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Likely adopted

Smilla

Unknown · Senior · 11 years

Smilla came to the Eifelhof, as her owner had died and the family did not know what to do with her. The impressive Alabai dog had spent her whole life working as a poultry protection dog and knew neither life in the house nor how to behave there. Smilla has now settled in well at the Eifelhof, but she is also allowed to live in the main house with her caretaker. The Grand Madame did not want to stay in the doghouse at all and broke a window out of its hinges and ran away. In the household, she is very relaxed, calm, and enjoys life on the couch instead of in the chicken coop. She is people-oriented, cuddly, and currently lives in a mixed dog group. She largely ignores her fellow animals. It is clear that she is not familiar with social interactions with other animals. Smilla could certainly be rehomed as a second dog, but it requires experience and a good eye for situations that can become tense (e.g., resources, dynamics at the fence). As a true Alabai, Smilla, affectionately called Godsmilla (in reference to Godzilla), needs a stable and high fenced garden that she can defend. She does this with full dedication and seriousness.

DE·Show original

Smilla kam auf den Eifelhof, da ihr Besitzer verstorben war und man innerhalb der Familie nicht wusste, was man mit ihr nun machen sollte. Die stattliche Alabaihündin hat ihr ganzes Leben ihren Dienst als Geflügel-Schutzhund getan und kannte weder das Leben im Haus, noch wie man sich dort verhält. Smilla hat sich mittlerweile gut auf dem Eifelhof eingelebt, allerdings darf sie auch im Wohnhaus bei ihrer Pflegerin wohnen. Die Grand Madame wollte nämlich keinesfalls im Hundehaus bleiben und riss kurzum ein Fenster aus den Angeln und türmte. Im Haushalt ist sie sehr entspannt, ruhig und genießt das Leben auf der Couch statt im Hühnerstall. Sie ist menschenbezogen, verschmust und lebt aktuell in einer gemischten Hundegruppe. Ihre Artgenossen ignoriert sie weitgehend. Man merkt, dass sie soziale Interaktionen mit Artgenossen bisher nicht kannte. Smilla könnte durchaus als Zweithund vermittelt werden, es bedarf aber Erfahrung und ein gutes Auge für Situationen, die brenzlich werden können (z.B. Ressourcen, Dynamik am Zaun). Als waschechter Alabai braucht Smilla, hier liebevoll Godsmilla (in Anlehnung an Godzilla) genannt, einen stabil und hoch eingezäunten Garten, den sie verteidigen kann. Das tut sie nämlich mit voller Inbrunst und Ernsthaftigkeit.

Size
Age
Senior · 11 years
Location
🇩🇪Germany
Shelter
Eifelhof Frankenau (BMT)
Cared for by Eifelhof Frankenau (BMT) · Germany

Listed 3 months ago

Bringing Smilla home

What you'll need for Smilla 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.

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    €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 Smilla

What life with Smilla looks like

Smilla is a senior dog waiting at Eifelhof Frankenau (BMT) in Germany.

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.

Germany, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Smilla, answered.

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