Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Story
Aegon (ACCT-A-253874) is a striking Cane Corso mix looking for a rescue or experienced adopter who understands that trust takes time. While the shelter environment has been overwhelming for him, Aegon has shown that once he feels safe, he is capable of accepting gentle handling, taking treats politely, and even seeking out a little affection. He isn’t the type of dog who will immediately greet every stranger with a wagging tail—instead, he’s looking for someone willing to let him settle in at his own pace and build a relationship based on patience and respect.
According to his previous owner, Aegon was raised in a loving home, is fully housebroken, crate trained, and has a medium energy level. He enjoys rope toys, crinkly stuffed animals, sturdy bones (no rawhide), and spending time with his people. He previously lived successfully with a cat that he tried to play with, and his owner described him as affectionate at home. They noted that he tends to position himself between his person and unfamiliar people, and that while he generally improves with time, introductions to new people should always be slow and carefully managed.
The shelter has found that Aegon is understandably stressed by the busy kennel environment. He can initially appear tense, growl, avoid eye contact, or hesitate to leave his kennel, especially with unfamiliar handlers or in noisy areas. Food, particularly cheese, has helped him build confidence, and once outside he has tolerated handling, accepted vaccinations, and even leaned into handlers for brief moments of affection. Because of his size and strength, staff have used multiple leashes during outings as an added safety precaution while he gains confidence.
Aegon would do best with an experienced adult adopter who is comfortable managing a large guardian breed and committed to continuing positive reinforcement training and slow introductions to new people. He has been reported to be uncomfortable with other dogs and should not be expected to socialize with them. Due to his behavioral history, he is not eligible for placement in a home with children. While he previously lived peacefully with a cat, any introductions to resident pets should be done thoughtfully and gradually.
If you’re looking for a loyal companion and are willing to earn his trust, Aegon may be the devoted best friend you’ve been searching for. With time, consistency, and an understanding home, he has the potential to leave the stress of the shelter behind and show the affectionate dog his previous family came to know and love.
Videos:
07/03/2026
Destiny O and Aegon leashed meet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94H-CjstbXE
Aegon the dog loves treats and pets!: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lsg7VyElxZE
Aegon enjoying butt scratches!: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OIcKPJde-1Q
Destiny O enjoying pets with Aegon!: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jvYH16_FQQc
Behavioral Notes:
07/04/2026 per staff:
Aegon was at the front of his kennel sitting quietly. He looked at me with soft eyes. I tossed a few treats in, which he ate. I then gave treats by hand, which he took very gently. Very sweet and a gentle giant.
07/03/2026 per staff:
Able to do bordetella and barrier today with food distraction quite easily. Observed him being very social, friendly, loose and wiggly
To multiple new handlers (1 male), and walking back thru kennels normally and relaxed, middle tail, loose body
07/02/2026 Per staff behavioral eval:
Kennel Presentation: At the front of the kennel when I approached he gave a low growl. Soft/wide eyes, ears to the side and mid tail not moving. Offer hot dogs at first, did not eat. Then offered some cheese which he took.
Leash Skills: Remained at the front of the kennel, dodged the leash. Once leash he slowly came out and the pancaked on the floor and was backing up. Double leashed and used Leah's pressure to keep going. He pulled hard coming out of the door. Exit searching.
Sociability: In the yard we were able to drop one of the leash and he leaned into my legs. I was able to pet from his shoulder down. Mid loose wagging nub, soft eyes and open mouth panting. Knows sit and can catch treats like a champ.
Play: n/a
Dog Interaction: Good greetings with morel. Moved away on his own.
Return to Kennel: Pulled hard back when we made out away to the door to the building. Need leash pressure. Went right into kennel and slipped the leashed off.
Color Level: Exp Blue
07/02/2026 per staff:
met Morel - MIddle tagging wagging fast, sniffed, curious, moves away, some avoidance after sniffing.
Peed and pooped outside.
Added dog selective waiver as owner indicated he's not been good with other dogs.
07/01/2026 per staff:
Aegon was in the front side when we approached his kennel. Wide/soft eyes, furrowed brow, ears forward and mid tail not moving. Tossed a few treats and he came through the guillotine to the backside. Opened the kennel door and he low growled with a closed mouth. Tossed more treats in and he continued eating. When i presented the leash he backed up and low growled again. Body remained the same, tense with ears forward. This time he stopped watching the hot dogs or the chicken. Tried PB but did not eat that either. Then tried cheese slices, which he ate. Lasso’d and was able to get the leash on, he placed his paw on the leash pushing down and then laid down. Leash slipped off and i lassoed again and was able to get it fully on. He slowly came out and another member of the behavior team double leashed. He walked slowly and the began to panic. He pancaked on to the floor and pulling back. To reduce pressure on his neck we used a third leash under his stomach. Once outside he was heavy panting, eyes darting and exit searching. He was tolerant of petting and occasionally would lean his body into my legs. Returning he pulled back hard on the leash and again we needed three handlers and three leashes while a fourth person held doors. Once moving he walked to his kennel and went right in. Had the leashes clip and slipped them off.
07/01/2026 per staff behavioral eval:
Kennel Presentation: in kennel standing, tail pasted down, closed mouth, growling, whale eye. Ignoring most high value food, eventually ate cheese! Once leashed came
Slowly out of kennel and pancaked
Leash Skills: had to be magic carpet ride handlers going outside and coming back inside, once outside pulled hard, exit searching, tail
Middle wagging fast, heavy panting (likely at least partially from stress), eyes darting. Double leashed for handler safety due to size and strength out of an abundance of caution. Balked hard at the doorway when coming back in.
Sociability: tolerant of handlers touching him, solicited attention once for 4 seconds. Tolerant of prong collar being removed, took treats increasingly harder as we proceeded with vaccination
Tolerant for vaccination, less is more, somewhat able to be distracted with food but mostly not. Balked at restraint
Play: did not do
Dog Interaction: did not see any dogs, unfazed walking thru kennels
Return to Kennel: coming back inside had to magic carpet ride outside, walked more upright and willingly than when going out. Walked easily
Into the kennel
Color Level: exp blue
07/01/2026 per staff
Aca attempted later yesterday to get him out for check in and was unable to
06/30/2026 per staff
Attempted to get Aegon out for possible check in. He was on the back side of the kennel. Wide eyes, ears forward and tense body. Tossed a few treats in and at first did not eat them. Began eating the treats and when the leash was presented he flinched back low growling with a tight closed mouth. Placed the leash in the kennel on the ground and put treats in the leash loop. Aegon slowly came forward to eat them, however if there was even the slightest movement he would jump back and began low growling.
06/28/2026 per staff;
Intake coordinator mentioned the dog lunged at aca. I came up to him with baby talk, he was wiggling his butt and wagging his nub. His ears perked high, eagerly sniffing me while his owner was holding his leash. He sniffed my pouch for treats, I held the treat in my hand as I stood sideways to him. He took the treats very gently and sat for more. Aegon was very friendly with me but due to a crowd of people in intake lobby, I had him walk the dog around back.
When me and another staff member double leashed, (because of his size) he was fine until we opened the back door. He started to pancake at the door and pull back on leash most likely because it was very loud with a lot of barking going on.
He went into kennel without much issues. Suggested medication just to reduce anxiety in kennel, will attempt to check in today 6/29.
*May prefer women handlers
06/28/2026 per staff:
On the backside of his kennel, wide eyes, ears back, low growing, avoiding eye contact, tense body, high tail. Tossed in treats which he ate, would hard bark while backing up then go back to avoiding eye contact.
06/28/2026 Per Staff
Saw dog being walked back to kennels double leashed. Was slipping a bit on the floor. WHen they got to the kennel dog pancaked. ACAs double clipped the leash and were able to encourage him into the kennel and while it was not until the last minute he stepped up and into it after pulling back. They shut the door after unclipping leashes. A staff member later came and tossed his favorite toys into the kennel
06/28/2026 Per staff:
Did great with me and another female took treats very nicely and sat had a loose body wiggle tail but did get a little nervous with a male aca did back up tail tuck lunged a little forward did a light air snap and backed right up again
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
