location
🇬🇧Wickford
Shelter
Dogs Trust Basildon
Living with Arabella
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with cats
  • Good with kids
Cared for by Dogs Trust Basildon · WickfordLearn about Dutch Shepherd

Listed 1 week ago

Bringing Arabella home

What you'll need for Arabella 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.

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    €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

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Arabella

What life with Arabella looks like

Arabella is a adult dutch shepherd dog waiting at Dogs Trust Basildon in Wickford.

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 United Kingdom

UK shelters work under the Pet Travel Scheme (post-Brexit, the EU pet passport is not valid; a UK Animal Health Certificate is required for travel into the EU). Most UK rescues focus on domestic placements but some work with EU partners.

Wickford, United Kingdom browse more dogs in United Kingdom.

Frequently asked

Adopting Arabella, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Arabella?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Dogs Trust Basildon handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Arabella on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Arabella if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Dogs Trust Basildon 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. UK adopters: post-Brexit travel into the EU requires an Animal Health Certificate. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Arabella 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 Arabella 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 Dogs Trust Basildon early rather than rehoming privately; they know Arabella 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 (EN). 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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