Not confirmed since October 21, 2026

Bernie

English Bulldog · Male · Adult · 5 years

Bernie came to us in May 2024 due to his previous owners being overwhelmed. This American Bulldog male is a really nice dog, but he is incredibly strong - and you must be able to handle his weight in every situation, including encounters with other dogs. Unfortunately, no training was done in his last home, so when he came to us, he was absolutely not leash-trained. This has since improved noticeably. He's also becoming more relaxed during encounters with other dogs. Bernie is a really fine, funny guy, his only 'problem' is his strength. We're looking for dog lovers who have experience with 'powerhouses' and feel confident walking Bernie on leash through thick and thin.

DE·Show original

Bernie kam im Mai 2024 wegen Überforderung zu uns. Der American Bulldog Rüde ist ein wirklich netter Hund, aber er ist unglaublich kräftig - und seinen Kilos muss man in jeder Situation, auch bei Begegnungen mit Artgenossen, gewachsen sein. Leider wurde in seinem letzten Zuhause überhaupt nicht mit ihm gearbeitet, so dass er, als er zu uns kam, absolut nicht leinenführig war. Dies hat sich inzwischen aber merklich verbessert. Auch bei Begegnungen mit Artgenossen wird er immer gelassener. Bernie ist ein wirklich feiner, witziger Kerl, sein einziges "Problem" ist seine Kraft. Hier werden Hundefreunde gesucht, die Erfahrung mit "Bollerköppen" haben und sich zutrauen, mit Bernie an der Leine durch dick und dünn zu gehen. Wenn Sie sich für die Adoption von Bernie interessieren, schreiben Sie uns gerne eine Mail. Da es vermutlich noch etwas dauern wird, bis für Bernie ein passendes Für-immer-Zuhause gefunden werden kann, freut er sich über Paten. Eine Patenschaft ist an keine Laufzeit und an keinen festen Betrag gebunden. Weitere Details hierzu finden sie auf dieser Seite unter "Patenschaften".

Size

Large

Age

Adult · 5 years

Location

🇩🇪Cologne

Shelter

Tierheim Köln

Living with Bernie

✕Has special needs

Cared for by Tierheim Köln · Cologne Learn about English Bulldog →

More dogs in Cologne →More dogs in Germany →

Listed 6 months ago

Bringing Bernie home

What you'll need for Bernie in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

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About Bernie

What life with Bernie looks like

Bernie is a large adult english bulldog dog waiting at Tierheim Köln in Cologne.

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.

Note from the shelter: Very strong dog requiring experienced handlers who can manage his power and leash training needs

🇩🇪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.

Cologne, Germany — browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Bernie, answered.

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