Hilda

Hilda is a large Romanian shepherd cross. Her passport says she was born Feb 2019 but she acts a bit older than six. We have been a part of Hilda’s life and her a part of ours for years. She was in the private shelter in Crivatu Romania the very first time we visited and stayed there until 2024. Hilda is a large dog with a calm presence. She moves with grace and poise and is quite regal in her demeanour. She will avoid strangers if she can but once she is used to the people in the home she will choose to be close by and always looks like she wants to come for a fuss but she’s just not quite ready yet. When you go to her she is happy to be fussed and groomed and will fall asleep with her head on your lap. Hilda is not keen on her walks and really doesn’t want to go for more than fifteen minutes. We are not sure if this is a crisis of confidence or if it’s a mobility issue, she’s a difficult dog to read. She walks nicely on a lead but can panic when spooked so we are looking for a rural home for her as she will not cope with a lot of traffic or crowds. Despite her fears Hilda is such a gentle dog, she will need a calm and quiet environment with no children under twelve and with at least one other dog. It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period. Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure. The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm. Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted. Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer. Retractable / extendable leads must never be used on our dogs. Fences and gates must be 5foot minimum in height and secure. Select CountyAvonBedfordshireBerkshireBordersBuckinghamshireCambridgeshireCentralCheshireClevelandClwydCornwallCounty AntrimCounty ArmaghCounty DownCounty FermanaghCounty LondonderryCounty TyroneCumbriaDerbyshireDevonDorsetDumfries and GallowayDurhamDyfedEast SussexEssexFifeGloucestershireGrampianGreater ManchesterGwentGwynedd CountyHampshireHerefordshireHertfordshireHighlands and IslandsHumbersideIsle of ManIsle of WightKentLancashireLeicestershireLincolnshireLondonLothianMerseysideMid GlamorganMiddlesexNorfolkNorth YorkshireNorthamptonshireNorthumberlandNottinghamshireOxfordshirePowysRutlandShropshireSomersetSouth GlamorganSouth YorkshireStaffordshireStrathclydeSuffolkSurreyTaysideTyne and WearWarwickshireWest GlamorganWest MidlandsWest SussexWest YorkshireWiltshireWorcestershire