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Likely adopted

Fiona &#8211

Mixed Breed · Female

Fiona is a young, handsome lady currently waiting at the animal shelter of ArcoNatura for her family. She was found alone and abandoned in a field at the age of four months by a passerby. Fiona’s rescuer initially took the giant baby in and tried to find a home for her. Since this search was unsuccessful and the animal-loving lady already has four dogs, she eventually asked our partners in Linares for help. In October, the XXL-knutschball moved into the animal shelter. Fiona is currently about 66 cm tall, but herd guard dogs grow for the first three years (though not as quickly after the first year), she is already neutered, has a clean health certificate, and above all, the playful little fish shows a friendly, cheerful nature. She is very social, gets along well with other dogs, cats, and children, and is affectionate and open with people. She likes to play with toys and is generally an uncomplicated companion. Fiona, however, is also a herd guard dog with the classic Mastin Espagnol traits: she is vigilant, sovereign, and possesses a natural calm that some interpret as stubbornness. In the past few decades, the existing lines of the Bernards have been crossed with the existing lines of the Mastins to further temper the character of the herd guard dogs. In Spain, the dogs no longer have to confront bears or wolves, but they must be superior to stray dogs and at the same time have a heart for the sometimes unsuspecting tourists who wander into the herds. Fiona unmistakably has this Bernard line in her, making her not only a reliable guardian but also a female dog that integrates well into a family if given breed-appropriate tasks. Herd guard dogs like Fiona are independent and intelligent. They need a primary caregiver who meets them with calmness and clarity and gives them a purpose in life. At the same time, they are very loyal and develop a close bond with their family. Fiona is particularly suited for people who are looking for a large, gentle dog that not only offers protection but also a heart of gold. Adopting Fiona means getting a young female dog with great potential who is happy both as a family dog and as a sovereign companion. She does not want to be a city dog, and an ideal situation would be a garden of her own, with the possibility of deciding whether to lounge on the carpet or secure the neighborhood.

DE·Show original

Fiona ist eine junge, bildhübsche Dame, die aktuell im Tierheim der ArcoNatura auf ihre Familie wartet. Sie wurde im Alter von vier Monaten von einer Spaziergängerin allein und verlassen im Feld gefunden. Fionas Retterin nahm das Riesenbaby zunächst bei sich auf und versuchte, ein Zuhause für sie zu finden. Da diese Suche aber erfolglos blieb und die tierliebe Dame selbst bereits vier Hunde hat, bat sie schließlich unsere Partner in Linares um Hilfe. Im Oktober zog die XXL-Knutschkugel also ins Tierheim ein. Fiona ist im Moment etwa 66 cm hoch, aber Herdenschutzhunde wachsen die ersten drei Jahre (wenn auch nach dem ersten Jahr nicht mehr so schnell), sie ist schon kastriert, hat ein blütenreines Gesundheitszeugnis und vor allem zeigt der lustige Backfisch ein freundliches, fröhliches Wesen. Sie ist sehr sozial, versteht sich gut mit anderen Hunden, Katzen und Kindern und zeigt sich Menschen gegenüber ausgesprochen liebevoll und aufgeschlossen. Sie spielt gerne mit Spielzeug und ist insgesamt eine unkomplizierte Begleiterin. Fiona ist bei aller Niedlichkeit aber auch ein Herdenschutzhund, mit den klassischen Eigenschaften eines Mastin Espagnol: Sie ist wachsam, souverän und besitzt eine natürliche Ruhe, die manche als Sturheit missinterpretieren. Vor einigen Jahrzehnten wurden in die bestehenden Linien der Mastins Bernhardiner eingekreuzt, um den Charakter der Herdenschutzhunde noch mehr zu entschärfen. In Spanien werden die Hunde sich nicht mehr Bären oder Wölfen in den Weg stellen müssen, aber sie müssen streunenden Hunden überlegen sein und gleichzeitig ein Herz für unvorsichtige Touristen haben, die unbesorgt mitten in die Herden latschen. Fiona hat unübersehbar diese Bernhardiner-Linie in sich, sie ist daher nicht nur ein zuverlässiger Wächter, sondern auch eine Hündin, die sich gut in eine Familie integrieren lässt, wenn man ihr dort rassegerechte Aufgaben geben kann. Herdenschutzhunde wie Fiona sind selbstständig und intelligent. Sie brauchen eine Bezugsperson, die ihnen mit Ruhe und Klarheit begegnet und ihnen Lebensinhalt gibt. Gleichzeitig sind sie sehr loyal und entwickeln eine enge Bindung zu ihrer Familie. Fiona eignet sich besonders für Menschen, die einen großen, sanften Hund suchen, der sowohl Schutz bietet als auch ein Herz aus Gold hat. Wer Fiona adoptiert, bekommt eine junge Hündin mit viel Potenzial, die sowohl als Familienhund als auch als souveräne Begleiterin glücklich ist. Stadthund will sie aber nicht werden, ein eigener Garten, mit der Möglichkeit, selbst zu entscheiden, wann man lieber auf dem Teppich lümmelt statt die Nachbarschaft abzusichern, wäre ideal.

Size
Large
Age
Location
🇩🇪Gernsbach
Shelter
Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V.
Living with Fiona &#8211
  • Spayed
  • Good with kids
Cared for by Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. · GernsbachLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 2 months ago

Bringing Fiona &#8211 home

What you'll need for Fiona &#8211 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 Fiona &#8211

What life with Fiona &#8211 looks like

Fiona &#8211 is a large adult mixed breed dog waiting at Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. in Gernsbach.

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.

Gernsbach, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Fiona &#8211, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Fiona &#8211?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Fiona &#8211 on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Fiona &#8211 if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierschutzverein ARCA 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 Fiona &#8211 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 Fiona &#8211 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 Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. early rather than rehoming privately; they know Fiona &#8211 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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