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Adopt Leo

German Shepherd · Male · Senior · 10 years

Leo has been with us at our shelter since October 2018. Upon his arrival, it was clear that he had not made good experiences with people in the past. He shows strong mistrust towards strangers, especially men, and tends to keep them at a distance. In stressful situations, he can quickly become overwhelmed – it is important to intervene early and guide him out of the situation safely. However, if Leo builds trust, he shows a completely different side: loyal, attentive, and protective. For his primary caregiver, he will go through fire. He develops a close bond and within his secure environment, he willingly takes on the role of a reliable guard dog. Spontaneous walks in a familiar environment are well-managed by him – he keeps unfamiliar people or dogs at a distance. For safety, he wears a muzzle, which he accepts without issue. We are looking for dog-experienced people to adopt Leo who can assess his behavior and are willing to lead him responsibly. He requires a quiet home in a rural area with direct access to a secure garden or yard. Closed spaces stress him greatly – therefore, an outdoor area that he can use independently at any time is essential for his well-being. A confident, well-socialized single dog could provide orientation for Leo, as he shows overall social compatibility in controlled dog interactions. Leo also generally gets along well with cats. However, a household with children is not suitable, as Leo requires retreat options and a stable, low-stress environment. Leo is not a beginner dog. However, those who meet him with patience, clarity, and respect will be rewarded with a sensitive and loyal companion who can develop well in a safe and suitable environment.

Read original (de)

Leo lebt bereits seit Oktober 2018 bei uns im Tierheim. Schon bei seiner Ankunft war deutlich, dass er in der Vergangenheit keine guten Erfahrungen mit Menschen gemacht hat. Gegenüber Fremden, insbesondere Männern, zeigt er ein starkes Misstrauen und neigt dazu, sie auf Abstand zu halten. In belastenden Situationen kann er schnell überfordert reagieren – hier ist es wichtig, frühzeitig gegenzusteuern und ihn sicher aus der Situation zu führen. Hat Leo jedoch Vertrauen gefasst, zeigt er sich von einer ganz anderen Seite: loyal, aufmerksam und schutzbereit. Für seine Bezugsperson geht er sprichwörtlich durchs Feuer. Er entwickelt eine enge Bindung und übernimmt innerhalb seines sicheren Umfelds gerne die Rolle eines verlässlichen Wachhundes. Spaziergänge im bekannten Umfeld meistert er gut – fremde Menschen oder Hunde hält er allerdings lieber auf Distanz. Zur Sicherheit trägt er dabei einen Maulkorb, den er problemlos akzeptiert. Für Leo suchen wir hundeerfahrene Menschen, die seine Verhaltensweisen einschätzen können und bereit sind, ihn verantwortungsvoll zu führen. Er benötigt ein ruhiges Zuhause in ländlicher Umgebung mit direktem Zugang zu einem gesicherten Garten oder Hof. Geschlossene Räume stressen ihn stark – deshalb ist ein Außenbereich, den er jederzeit selbstständig nutzen kann, für sein Wohlbefinden unerlässlich. Ein souveräner, gut sozialisierter Ersthund könnte Leo Orientierung bieten, denn in kontrollierten Hundekontakten zeigt er sich durchweg sozialverträglich. Auch mit Katzen kommt Leo in der Regel gut zurecht. Ein Haushalt mit Kindern ist jedoch nicht geeignet, da Leo Rückzugsmöglichkeiten und ein stabiles, reizarmes Umfeld benötigt. Leo ist kein Anfängerhund. Wer ihm jedoch mit Geduld, Klarheit und Respekt begegnet, wird mit einem sensiblen und treuen Weggefährten belohnt, der sich in einem sicheren und passenden Umfeld gut entwickeln kann.

Size
Large
Age
Senior · 10 years
Location
🇩🇪Ettlingen
Shelter
Tierheim Ettlingen
Living with Leo
  • House-trained
  • Neutered
  • Microchipped
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with cats
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Tierheim Ettlingen · EttlingenLearn about German Shepherd

Listed 1 week ago

Bringing Leo home

What you'll need for Leo 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 Leo

What life with Leo looks like

Leo is a large senior german shepherd dog waiting at Tierheim Ettlingen in Ettlingen.

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.

🇩🇪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.

Ettlingen, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Leo, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Leo?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Ettlingen handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Leo on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Leo if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Ettlingen 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 Leo 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 Leo 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 Ettlingen early rather than rehoming privately; they know Leo 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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Adopt Leo — 10yo German Shepherd in Ettlingen | TailHarbor