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Adopt Dalma

Mixed Breed · Female · Senior · 11 years

Dalma belongs to our big underdogs. She came to us in early 2025 at our animal shelter, found a wonderful home, but unfortunately had to return after only four weeks due to an incident with a neighbor. Dalma is a true ray of sunshine and a happy-go-lucky dog. She loves all people and can never get enough cuddles. She constantly wags her tail and is always happy to spend time with you and receive attention. From her previous home, we know that she quickly learned basic commands and behaved uncomplicatedly in the apartment. She knows her spots, that she doesn’t get anything from the table, and responds to the word “no” in every situation. Although she is quite food-motivated and thus got her meals from the slingshot feeder, she is affectionate, smart, and self-assured. Despite her age, she has a lot of energy. Dalma loves going for walks, enjoys the attention of her trusted people, and would do anything for treats. She can sometimes be a bit pushy, but this is easily handled by setting boundaries. Unfortunately, there was an incident in her home where Dalma bit a neighbor after she suddenly bent down to her, and the female dog felt threatened. Although the lady insisted it was her own fault, the owners, first-time dog owners, were so unsettled that they no longer trusted living with Dalma and returned her. Now we are looking for another home for this extremely charming female dog. As she doesn’t particularly like other dogs, a rural environment would be ideal where she doesn’t constantly run into fellow animals. Perhaps also a garden where she can frolic as she pleases. If you are interested in meeting her, please send us a detailed email.

Read original (de)

Dalma gehört zu unseren großen Pechvögeln. Sie kam Anfang 2025 zu uns ins Tierheim, fand dann ein schönes Zuhause, doch nach nur vier Wochen kam sie nach einem Zwischenfall mit einer Nachbarin leider wieder zurück. Dalma ist ein echter Sonnenschein und Gute-Laune-Hund. Sie mag alle Menschen und kann gar nicht genug Streicheleinheiten bekommen. Ständig wedelt sie mit dem Schwanz und freut sich, wenn man Zeit mit ihr verbringt und ihr Aufmerksamkeit schenkt. Aus ihrem ehemaligen Zuhause wissen wir, dass sie die Grundkommandos schnell gelernt hat und sich in der Wohnung wirklich unkompliziert verhalten hat. Sie hat gelernt, wo ihre Plätze sind, dass sie nichts vom Tisch bekommt und in jeder Situation auf das Wort „nein” hört. Sie ist zwar ziemlich verfressen und bekam deshalb ihre Mahlzeiten aus dem Schlingnapf. Sie ist liebevoll, klug und selbstbewusst. Trotz ihres Alters hat sie viel Energie. Dalma geht sehr gerne spazieren, genießt die Aufmerksamkeit ihrer Bezugspersonen und würde für Leckerlis alles tun. Dabei kann sie manchmal etwas aufdringlich werden, was sich aber gut handhaben lässt, wenn man ihr hier Grenzen setzt. Leider gab es in ihrem Zuhause einen Zwischenfall, bei dem Dalma nach einer Nachbarin geschnappt hat, nachdem diese sich plötzlich über sie gebeugt hatte und die Hündin sich bedroht fühlte. Obwohl die Dame beteuerte, es sei allein ihre Schuld gewesen, waren die Besitzer, Hundeanfänger, so verunsichert, dass sie sich ein weiteres Zusammenleben mit Dalma nicht mehr zutrauten und sie zurückbrachten. Nun suchen wir erneut ein Zuhause für die überaus charmante Hündin. Da sie andere Hunde nicht besonders mag, wäre eine ländliche Umgebung ideal, in der sie nicht ständig Artgenossen begegnet. Vielleicht auch ein Garten, in dem sie sich nach Lust und Laune austoben kann. Wenn Sie an einem Kennenlernen interessiert sind, schreiben Sie uns bitte eine ausführliche E-Mail.

Size
Medium
Age
Senior · 11 years
Location
🇩🇪Cologne
Shelter
Tierheim Köln
Living with Dalma
  • Spayed
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
  • Has special needs
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Cared for by Tierheim Köln · CologneLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Dalma home

What you'll need for Dalma 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.

    View on Amazon
    €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 Dalma

What life with Dalma looks like

Dalma is a medium-sized senior mixed breed dog waiting at Tierheim Köln in Cologne.

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.

Note from the shelter: History of defensive snapping when feeling threatened by sudden movements; requires calm, experienced handling

🇩🇪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.

Cologne, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Dalma, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Dalma?
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 Dalma on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Dalma 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. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Dalma 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 Dalma 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 Dalma 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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