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Ferdinando

Mixed Breed · Male · Adult · 4 years

August 2025, Ferdinando came to our partner shelter in Olbia on Sardinia together with his siblings Fergus and Francia. Fergus has already moved into a loving family, but Ferdinando is still waiting. So is his sister Francia. Ferdinando had to stay in a small, dark enclosure for far too long - cut off from life, cut off from closeness. In the evenings, when all the dogs were in their enclosures, he was allowed to go out of his small, dark "hole." Due to his insecurity and fear, he learned to protect himself: by growling, by maintaining a rough exterior that keeps others at a distance. But those who look closely can see it: this is only his armor. Behind it beats a sensitive, vulnerable heart that needs to be won over. Our caretakers Emerson and Mauro show Ferdinando every day that people don't want anything bad. Emerson even takes him in his arms - and Ferdinando allows it. Even more: he accepts the friendship. This shows us that this dog is ready to open his heart. But he needs time. He needs patience. He needs a person who sees him - and who doesn't give up on him if he initially doesn't "function." We are looking for Ferdinando's soul people. Someone with dog experience, with calmness, with love, with dog sense. A person who shows him the way to a new life. Because we are sure: once Ferdinando has built trust, he will become a very special companion - maybe even your soul dog. We would welcome a friendly and open female dog who shows Ferdinando the beautiful sides of dog life and gives him security. We require an enclosed garden. Children in the household, however, we currently cannot consider due to his insecurity. Would you like to give this special dog a chance at a home? Then contact us. We would gladly accompany you during a visit to Olbia so you can meet Ferdinando in person.

DE·Show original

August 2025 Ferdinando kam zusammen mit seinen Geschwistern Fergus und Francia in unser Partnertierheim nach Olbia auf Sardinien. Fergus durfte schon längst in eine liebevolle Familie ziehen, doch Ferdinando wartet noch immer. Ebenso seine Schwester Francia . Ferdinando musste viel zu lange in einem kleinen, dunklen Gehege ausharren – abgeschirmt vom Leben, abgeschirmt von Nähe. Abends, wenn alle Hunde in ihren Gehegen waren, durfte er raus aus seinem kleinen, dunklen „Loch“. Aus Unsicherheit und Angst hat er gelernt, sich zu schützen: mit Knurren, mit einer rauen Fassade, die andere auf Abstand hält. Doch wer genau hinsieht, erkennt es: Das ist nur seine Rüstung. Dahinter schlägt ein sensibles, verletzliches Herz, das es gilt zu erobern. Unsere Betreuer Emerson und Mauro zeigen Ferdinando jeden Tag, dass Menschen nichts Böses wollen. Emerson nimmt ihn sogar in die Arme – und Ferdinando lässt es zu. Mehr noch: Er nimmt die Freundschaft an. Das zeigt uns, dass dieser Hund bereit ist, sein Herz zu öffnen. Aber er braucht Zeit. Er braucht Geduld. Er braucht einen Menschen, der ihn sieht – und der ihn nicht aufgibt, wenn er anfangs nicht „funktioniert“. Wir suchen für Ferdinando seine Herzensmenschen . Jemanden mit Hundeerfahrung, mit Ruhe, mit Liebe, mit Hundeverstand. Einen Menschen, der ihm den Weg in ein neues Leben zeigt. Denn wir sind sicher: Wenn Ferdinando Vertrauen gefasst hat, wird er zu einem ganz besonderen Begleiter – vielleicht sogar zu Ihrem Seelenhund. Eine freundliche und offene Hündin, die Ferdinando die schönen Seiten eines Hundelebens zeigt und ihm Sicherheit gibt, würden wir begrüßen. Ein eingezäunter Garten setzten wir voraus. Kinder im Haushalt sehen wir aufgrund seiner Unsicherheiten momentan nicht. Wollen Sie diesem besonderen Hund die Chance auf ein Zuhause schenken? Dann melden Sie sich bei uns. Gerne begleiten wir Sie bei einem Besuch in Olbia, damit Sie Ferdinando selbst kennenlernen können. Vielleicht spüren auch Sie sofort, was

Size
Large
Age
Adult · 4 years
Location
🇩🇪Germany
Shelter
PfotenFreunde Sardinien e.V.
Living with Ferdinando
  • Neutered
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by PfotenFreunde Sardinien e.V. · GermanyLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Ferdinando home

What you'll need for Ferdinando 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 Ferdinando

What life with Ferdinando looks like

Ferdinando is a large adult mixed breed dog waiting at PfotenFreunde Sardinien e.V. in Germany.

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 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.

Germany, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Ferdinando, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Ferdinando?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. PfotenFreunde Sardinien e.V. handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Ferdinando on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Ferdinando if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — PfotenFreunde Sardinien 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. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Ferdinando 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 Ferdinando 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 PfotenFreunde Sardinien e.V. early rather than rehoming privately; they know Ferdinando 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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