Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
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Story
Meet Wella — a sensitive, thoughtful girl who is looking for a calm, experienced home where she can feel safe and understood. Wella can be a little nervous when first meeting new people or navigating unfamiliar situations, but with patience and a handler she trusts, she shows a sweet, affiliative side. She takes treats gently, enjoys quiet affection like soft pets under the chin, and walks beautifully on a loose leash right by your side. Once she’s comfortable, her soft eyes and subtle ways of seeking closeness really shine.
Wella does best with people who understand fearful dogs and can read canine body language. She may need encouragement with transitions and can feel overwhelmed in open or high-stimulation environments, sometimes choosing distance when unsure. Because of this, she’s looking for an experienced adopter who can provide structure, consistency, and a low-pressure environment while helping her build confidence at her own pace. With the right person, Wella has the potential to blossom into a deeply loyal companion who thrives on trust and calm connection.
Behavior Notes:
Per staff 2/3/26: removing the “bad dog meet attribute” and related waiver- She was growling and stiff at times but I would say while it was not good, it’s not necessarily bad either.
Needs further testing
Per staff 1/31/26: Per Aca, may avoid some people, took into an office, was affiliative with the handler and female Aca. Met her in kennel with a handler familiar to her, took treat gently, tail pasted down, soft eyes, pet on neck and under chin.
Needs breed experience and experience with fearful dogs
Volunteer 1/30: Needed encouragement to come out. Lovely on leash and took treats gently. Out in the play yard she decided to run around on the hard snow and then would not come for treats or let me get near enough to grab her leash. I called for help and we were able to get her back in. Seems nervous.
Per staff 1/30/26: Volunteer called for assistance stating that she could not catch Wella in the yard. I went out to assist and Wella was exit searching and avoiding her handler. I went into the yard and she immediately darted towards the open gate (was able to shut in time) and had a tense and stiff body, froze a foot away from me and was intensely whale eyeing me while completely still, tense bodied and tail tucked. I was not comfortable grabbing her leash due to her body language, so I went to grab the furthest end of the leash from her that was in the snow and as soon as I did, she darted again but I was able to catch it and the volunteer took possession of the leash and walked her back into the building. She froze a few times, but was able to be led back to kennel.
I followed up with the volunteer afterwards and she said that Wella dodged the leash a few times in kennel and needed some coaxing to come out but walked fine. She also allowed petting and accepted treats (took gently) on the walk but as soon as they got in the yard, she ran to the far end and would dodge her handler. She noted that Wella pooped while running from her. She then called for assistance with getting her back in kennel.
Per staff 1/29/26: Kennel Presentation: Laying on the bed when I approached. Wide eyes, furrowed brow with ears forward. Tossed a treat in and she ate it.
Leash Skills: She was still laying down when I opened the door and presented the leash. She turned her head, I tossed another treat and was able to loop her. Once leash was one she walked out of kennel. Walks right next to you on a loose leash.
Sociability: Sensitively social. I knelt down and she was standing next to me, I reached out and was did a consent pet. When I stopped she moved closer to me, her head was low with soft eyes and ears to the side.
Play: n/a
Dog Interaction: Brought Honey girl into the eval room when she entered wella's ears went back with pressed lips and a low growl along with hackles raised. Honey girl turned away and wanted no issues.
Return to Kennel: Went right into kennel without issue.
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
