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Not confirmed since October 27, 2026

Basil

German Shorthaired Pointer · Female · Adult · 5 years

Basil is a very affectionate and good natured lad, he’s 5 years old and neutered, this is his second home after his original owner said he was gun shy. His current owners explain that a few months ago we lost our older girl. Basil was incredible with her, especially over her last couple of years. He knew she was fragile, so he'd play tug of war gently and always let her win, and every night they'd snuggle up together. Since she passed, he's been really lonely. He's struggling with separation anxiety and has started chewing things at home and in the car when he's left. It's heartbreaking to watch, because he's such a sociable boy and he's missing his friend. On top of that, a change in our work circumstances means we can't give him the time and exercise he needs anymore. We'll really miss our lovely boy, but we'd rather he had the home and the doggy family he deserves than stay with us and be lonely. Ideally Basil would like a home with at least one or two other dogs for company, where he won't be left on his own. He grew up in a house with five other dogs and he's happiest with company. Off lead he's really well socialised and usually starts the play, on lead he can be a little defensive around big male dogs, and if one's aggressive he backs right down. Basil is fine with cats he's lived with four and is cautious but friendly. He is good with children, he can be a bit wary at first but he's gentle, and his first home had two children aged around 4 and 8. He’s fine around livestock as far as we know. He grew up on a farm with sheep and chickens and we've never had an issue. He’s well trained and walks to heel. He's strong and pulls a bit before his first morning walk, but he's much better once he's had a run. Basils recall is good but can be slow if there's an interesting smell, he needs a firm, consistent command so he knows it isn't optional. He was originally trained to a whistle, and that could probably be brought back with a bit of practice. He travels brilliantly and just curls up and snoozes. He barely barks, he will "woo woo" when he's excited about breakfast, dinner, walks or snacks, but he doesn't even get up when the doorbell rings! He’s a total cuddle monster who loves belly rubs but can also be a bit of a counter surfer. Basil's in good health with no outstanding medical conditions. He's allergic to grass seed and can react quite strongly in summer, but a course of steroids usually clears it up. He's also intolerant to chicken and eggs. They don't make him ill, just very gassy! Basil is currently in the East Lothian area and will be rehomed with his 5 weeks free Agria Insurance and his Adoption Contract. If you feel you can offer this lovely lad the rural setting with canine and human company please contact us. GSP Rescue UK Terms and Conditions apply. 💜🐾🐾 © GSP Rescue UK 2016–2026 GSP Rescue UK is a working name of German Shorthaired Pointer Trust, a Registered Charity in England & Wales No. 1172457

Size
Large
Age
Adult · 5 years
Location
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Shelter
GSP Rescue UK
Living with Basil
  • ✓Spayed
  • ✓Good with dogs
  • ✓Good with cats
  • ✓Good with kids
Cared for by GSP Rescue UK · United KingdomLearn about German Shorthaired Pointer →

Listed 1 week ago

Bringing Basil home

What you'll need for Basil 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 Basil

What life with Basil looks like

Basil is a large adult german shorthaired pointer dog waiting at GSP Rescue UK in United Kingdom.

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 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.

United Kingdom, United Kingdom — browse more dogs in United Kingdom.

Frequently asked

Adopting Basil, answered.

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