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Zikos

Mixed Breed · Male · Young · 2 years

Male Zikos, born approx. 11/2024, shoulder height approx. 60–65 cm, weight approx. 24 kilos, basket wanted from now on. Eleni (brown, reserved) and Zikos (black), born approx. November 2024, are siblings and have so far not had many opportunities to get to know the wide world. Both are very sensitive and insecure dogs who quickly become overwhelmed in new situations and need time to build trust. Unfamiliar people and new environments are currently still very difficult for them. In their familiar surroundings, the two show themselves to be cautious and attentive. At the kennel, they sometimes react very excitedly when strangers or other stimuli approach them. Behind this, however, lies mainly fear and insecurity. They simply do not yet know how to deal with such situations and need people who can give them guidance and security. Outside the kennel, the two are still very insecure as well. Zikos has so far had little experience with leashes and walks. During the first attempts he was accordingly startled and hardly knew how to cope with the unfamiliar situation. Eleni is somewhat more open outdoors and already shows her first curious moments, but she likewise remains a very cautious and fearful female. We believe that both can show a completely different side of themselves with the right environment, plenty of patience, and people who convey security to them. To make this possible, they first need the chance to settle in calmly and gather positive experiences step by step. Eleni and Zikos should absolutely be placed separately from one another. Both need the opportunity to gather their own experiences and build trust independently of each other. For each of them we are looking for a very quiet, rural home with dog-experienced people who understand what it means to give a fearful dog security. A well-fenced, secure garden is especially important. There should be no small children in the new home, as a turbulent family routine would presumably overwhelm the two at present. Their future people must be willing to give them a great deal of time, patience, and understanding. Life as a family dog, walks, the leash, everyday noises, and many other things still need to be learned. Progress may not always come quickly, but every small step will be all the more valuable. Eleni and Zikos need people who are not looking for a finished, confident dog, but who are willing to walk the path there together with an insecure dog. Anyone who feels up to this task and can offer them a stable, loving, and safe home may be the person for one of the two that they have been waiting for for so long. We do not place in very urban living situations or in families with toddlers. Please only submit an adoption request if taking the dog at the time stated in the text is possible and you have already discussed the adoption of a new family member with your family (and, where applicable, other involved parties such as employers, landlords, or interim caregivers). Please note that the dogs described here are currently in their large foster placement or in the animal shelter, in a limited, secure environment, and have little contact with other people or environmental stimuli outside the property. The descriptions are based on their behavior in this familiar environment. Puppies and young dogs in particular are still developing their character. For a successful settling-in period in a new home, they need time, patience, and loving guidance to become accustomed to the new surroundings and various stimuli and to grow into secure dogs.

DE·Show original

Rüde Zikos, geboren ca. 11/2024, Schulterhöhe ca. 60-65 cm, ca. 24 Kilo Gewicht, Körbchen ab sofort gesucht. Eleni (braun, reserviert) und Zikos (schwarz), geboren ca. November 2024, sind Geschwister und haben bislang noch nicht viel von der großen weiten Welt kennenlernen dürfen. Beide sind sehr sensible und unsichere Hunde, die in neuen Situationen schnell überfordert sind und Zeit brauchen, um Vertrauen zu fassen. Besonders unbekannte Menschen und neue Umgebungen fallen ihnen momentan noch schwer. In ihrer vertrauten Umgebung zeigen sich die beiden vorsichtig und aufmerksam. Am Zwinger reagieren sie teilweise sehr aufgeregt, wenn fremde Menschen oder andere Reize auf sie zukommen. Dahinter steckt jedoch vor allem Angst und Unsicherheit. Sie wissen schlicht noch nicht, wie sie mit solchen Situationen umgehen sollen und brauchen Menschen, die ihnen Orientierung und Sicherheit geben. Auch außerhalb des Zwingers sind die beiden noch sehr unsicher. Zikos hat bislang kaum Erfahrungen mit Leine und Spaziergängen sammeln können. Bei den ersten Versuchen war er entsprechend schreckhaft und wusste mit der ungewohnten Situation kaum umzugehen. Eleni ist draußen etwas aufgeschlossener und zeigt bereits erste neugierige Momente, bleibt aber ebenfalls eine sehr vorsichtige und ängstliche Hündin. Wir glauben, dass beide mit der richtigen Umgebung, viel Geduld und Menschen, die ihnen Sicherheit vermitteln, noch eine ganz andere Seite zeigen können. Dafür müssen sie zunächst die Möglichkeit bekommen, in Ruhe anzukommen und Schritt für Schritt positive Erfahrungen zu sammeln. Eleni und Zikos sollten unbedingt getrennt voneinander vermittelt werden. Beide brauchen die Möglichkeit, eigene Erfahrungen zu sammeln und Vertrauen unabhängig voneinander aufzubauen. Für die beiden suchen wir jeweils ein sehr ruhiges, ländliches Zuhause bei hundeerfahrenen Menschen, die wissen, was es bedeutet, einem ängstlichen Hund Sicherheit zu geben. Ein gut und sicher eingezäunter Garten ist dabei besonders wichtig. Kleine Kinder sollte es im neuen Zuhause nicht geben, da ein turbulenter Familienalltag die beiden aktuell vermutlich überfordern würde. Ihre zukünftigen Menschen müssen bereit sein, ihnen sehr viel Zeit, Geduld und Verständnis entgegenzubringen. Das Leben als Familienhund, Spaziergänge, Leine, Alltagsgeräusche und viele andere Dinge müssen sie erst kennenlernen. Fortschritte werden vielleicht nicht immer schnell kommen – aber jeder kleine Schritt wird dafür umso wertvoller sein. Eleni und Zikos brauchen Menschen, die nicht den fertigen, souveränen Hund suchen, sondern bereit sind, gemeinsam mit einem unsicheren Hund den Weg dorthin zu gehen. Wer sich dieser Aufgabe gewachsen fühlt und ihnen ein stabiles, liebevolles und sicheres Zuhause schenken kann, könnte für einen der beiden der Mensch sein, auf den sie schon so lange warten. Wir vermitteln nicht in sehr städtische Wohnlage sowie in Familien mit Kleinkindern. Bitte stellen Sie nur eine Adoptionsanfrage, wenn die Übernahme zum im Text genannten Zeitpunkt möglich ist & Sie die Aufnahme eines neuen Familienmitglieds bereits mit Ihrer Familie (ggf. weiteren involvierten Personen wie Arbeitgeber, Vermieter, Zwischenbetreuung) besprochen haben. Bitte beachten Sie, dass sich die hier beschriebenen Hunde derzeit in ihrer Großpflegestelle oder im Tierheim in einer begrenzten, sicheren Umgebung aufhalten und wenig Kontakt zu anderen Menschen oder Umweltreizen außerhalb des Grundstücks haben. Die Beschreibungen basieren auf dem Verhalten in dieser vertrauten Umgebung. Insbesondere Welpen und Junghunde sind zudem noch in der Entwicklung ihres Charakters. Für eine erfolgreiche Eingewöhnung in ein neues Zuhause benötigen sie Zeit, Geduld und liebevolle Anleitung, um sich an die neue Umgebung und die verschiedenen Reize zu gewöhnen und zu sicheren Hunden heranzuwachsen.

Size
Large
Age
Young · 2 years
Location
🇩🇪Germany
Shelter
Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion)
Living with Zikos
  • ✓Good with kids
Cared for by Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion) · GermanyLearn about Mixed Breed →

Listed 2 weeks ago

Bringing Zikos home

What you'll need for Zikos 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 Zikos

What life with Zikos looks like

Zikos is a large young adult mixed breed dog waiting at Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion) in Germany.

A young 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 Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Dogs and cats typically leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with an EU pet passport.

Germany, Germany — browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Zikos, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Zikos?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion) handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Zikos on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Zikos if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion) 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. Transport is usually a separate cost, so ask for the exact figure before you commit.
Is Zikos 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 Zikos 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 Kreta Hunde (Tierschutz Heraklion) early rather than rehoming privately; they know Zikos 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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