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Not confirmed since November 3, 2026

Dave

Mixed Breed · Male · Adult · 5 years

Dave (born 07/2021), formerly known as Chris, has been living in his foster home since January. The new name stands for a clean break and a fresh start, because Dave should finally be able to learn that people don't pressure him but instead provide security. Dave is a small, handsome and wonderfully funny fellow. At the same time, he comes with a special history: at the Romanian shelter he was repeatedly pressured and cornered with an artificial hand. When he snapped out of fear, people backed off. Unfortunately, he learned that biting works to keep people away. Dave would actually like to trust, but in many situations he still doesn't know how to deal with uncertainty. In his foster home he is therefore gaining new experiences step by step. Dave needs a true "explainer": a calm, confident person who shows him new situations, explains them, and gives him the time he needs to understand them. Once he has encountered something several times, it quickly becomes routine for him. For example, being lifted into the car was initially an issue; today it works without any problems and entirely without a muzzle. The muzzle is an important aid for Dave and no drama at all. He knows and accepts it well. In new situations it is put on briefly as a precaution. Once the situation is over, the muzzle can come off again, and Dave holds no grudges whatsoever. Nevertheless, it should be understood that he can still react if pressured, and he therefore needs people who recognize and respect his limits. Touching and petting still feels creepy to Dave. Although he now allows contact in his familiar corner of the house, he remains noticeably stiff and audibly swallows during it. Cuddling is by no means his thing yet, and his future people should not expect it. Much more important is building trust together and showing him that closeness does not have to be threatening. Dave is social with other dogs. He especially loves running and chasing games and enjoys racing around with other dogs. A confident companion dog would certainly be helpful for him, but it is not a strict requirement. Interestingly, Dave is more willing to approach a person when another dog is present. He enjoys playing with toys on his own: he tosses them up, runs around with them, and hides them. Behind his insecurity is a playful, funny little fellow who shows more of himself all the time. For Dave we are looking for very special people with experience handling insecure dogs, who will neither pity, pressure, nor overwhelm him. They should be willing to explain the world to him in small steps and not measure his progress by cuddling or rapid improvement. Several get-to-know-you meetings are absolutely required. Dave is not a dog for people looking for an uncomplicated little companion. He is a dog for people who understand that trust is a process and who enjoy walking that path together with him. Those who commit to it will discover that behind this small, sometimes still skeptical fellow is a truly great, funny and lovable dog. Dave is neutered and will be vaccinated, microchipped, and placed with a protection contract after a positive pre-screening. A safety harness (3 straps) is required when collecting the dog. Such a harness can be purchased for only 25€ along with him.

DE·Show original

Dave (geb. 07/2021), ehemals bekannt als Chris, lebt seit Januar auf seiner Pflegestelle. Der neue Name steht für einen klaren Cut und einen Neuanfang – denn Dave sollte endlich lernen dürfen, dass Menschen nicht bedrängen, sondern Sicherheit geben.Dave ist ein kleiner, hübscher und ausgesprochen lustiger Kerl. Gleichzeitig bringt er eine besondere Geschichte mit: Im rumänischen Shelter wurde er wiederholt bedrängt und mit einer künstlichen Hand in die Enge getrieben. Wenn er aus Angst zuschnappte, wurde von ihm abgelassen. So wurde ihm leider vermittelt, dass Beißen funktioniert, um sich Menschen vom Leib zu halten. Dave möchte eigentlich vertrauen, weiß aber in vielen Situationen noch nicht, wie er mit Unsicherheit umgehen soll.Auf seiner Pflegestelle macht er deshalb Schritt für Schritt neue Erfahrungen. Dave braucht dabei einen echten „Erklärbären“: einen ruhigen, souveränen Menschen, der ihm neue Situationen zeigt, erklärt und ihm die nötige Zeit gibt, sie zu verstehen. Hat er etwas mehrfach kennengelernt, wird es für ihn schnell selbstverständlich. So war beispielsweise das Hineinheben ins Auto zunächst ein Thema, inzwischen funktioniert es problemlos und ganz ohne Maulkorb.Der Maulkorb ist für Dave ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel und überhaupt kein Drama. Er kennt und akzeptiert ihn gut. Bei neuen Situationen wird er vorsichtshalber kurz eingesetzt. Sobald die Situation vorbei ist, kann der Maulkorb wieder ab und Dave ist überhaupt nicht nachtragend. Trotzdem sollte man sich bewusst sein, dass er bei Bedrängung weiterhin reagieren kann und daher Menschen braucht, die seine Grenzen erkennen und respektieren.Anfassen und Streicheln findet Dave derzeit noch gruselig. Auch wenn er inzwischen in seiner vertrauten Ecke im Haus Berührungen zulässt, wird er dabei noch deutlich steif und schluckt hörbar. Kuscheln ist also noch lange nicht sein Ding – und das sollte von seinen zukünftigen Menschen auch nicht erwartet werden. Viel wichtiger ist es, gemeinsam Vertrauen aufzubauen und ihm zu zeigen, dass Nähe nichts Bedrohliches sein muss.Mit anderen Hunden ist Dave sozial. Besonders Renn- und Jagdspiele liebt er und flitzt gerne mit anderen Hunden um die Wette. Ein souveräner Begleithund wäre für ihn sicherlich hilfreich, ist aber keine zwingende Voraussetzung. Interessant ist, dass Dave sich eher traut, auf einen Menschen zuzugehen, wenn ein anderer Hund dabei ist. Mit Spielzeug beschäftigt er sich gerne selbst: Er wirft es hoch, rennt damit herum und versteckt es. Hinter seiner Unsicherheit steckt ein verspielter, witziger kleiner Kerl, der immer mehr von sich zeigt.Für Dave suchen wir sehr besondere Menschen mit Erfahrung im Umgang mit unsicheren Hunden, die ihn nicht bemitleiden, bedrängen oder überfordern. Sie sollten bereit sein, ihm die Welt in kleinen Schritten zu erklären und seine Entwicklung nicht an Kuscheleinheiten oder schnellen Fortschritten zu messen. Mehrere Kennenlernen sind unbedingt erforderlich.Dave ist kein Hund für Menschen, die einen unkomplizierten kleinen Begleiter suchen. Er ist ein Hund für Menschen, die verstehen, dass Vertrauen ein Prozess ist und die Freude daran haben, diesen Weg gemeinsam mit ihm zu gehen. Wer sich darauf einlässt, wird feststellen, dass hinter dem kleinen, manchmal noch skeptischen Kerl ein wirklich toller, lustiger und liebenswerter Hund steckt.Dave ist kastriert und wird geimpft, gechippt und nach positiver Vorkontrolle mit einem Schutzvertrag vermittelt.Das Tragen eines Sicherheitsgeschirrs ist bei der Abholung des Hundes notwendig. Ein solches Geschirr (3 Riemen) kann für nur 25€ mit erworben werden.

Size
Small
Age
Adult · 5 years
Location
🇩🇪Germany
Shelter
Vierbeiner in Not e.V.
Living with Dave
  • ✓Vaccinated
  • ✓Neutered
  • ✓Microchipped
Cared for by Vierbeiner in Not e.V. · GermanyLearn about Mixed Breed →

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Dave home

What you'll need for Dave 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

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Dave

What life with Dave looks like

Dave is a small adult mixed breed dog waiting at Vierbeiner in Not e.V. in Germany.

An 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. Dogs and cats typically leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with an EU pet passport.

Germany, Germany — browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Dave, answered.

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