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Adopt Curtis

German Shepherd · Male · Young · 3 years

A German Shepherd in a polka-dot outfit! Even though his fur color might be a bit misleading, our Curtis is a typical German Shepherd. He is eager to learn, wants to please his human, and work. If he doesn't get enough work assigned to him, he will find something to do on his own – much like the saying goes, "he who does not work, does not eat," but often not to the liking of his caretaker. Barking, barking, tearing things apart, or running in circles for hours like a circus horse are then on the agenda. Curtis is therefore looking for a consistent handler who can give him more meaningful tasks than just dipping his paw in his water bowl, and most importantly, teaches him: calmness. For as soon as you take him by the hand and give him a clear direction, Curtis shows how much potential he has and that he is indeed capable of becoming a great companion. Shepherd dog enthusiasts will surely fall in love with him. For Curtis, we are looking for a home with clear structures and a lot of calmness. He does not want to share his new owners with other animals or children.

Read original (de)

Ein Schäferhund im Fleckenkostüm! Auch wenn seine Fellfärbung etwas irreführend ist, handelt es sich bei unserem Curtis um einen typischen Schäferhund. Er ist lernwillig, möchte seinem Menschen gefallen und arbeiten. Bekommt er nicht genügend Arbeit zugewiesen, dann sucht er sich eben selbst eine – ganz nach dem Motto: wer rastet, der rostet – nur ist das oft nicht zum Gefallen seiner Betreuungsperson. Bellen, Pöbeln, Dinge zerfetzen oder wie ein Zirkuspferd stundenlang im Kreis laufen stehen dann auf dem Programm. Curtis sucht also eine konsequente Führung, die ihm sinnvollere Aufgaben gibt, als das Baden in seinem Wassernapf und vor Allem eines beibringt: Ruhe. Denn, sobald man ihn an die Hand nimmt und ihm eine klare Richtung vorgibt, zeigt Curtis, wie viel Potenzial in ihm steckt und dass er durchaus in der Lage ist, ein toller Begleiter zu werden. Liebhaber von Schäferhunden werden sich sicherlich in ihn verlieben. Für Curtis suchen wir also ein Zuhause mit klaren Strukturen und viel Ruhe. Mit anderen Tieren oder Kindern möchte er seine neuen Besitzer nicht teilen.

Size
Age
Young · 3 years
Location
🇩🇪Gelsenkirchen
Shelter
Tierheim Gelsenkirchen
Living with Curtis
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Tierheim Gelsenkirchen · GelsenkirchenLearn about German Shepherd

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Curtis home

What you'll need for Curtis 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.

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    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

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    €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 Curtis

What life with Curtis looks like

Curtis is a young adult german shepherd dog waiting at Tierheim Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen.

An young 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 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.

Gelsenkirchen, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Curtis, answered.

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