Thelma
Sex: Female / Age: approx. 3 years (October 2025) / Size: Large (approx. 30 kg)
🐾 Calm, affectionate, sociable
💥 Energy level: average
🐈 Not suitable for households with cats
🐕 Gets along well with other dogs
👶 Can be tested with children
👽 Gets along well with new people
❄ What makes Thelma unique: her beautiful white shaggy moustache!
Thelma was rescued from a government shelter in central Turkey in the summer of 2025. This area is known for the fact that there is little hope for stray dogs - with only a few animal lovers and an overwhelming number of dogs in need of help. Dogs in this area therefore have practically no hope of being rescued...
Thelma is an abandoned hunting dog, who probably had a home but was left behind when she was no longer needed. We doubt she ever received real love or affection. Despite this, Thelma is a very social dog who loves people. She is so grateful to finally be safe!
Thelma is a sweet dog with a stable character. She is friendly, not pushy, and generally very easy-going.
At the shelter, Thelma is very calm and happily goes about her own business. She is not bothered by the chaos of the busy shelter. She is friendly towards the other dogs and plays with them regularly, but she is also happy to do her own thing.
She does not like to share her food. She has earned it fairly and will not let anyone take it away from her. During mealtimes, she really wants to be left alone by the other dogs.
Thelma is incredibly sweet towards people and approaches them enthusiastically, both those she knows and strangers. She may jump up excitedly to say hello, but she remains calm and is not pushy or intrusive. She is not a spring chicken who just keeps going.
She will happily stand by your side and loves to get an extra pat on the head, but she won't constantly bother you for attention.
Once she gets that attention, she doesn't want to share it. It's her moment of happiness, and no one can take that away from her. She's just a little jealous at times like that. Afraid that someone will take her strokes and cuddles away.
At the vet, she is just as calm as she is at the shelter: she doesn't get stressed. She walks in calmly and enthusiastically and lies down quietly until it's her turn. Very nice!
When she is out for a walk, her hunting instinct is activated. For her, walking means nose to the ground and sniffing away! She follows all the scents and pays little attention to her surroundings, including the person walking her. In other words, you don't really matter. Were you the sweetest and nicest person before? Now you are invisible to her. Scents come first.
She is not bothered by traffic, loud noises or crowds; she is on a mission! She may pull on the leash out of enthusiasm. Everything that moves is interesting. On a recent walk, she even tried to catch two wild turtles!
It is important that, as an adopter, you enjoy training her, teaching her to focus on her owner(s) while walking, and not just being on her tracking mission. After all, you are supposed to walk your dog, not the other way around.
We expect Thelma to be an easy-going, calm, stable and sociable dog at home, who will not demand much from her adopters. She will give you lots of love.
If you are willing to train her to improve her focus on the leash, you will be rewarded with a very loyal, sweet and sociable dog!
Thelma is currently in Turkey and is ready to travel to the EU/United Kingdom.
Our dogs arrive microchipped, up to date on rabies and combination vaccines, spayed/neutered, dewormed, and flea-treated, and tested for heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania, and Anaplasma.
Before travelling, they see a vet for a final health check. If needed, their teeth are cleaned and X-rays are taken of any potential problem areas. Any concerns or potential health issues we are aware of will be communicated to you beforehand.
