How big? Small
How old? Adolescent-Adult (around two years)
Male or female? Female
Living with kids? I’m looking for a home without children
Living with dogs? I can live with other dogs
Resident dog required? Not compulsory, but could be beneficial
Living with cats? I’ve not been tested with cats
Where can I live? I’d like a calm, semi-rural home with a garden
Where am I from? Cyprus

About Elvira

Meet Elvira, a small sized terrier mix with a gentle, shy nature. She is estimated to be around two years old, and arrived to us as a terrified stray after being found on the streets. She also looks like she’s had a litter or two in her short life. Elvira was so anxious and confused, and it took days for her to decompress. When she first arrived at the shelter, she was so scared that it was difficult to approach her. In a relatively short period of time she has made progress, but she’s still on her path to finding full confidence, and she won’t reach her full potential in a shelter environment.

Elvira is a shy girl who doesn’t trust immediately, so she’s looking for a patient adopter who understands the importance of moving at her pace. If rushed, Elvira becomes flighty and hesitant, but when allowed to approach on her own terms you can see so much potential in her. Her progress already in a busy, high adrenaline environment, further emphasises that with time and gentle handling in a relaxed home setting she will blossom. Small dogs often struggle in the shelter, because they feel vulnerable in such a busy setting as they’re such a small size. We’re confident however that in an environment where she feels safe and secure, she can become a loving and loyal companion.

One of Elvira’s comforts is the presence of other dogs. She gets along well with dogs of a similar size and temperament, and often copies their behaviour. She particularly enjoys trying to play with Mike, even if he’s still warming up to her! Having another dog in her new home would provide her with reassurance and confidence as she continues to settle. We do also feel though that with 1-2-1 focus from her new family, she will start to blossom.

Elvira’s trust isn’t instant, but when she’s ready, she will come forward, licking your hand and accepting gentle chin scratches. Seeing her little ears pop up and her playful side emerge is so worth the patience! She looks like a little bat all of a sudden, and she’ll have a sudden burst of excitement and go wizzing around the yard at full speed (whilst Mike looks at her like ‘what is going on?’. A quiet, calm home in a semi-rural area with a secure garden (as she loves lying outside in the sun!) and minimal comings and goings would suit her best, giving her the stability she needs to settle in. That said, once she does start to come out of her shell despite her small size we reckon there’s actually quite a big personality in there!

Elvira isn’t suited for a household with young children as loud noises and sudden movements make her uncomfortable. However, for an adopter with a calm lifestyle who is willing to go slowly, she could be an ideal match. It will be so rewarding to see this little lady start to shine and she deserves a chance so much.

Elvira is currently based in Cyprus and has a clean bill of health. She is ready to travel once she finds her forever home.

Please note, any mention of breed is nothing more than an educated guess based on what we know about the dog, their appearance, behaviour, and common breeds in their country of origin. We can never guarantee breed specifics, nor can we confirm the exact age of our dogs, unless they were born in our care. Age estimations are made by our vets based on the development of the dog, their general health and energy, and assessing their teeth.