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Adopt Max

German Shepherd · Male · 4 years

Hello dear ones, I am the big Max and I am ready to move into my new home. My past was unfortunately not very pretty. From physical punishment to almost no walks, pretty much everything was bad. But now I have been here for a while, and the caretakers and my foster parents have shown me how wonderful life can be. With familiar people, I can now really let my guard down. I love being brushed, cuddled, and taking calm walks. New people are initially observed, but with a bit of time and the occasional good cookie, they earn my trust. What do I wish for my future life? An apartment with a garden would be great. I like to lie in the sun for hours and dream. My caretakers think a quiet doggy grandma by my side would be perfect. Children should already be in their teenage years, as I struggle to judge restless or hectic people. Would you now give me your heart?

Read original (de)

Hallo ihr Lieben, ich bin der große Max und bin bereit in mein neues Zuhause zu ziehen. Meine Vergangenheit war leider überhaupt nicht so schön. Von körperlicher Maßreglung bis hin zu fast keinem Auslauf, war im Prinzip alles dabei. Nun bin ich aber schon eine Zeit lang hier und die Pfleger und auch meine Gassigeher haben mir gezeigt, wie schön das Leben eigentlich sein kann. Bei vertrauten Personen kann ich mich mittlerweile richtig fallen lassen, ich liebe es gebürstet zu werden, zu kuscheln und ruhige Runden zu laufen. Neue Menschen werden erst einmal beäugt, aber mit ein bisschen Zeit und dem ein oder anderen guten Keks, gewinnt man mein Vertrauen. Was wünsche ich mir jetzt für mein zukünftiges Leben? Ein ebenerdiges Zuhause mit Garten, das wäre großartig. Ich liege gerne stundenlang in der Sonne und träume so vor mich hin. Eine ruhige Hundedame an meiner Seite könnten sich meine Pfleger gut vorstellen. Kinder sollten bereits im Teenageralter sein, da ich unruhige bzw. hektische Personen schlecht einschätzen kann. Möchtest du mir jetzt dein Herz schenken?

Size
Large
Age
4 years
Location
🇩🇪Essen
Shelter
Tierheim Essen
Living with Max
  • Neutered
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
  • Has special needs
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Cared for by Tierheim Essen · EssenLearn about German Shepherd

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Max home

What you'll need for Max 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 Max

What life with Max looks like

Max is a large adult german shepherd dog waiting at Tierheim Essen in Essen.

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.

Note from the shelter: Requires patient owner due to traumatic past, needs single-story home with garden

🇩🇪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.

Essen, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Max, answered.

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