Nina Dobrev is having a little fun in her love life following her split from Shaun White, joking that she’s already found a “new man,” even if he’s not quite what fans might expect.
The 37-year-old actress shared a playful update on Instagram on Thursday, February 5, posting a photo of herself crouching on the ground and hugging a Doberman named Winston.
Alongside the image, Dobrev wrote, “The new man in my life,” before adding, “Officially off the market. Sorry boys.”
The original post, shared by Tara Garlinghouse, was captioned: “A love story @nina & Winston.”
In the photo, the Vampire Diaries The star is seen kissing the dog while dressed casually in a loose black top and headband.
She then shared another clip on social media showing her and Winston engaged in a light-hearted game of tug of war, building on the joke even further.
These light-hearted messages come months after Dobrev split from her former fiancé Shaun White in September 2025.
At the time, Us every week reported that the actress was “devastated” by the breakup.
A source said the pair, who had been together for five years, were considering next steps for the home they shared, which they renovated together.
That same month, an insider shut down rumors surrounding the split, explaining that there had been no infidelity or disagreements over starting a family.
According to the source, Dobrev and White both wanted children, and there was no situation where “we wanted [a family] more than the other. »
Dobrev and White first sparked romance rumors in February 2020 after sharing similar photos during a trip to South Africa.
Multiple media outlets confirmed their relationship a few months later and made things Instagram official shortly after.
In 2021, White opened up about how they handled long distance, explaining that they made a real effort to prioritize time together.
“You just have to make it work,” he said at the time, adding that making time for each other was essential. He also credited Dobrev’s organization, saying she always found a way to make things happen.
The couple announced their engagement in October 2024, with White pulling off an elaborate surprise by pretending they were attending a dinner hosted by Anna Wintour.
Instead, he led Dobrev into a room filled with roses and proposed to her with a pear-shaped diamond ring. Sharing the moment online, she wrote: “RIP boyfriend, hello fiancé. »
Now, with Winston by his side, Dobrev appears to be embracing a lighter chapter, one focused on humor, healing, and a very loyal four-legged companion.
