Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Story
Double Dutch came to ACCT Philly on October 20th as an owner surrender after her owner became too ill to care for her. She had been with her person for years, and by all accounts she is a loving companion who was very much part of the family. Dutch is a sweet senior girl who adores people. Her owner describes her as super friendly with strangers and children, and she is fully housebroken, walks calmly on leash, and knows sit, down, stay, wait, and off. She is happiest simply hanging out with her people. Like many dogs, she was a little shy when she first arrived at the shelter, but she warmed up quickly, took treats gently, tolerated handling, and relaxed once she was outside. She has shown some tension around other dogs, so she will likely shine brightest as the only dog in a calm home or one where introductions are taken slowly. Dutch would thrive with someone who can offer a quiet, predictable routine, gentle companionship, and plenty of patience while she settles into her next chapter.
Videos:
Playing with Double Dutch: https://youtube.com/shorts/ryKS-srMP-U?is=eRxLPHN_1HDi650D
DD takes treats gently: https://youtube.com/shorts/fTET2qZW990?is=ygZlGiSF-on443wq
Double Dutch knows sit! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0hkk4av1w_8
Taj and Double Dutch: https://youtu.be/e7iz_ZpFlCQ?is=tsTFBaOQkwSZyywU
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
Per Volunteer 11/3/2026: On her bed when I approached and calmly came forward. Gently pushed on the door when I went to leash her and I very easily looped her neck. She does pull moderately on leash. She’s pretty strong for an older gal! In the play yard, she is so playful and pretty energetic! She loves to run around with stuffies in her mouth and was totally fine with me approaching them, would playfully grab them from in front of me. She is pretty treat motivated and can be very snatchy with them so recommend an open palm. She keeps playfully picking up her leash and kind of just running around with it in her mouth. Seems to be very interested in playing. Took some pets from me with a loose body and wide wagging tail, didn’t solicit them out too actively. She is mouthy in the way that she interacts where she will greet you with an open mouth and playfully nibble. Very treat motivated so should be very trainable even at her age! Leash biting quite a bit when we went to leave the play yard. I ended up breaking my treats into a bunch of little pieces and guiding her out by dropping them. Once we got out of the yard, she stopped and walked back in nicely, then easily walked back into her kennel.
Per volunteer 11/1:
Double Dutch was playing with/biting her leash and managed to get out of it in the play yard, continued to play with it making it hard to get it away from her: "I'd recommend they have a second slip lead and it was only in the yard, and I couldn't distract her with a toy. Treats were helpful."
Per staff 10/22: Tail down, ears to the side. Based on the owner notes we aired on the side of caution and did a leash meet. Her eyes were softest, ears to the side and mid tail loosely wagging. Did a small muzzle punch towards another dog when they were face to face and able to move away on her own. Another dog was on the outside of the fence and Dutches came up, was stiff, as the dog walked away she lunged forward muzzle punching.
Per staff 10/22: Kennel Presentation: At the front of her kennel, wide eyes, ears pinned back, tenser body, tail low. Offered a treat which she took gently and backed up. Came forward slowly for another treat. Leash Skills: Dodged the leash at first, able to leash after a second she slowly stepped out. Walked pulling mildly, slightly body tense, low tail. Looser body once outside. Sociability: Tolerant of handling, slightly tense body, tail low, ears back, moving away when I stopped. Eating on and off outside, would take the treats gently. Tolerant of me putting a collar on her, tail low, ears back, did some lip licks towards the end and then moved away.
Play: N/A Dog Interaction: Was in playgroup.
Return to Kennel: ACA took back to kennel, noted that she walked back with no issues, stopped outside her kennel, hopped in for a treat and leash was removed with clip.
Color Level: Blue
Per owner surrender notes 10/20: Fully housebroken. Had never been in a crate. Medium energy. Walks calmly with no pulling. Knows her name, Sit, Down, Lay down, No, Off, Stay, Wait. Doesn't usually play with toys. Favorite activity is hanging out with owners. Super friendly with strangers and children. Aggressive/reactive towards other dogs. Has not been around cats or wildlife. Favorite thing about her is companionship.
Per owner surrender notes 10/20: Friendly. Loving.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313
