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Likely adopted

Balou

German Shepherd · Male · Senior · 9 years

Balou is a very special soul who has been with us at the Drakenburg Animal Shelter for many years. The now eleven-year-old Shepherd-Terrier mix has a very sad and eventful history: He has been rehomed three times and each time had to return to us - unfortunately, the reason was always a pronounced resource problem around the topic of food, where he became noticeable in his former homes. Even in a foster home, which he found five years ago with one of our dedicated volunteer employees, he could not completely abandon this behavior over the years. Unfortunately, there were also incidents where he bit during this time. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial for his future home that Balou comes into experienced and consistent hands. His people must be able to safely master the handling of resource aggression, be able to manage situations in advance, and offer him the necessary structure and space he needs to remain stable. However, that Balou is also an absolutely lovable, lively and sociable guy is proven to us every day. Our senior male is still incredibly playful and loves nothing more than being active with the person on the meadow. When his favorite ball comes into play, he really blooms - the joint utilization makes him a huge amount of fun and the retrieval works really 1A! He also gets along well with other dogs; with females, he gets along almost always. We just dearly wish that this great, playful guy still gets the chance to spend his well-deserved retirement outside the animal shelter in a suitable, safe and loving home.

DE·Show original

​Balou ist eine ganz besondere Seele, die uns im Tierheim Drakenburg schon seit vielen Jahren begleitet. Der inzwischen elfjährige Schäferhund-Terrier-Mischling hat leider eine sehr traurige und bewegte Geschichte hinter sich: Bereits dreimal wurde er vermittelt und musste jedes Mal wieder zu uns zurückkehren – der Grund war leider immer eine ausgeprägte Ressourcenproblematik rund um das Thema Futter, bei der er in seinen früheren Zuhausen auffällig wurde. ​Auch auf einer Pflegestelle, die er vor fünf Jahren bei einem unserer engagierten ehrenamtlichen Mitarbeiter fand, konnte er dieses Verhalten über die Jahre nicht ganz ablegen. Im Laufe der viereinhalb Jahre kam es dort leider auch zu Vorfällen, bei denen er zubiss. ​Deshalb ist es für sein zukünftiges Zuhause absolut entscheidend, dass Balou in erfahrene und konsequente Hände kommt. Seine Menschen müssen den Umgang mit Ressourcenaggression sicher beherrschen, Situationen vorausschauend managen können und ihm die nötige Struktur und den Raum bieten, die er braucht, um stabil zu bleiben. ​Dass in Balou aber auch ein absolut liebenswerter, aufgeweckter und umgänglicher Kerl steckt, beweist er uns jeden Tag. Unser Senior-Rüde ist nämlich noch unglaublich verspielt und liebt es über alles, gemeinsam mit dem Menschen auf der Wiese aktiv zu sein. Wenn sein Lieblingsball ins Spiel kommt, blüht er so richtig auf – das gemeinsame Auslasten macht ihm riesigen Spaß und das Apportieren klappt bei ihm wirklich 1A! Auch mit anderen Hunden kommt er in der Regel gut klar; mit Hündinnen versteht er sich eigentlich fast immer. ​Wir wünschen uns einfach sehnlichst, dass dieser tolle, spielfreudige Kerl noch die Chance bekommt, seinen wohlverdienten Lebensabend außerhalb des Tierheims in einem geeigneten, sicheren und liebevollen Zuhause zu verbringen.

Size
Age
Senior · 9 years
Location
🇩🇪Drakenburg
Shelter
Tierheim Drakenburg
Cared for by Tierheim Drakenburg · DrakenburgLearn about German Shepherd

Listed 1 week 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.

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    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

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

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    €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

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About Balou

What life with Balou looks like

Balou is a senior german shepherd dog waiting at Tierheim Drakenburg in Drakenburg.

Senior dogs settle in faster than younger ones. They want a soft bed, predictable meals, and short, sniff-heavy walks rather than runs. Many senior rescues bond deeply within weeks because they understand exactly how good a stable home is. Expect occasional vet visits for joint or dental care.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Drakenburg, 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 Drakenburg 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 Drakenburg 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 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 Drakenburg 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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