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Balou

Mixed Breed · Male · Adult · 4 years

Our three-legged Balou came to us from abroad originally and is now looking for a suitable home. Balou is very wary of strangers and at first didn't let anyone get close to him. Over time he has learned that we aren't so bad after all, and now, with a little patience, you can earn his trust. Once you've won him over, this little guy turns out to be a cheerful, funny companion who loves spending time outdoors with his people and enjoys being cuddled at length. He is very eager to learn and clever, and he certainly tries to use this to his advantage. When he doesn't want to do something, he likes to disguise it with playful antics. Because Balou has only three legs, the rest of his musculoskeletal system is under double strain and already shows damage. He needs pain medication and should move into a ground-floor home. We unfortunately can't say anything about his behavior in a household setting, as much will probably be new to him there. We are looking for people who can show him everyday life with a bit of sensitivity and who won't be put off if he needs a little longer for some things. For our disabled four-legged friend, we are looking for people who bring plenty of time and patience. Despite his disability, Balou has by no means lost his joie de vivre and already knows exactly how to wrap people around his little paw.

DE·Show original

Unser dreibein Balou kam ursprünglich aus dem Ausland und sucht nun nach einem geeigneten Zuhause. Balou ist sehr skeptisch gegenüber fremden Menschen und hat anfangs niemanden an sich heran gelassen. Mit der Zeit hat er gelernt, dass wir gar nicht so böse sind und nun kann man sich mit ein bisschen Zeit sein Vertrauen erarbeiten. Hat man ihn einmal rumgekriegt, entpuppt sich der kleine Mann als lebensfroher und lustiger Partner, der gerne Zeit mit seinen Bezugspersonen in der Natur verbringt und sich ausgiebig kuscheln lässt. Er ist sehr lernwillig und schlau, was er durchaus auch versucht zu seinem Vorteil zu nutzen. Wenn er etwas nicht möchte, verpackt er das gerne mit lustigen Albereien. Aufgrund dessen, dass Balou nur drei Beine hat, ist der Rest seines Bewegungsapparats doppelt belastet und weist bereits Schäden auf. Er benötigt Schmerzmittel und sollte in ein ebenerdiges Zuhause ziehen. Über sein Verhalten in einem häuslichen Umfeld können wir leider nichts sagen, dort wird vermutlich noch vieles neu für ihn sein. Hier sind Menschen gefragt, die ihm mit etwas Feingefühl den Alltag zeigen und nicht zurückschrecken, wenn er für manche Sachen etwas länger braucht. Für unseren gehandicapten Vierbeiner suchen wir Menschen, die viel Zeit und Geduld mitbringen. Trotz seiner Behinderung hat Balou keineswegs seine Lebensfreude verloren und weiß auch schon genau, wie man Menschen um den Finger wickeln kann.

Size
Large
Age
Adult · 4 years
Location
🇩🇪Velbert
Shelter
Tierheim Velbert
Living with Balou
  • ✓Neutered
  • ✓Good with dogs
Cared for by Tierheim Velbert · VelbertLearn about Mixed Breed →

Listed 7 months ago

Bringing Balou home

What you'll need for Balou 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 Balou

What life with Balou looks like

Balou is a large adult mixed breed dog waiting at Tierheim Velbert in Velbert.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. A larger dog like this one needs daily off-leash time when possible — a fenced yard or regular access to safe walking trails. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Dogs and cats typically leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with an EU pet passport.

Velbert, Germany — browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Balou, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Balou?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Velbert handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Balou on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Balou if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Velbert 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 Balou 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 Balou 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 Tierheim Velbert early rather than rehoming privately; they know Balou 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 (DE). 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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