Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Hades ACCT-A-212625 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to behavioral concerns, more specifically dog reactivity. Hades must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or ADOPTER by Sunday, March 30th at 10 A.M. Should Hades’ medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Hades! This 2.5-year-old German Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix is a high-energy, intelligent, and loving companion searching for the right home. Hades was deeply loved by his family, but after being attacked by an off-leash dog, he developed reactivity toward other dogs that they were unable to manage. While he previously lived with a dog and a cat, his history and recent evaluations suggest he would thrive best as the only pet in the home.
Hades is amazing with people—he's affectionate, eager to please, and loves to engage with his humans. He enjoys playing fetch (and will bark if you're too slow to throw the toy!), running, swimming, and learning new tricks. He’s fully housebroken, crate trained, and knows a long list of commands. Though he can be anxious in new environments, he seeks comfort from his people and bonds deeply with his handlers.
Due to his dog reactivity, Hades is looking for an experienced adopter, preferably someone familiar with shepherds or herding breeds. His ideal home would have a secure yard and be free of other animals, with patient owners who can provide structure and plenty of exercise. He would do best in a household with children 13 and older.
Hades is a fun, loyal, and active dog who just needs the right environment to thrive. If you’re looking for an adventure buddy who will shower you with love and devotion, Hades might be the perfect match!
Video:
Hades (with muzzle) with Crown and Hunter: https://youtube.com/shorts/GjPVNe6oWzU?feature=share
Behavior Notes:Per staff 3/26/25: Hades is great with people. Allows all handling and was able to be leashed easy and returned to kennel with no issue!
Playgroup 3/26/25: was muzzled during playgroup--growling, high tail, hackles raised, stiff. Disliked Hunter (male dog who sniffed him). Gave corrections, had to be removed from yard, muzzled stayed on.
Per volunteer 3/26/25: Hades is a friendly, social, and energetic 2-year-old pup looking for an experienced adopter, especially someone familiar with shepherds. While he’s a sweet and affectionate companion, he has shown some reactivity towards other dogs on walks. He will also chase cats and would do best in a home without them.
Hades thrives on human interaction, often seeking comfort from his people and loving pets. He’s playful and engaging, and he loves toys--he will bark when you're not fast enough to throw them! Though anxious in new situations, he’s eager to bond with his handler.
If you have the experience and patience to help Hades continue to grow into the best version of himself, he’ll reward you with loyalty, love, and lots of fun!
Per staff 3/26/25:
Making available to experienced adopters, especially those with shepherd experience. Owner noted that Hades has become reactive towards other dogs on walks, including their resident dog, but noted that he was less reactive when owners began walking the dogs separately. Hades has never bitten or attacked another animal per owner, but will bark and lunge towards other dogs when outside and will chase cats. Hades is also an intact 2 year old male and began displaying dog reactivity when he was 1 year old, so neutering may help to lessen his reactive behavior.
Per staff 3/24/25: KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Hades was at the front with a wagging tail and an open mouth. He was dodging the leash in the beginning but was able to be secured. Once secured he came right out.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pull moderately
HANDLING :
In the room, Hades came in with a mid level wagging tail and greeted the handlers with a smile. He was super friendly and social from the moment he saw another person and walked around trying to get his people to follow him. She refused all treats, whining and crying anxiously, consistently seeking comfort from his handlers. He sat patiently for the treats but didn't take anything of higher value. He allowed all handling and solicit for more face and ear rubs.
PLAY:
Engages in play
TOYS:
Takes possession, releases willingly, vocal with toys – barks when you don't throw it quick enough
Per owner 3/23/25: Breed - Shepherd, German/American Blue Heeler.
DOB - 06/01/2022.
The owners had him since he was 4 months old.
Very easy going inside, high energy; anxious and nervous outside.
Best thing about him: His eagerness to please, a great running dog, great cuddly buddy (for a few moments).
Lived with adults, large dogs, and cats.
Reason for surrendering: Hades was attacked about a year and a half ago by a dog in our neighborhood. He has since developed reactivity to dogs, however, we have recently discovered this master from our other dog. When by himself, he doesn’t show nearly the same reactivity.
Fully housebroken, fully crate trained, high energy with a passion for exercise and play, Super high energy like an athlete!
Pulls a little on leash, goes on 3 walks a day, He loves bacon flavored snacks and ice cubes.
Knows commands: Knows his/her name, Sit, Down, Lay down, No, Off, Stay, Wait, Drop it, Leave it. Likes: Rope toys, Balls, Squeaky toys, Bones or other durable chew toys, Stuffed animals and plush toys, Kongs.
Favorite activities: Exploring outdoors, Playing fetch, Going for walks, Running/jogging, Hanging out with owners, Being petted, Learning new commands or tricks, Swimming or playing in water. Behavior issues: Too much energy/gets overstimulated, Gets into the trash can, Reactive/aggressive towards other dogs.
Nervous/fearful/shy towards strangers.
Aggressive/reactive (growls or lunges) towards other dogs.
Selective of cats depending on the situation. Hades stalks the cats but has never tried to harm them. He is reactive (growling, lunging, hackles raised) towards other dogs when walking with our other dog. We have started walking them separately and we don’t see the same reactivity. Maybe mild interest. He is nervous if random people walk up to me mostly because I get nervous. High prey drive.
Owner thinks he has an allergy to chicken
Ideal home: Hades perfect home would look like a family with an older child that wouldn’t mind playing fetch most of the day or someone that will go on jogs for a few miles. Someone patient and understanding that, while he doesn’t want to lay in your lap, he would love to sit next to you on the couch. His perfect home will understand both of his breeds and that he will bark at the door and try to herd sometimes.
Favorite thing about him: My favorite thing about Hades is his eagerness to please and how he is always ready for the next thing but he will also have a lazy day with you.
Additional info: Hades is very smart and a very great dog. We are unsure if he will continue to be reactive without being around our other dog but he does respond well to training for reactivity - we just haven’t seen any progress because there are a lot of off leash dogs in our neighborhood that try to bite.
He is a German shepherd/ blue heeler mix. His birthday is 6/1 and he was born in 2022. He had a rough start to his life which is why I took him in and he’s literally just grateful to be loved.
Per owner 2/4/25:
I am rehoming due to ongoing behavior issues. For about the last 12-16months we have started to have problems after Hades was attacked by another dog in our neighborhood. He wasn’t injured but he was deeply affected where our other dog wasn’t.
We worked with him and did extra training and he got better, however, he then had another dog run up to him and try nipping at his leg. This is a common occurrence in our neighborhood with off leash dogs. We cannot walk him without him trying to lunge at any other dog he sees whether small or large, old or puppy. I have watched him pin puppies to the ground and after that, we stopped going to any dog parks.
He cannot be around other dogs. He has started showing mild aggression towards our other dog.
We can barely take him outside since even if he doesn’t ‘see’ another dog, he is always anticipating it and we cannot get his attention.
Positive reinforcement nor any kind of leash training WE do has helped. He is muzzled when we go to family events and kept in a crate for the majority of the time. He is crated when we are at work because we don’t want to leave him out with our other dog while we are not home.
He is amazing most of the time by himself and inside. He is eager to please, follows all commands, is potty trained, and crate trained.
I know he would always be happier with us but our other dog is suffering. Hades is in a crate the majority of the day anyway and with his high energy it’s wearing on him as well as us. We can’t relieve it. I know he would do better in a home with a backyard or somewhere he can get the training he needs.
We cannot afford training ourselves, and with the amount of off leash dogs, I don’t see it sticking.
Medical Notes:
3/23/25:
Weight: 70 lbs
Body Condition Score: 6 - Stout
Mm color: Pink
Mm touch: Moist
Crt: 1
Hydration: Normal
Attitude: BAR
Pain: None
Eyes: clear , no d/c
Ears: clean
Nose/Mouth/Dental: clear , no nasal d/c , no mild bacteria
Respiratory: normal effort
Assessment: Eyes - clear
Ears - clean
Nose - clear
Mouth/Teeth/Gums - good
Coat & Skin - good
Urogenital - male alt
Gait/Mobility - good
Attitude: BAR
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging a dog or cat.
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 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.