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Adopt Niko

Mixed Breed · Male · Senior · 12 years

loving, easygoing, clingy Although Niko is an opium, it seems someone forgot to tell him. As one of over 6,000 dogs in the Romanian Smeura shelter, he had the good fortune to be allowed to travel to us and since then, he enjoys every second of his life! While he still hasn't traded his kennel for a sofa yet, we are working on that ; -) Niko is a bundle of energy, and it's hard to believe when you see this older gentleman, but then he suddenly springs and runs... pure joy for life, and it's so beautiful to see him! He loves going for walks, still plays sometimes, is a bit of a glutton (and can jump pretty high for a supposed treat), and spreads nothing but good mood. He has quite a bit of strength on the leash and uses it to assert his desired direction change - so one should also be physically strong enough to counter it. He also uses his strength in situations he doesn't like, like when he has to endure an unpleasant treatment at the vet. We also secure him with a muzzle in such cases - the good thing is, he is not at all vengeful and with the famous "treat after" he is immediately calmed down. Niko is a big people lover who enjoys being cuddled closely and can be quite affectionate. But he has a lot to make up for - and even though he looks super-fit, he is an old dog who wants to enjoy every moment of life. Niko gets along well with other dogs and could also live as a second dog - whether he knows and likes cats, we unfortunately cannot say. Niko wishes for an apartment home with people who have plenty of time for cuddles and walks - and of course, lots of treats in their pockets ;-). He likes all people, but existing children should be older, as he is - as mentioned - quite affectionate and sometimes a bit rough and would simply run over small children. Please contact the responsible matchmaker if you would like to meet our Niko once.

Read original (de)

lieb, verträglich, anhänglich Das Niko ein Opi ist, hat man offenbar vergessen, ihm mitzuteilen. Als einer von über 6.000 Hunden in der rumänischen Smeura hatte er das Glück, zu uns ausreisen zu dürfen und seitdem genießt er jede Sekunde seines Lebens! Zwar konnte er den Zwinger noch nicht gegen ein Sofa eintauschen, aber daran arbeiten wir hier ja gerade ; -) Niko ist ein Energiebündel, man glaubt es kaum, wenn man diesen älteren Herrn sieht.. aber dann springt und rennt er plötzlich los... pure Lebensfreude und es ist so schön ihn so zu sehen! Er liebt es spazieren zu gehen, spielt noch gern, ist eeeetwas verfressen (und kann für ein vermutetes Leckerchen ganz schon hoch springen) und verbreitet einfach gute Laune. Er hat an der Leine ziemlich Kraft und nutzt diese auch gern, um seinen gewünschten Richtungswechsel durchzusetzen - man sollte also ebenfalls kräftetechnisch etwas dagegenzusetzen haben. Seine Kraft nutzt er auch gerne in Situationen, die ihm nicht behagen. z.B. wenn er beim Tierarzt eine unliebsame Behandlung ertragen soll. Hierbei sichern wir ihn auch mit dem Maulkorb ab - das Gute: er ist überhaupt nicht nachtragend und mit dem berühmten "Leckerchen danach" ist er sofort wieder besänftigt. Niko ist ein großer Menschenfreund, der es liebt, ganz eng an einen gekuschelt viele Streicheleinheiten zu genießen und kann dabei schon ziemlich distanzlos sein. Aber er hat eben auch ziemlich viel nachzuholen - und auch wenn er super-fit wirkt: er ist ein alter Hund, der eben auch jeden Moment des Lebens genießen will und muss. Niko ist mit anderen Hunden gut verträglich und könnte auch als Zweithund leben - ob er Katzen kennt und mag, können wir leider nicht sagen. Niko wünscht sich ein ebenerdiges Zuhause bei Menschen, die viel Zeit zum kuscheln und spazieren gehen haben - und natürlich auch viele Leckerchen in der Tasche ;-) Er mag alle Menschen, vorhandene Kinder sollten aber bereits älter sein, er ist - wie gesagt etwas distanzlos - und manchmal etwas grobmotorisch und würde kleinere Kinde einfach umrennen. Melden Sie sich gern bei der zuständigen Vermittlerin, wenn Sie unseren Niko gern einmal kennenlernen möchten.

Size
Large
Age
Senior · 12 years
Location
🇩🇪Essen
Shelter
4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt
Living with Niko
  • Vaccinated
  • Neutered
  • Microchipped
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by 4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt · EssenLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Niko home

What you'll need for Niko 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 Niko

What life with Niko looks like

Niko is a large senior mixed breed dog waiting at 4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt in Essen.

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.

Essen, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Niko, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Niko?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. 4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Niko on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Niko if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — 4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt 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 Niko 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 Niko 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 4animals e.V. — Hundeauffangstation HASt early rather than rehoming privately; they know Niko 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 Niko — 12yo Mixed Breed in Essen | TailHarbor