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Murphy

Unknown · Adult · 4 years

4 Years Old | Neutered | Children 14+ | No Cats or small animals Murphy is a young American Bulldog with a heart full of love, a body full of excitement, and a brain that’s learning how to slow down.Rescued from the pound by Team Poundie after being surrendered by his original owners, Murphy’s story is all too familiar—too giddy, too excitable, and simply too much for a home that didn’t have the tools to support him.But under the care of our dedicated team, Murphy has made real progress. He’s now used to structure, boundaries, and positive reinforcement, and while he’s still a work in progress, what shines through is his sweet, unsure nature and his eagerness to please. Murphy is a big softie wrapped in a bouncy, boisterous body. He’s learning how to manage his impulses, and we’ve already seen huge improvements in his behaviour:“Once his initial excitement passes, he’s just a gentle, anxious boy trying his best.”He can hump or mount his handlers when overstimulated—usually when anticipating walks or exciting activities—but this is being managed well with training and consistency. Murphy’s journey is one of growth. In kennels, he’s learning how to regulate himself, respond to calm cues, and build trust with handlers. His reactivity around other dogs and people stems more from frustration and inexperience than true aggression. He thrives when he feels safe, and with the right handler, his confidence continues to blossom.He’s not food or toy possessive, and he shows no malice—just a lack of understanding about how to manage all the big feelings inside him. He needs a home where his training can continue, his signals are understood, and his giddy, lovable energy is given structure and support. No cats, small animals, or children under 14 (due to his excitability)An experienced bull breed owner—ideally with knowledge of reactive or undersocialised dogsA calm, patient, and confident handler who can offer routine, boundaries, and kindnessA few pre-adoption meetings to build trust and reduce overstimulationPossibly could live with a calm, well-balanced dog (with careful introductions)Continued training around impulse control and frustration management (we’ll support you!)Someone who sees past his “giddy” to the sweet, sensitive soul underneathMurphy isn’t a bad dog. He’s a good boy who simply hasn’t been given the right tools—yet. But with the right person by his side, we know he will thrive. Privacy Policy

Size
Extra large
Age
Adult · 4 years
Location
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Shelter
Team Poundie
Living with Murphy
  • Neutered
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with cats
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Team Poundie · United Kingdom

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Murphy home

What you'll need for Murphy 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 Murphy

What life with Murphy looks like

Murphy is a extra-large adult dog waiting at Team Poundie in United Kingdom.

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 United Kingdom

UK shelters work under the Pet Travel Scheme (post-Brexit, the EU pet passport is not valid; a UK Animal Health Certificate is required for travel into the EU). Most UK rescues focus on domestic placements but some work with EU partners.

United Kingdom, United Kingdom browse more dogs in United Kingdom.

Frequently asked

Adopting Murphy, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Murphy?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Team Poundie handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Murphy on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Murphy if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Team Poundie 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. UK adopters: post-Brexit travel into the EU requires an Animal Health Certificate. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Murphy 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 Murphy 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 Team Poundie early rather than rehoming privately; they know Murphy 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 (the shelter's own language). 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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