Nina Dobrev is having some fun with 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 hunched over on the floor hugging a Doberman named Winston.
Alongside the photo, 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 affair @nina & Winston.”
In the picture is The Vampire Diaries star is seen kissing the dog while dressed casually in a loose black top and a headband.
She later shared another clip on social media showing her and Winston locked in a light-hearted tug of war, leaning even further into the joke.
The light-hearted posts come months after Dobrev split from ex-fiancé Shaun White in September 2025.
At that time, Us Weekly reported that the actress was “devastated” by the breakup.
A source said the couple, who had been together for five years, were figuring out the next steps for the home they shared, which they had renovated together.
That same month, an insider shut down the rumors surrounding the split, explaining that there was no infidelity or disagreement about starting a family.
According to the source, both Dobrev and White wanted children, and there was no situation where “one wanted [a family] more than the other.”
Dobrev and White first sparked romance rumors in February 2020 after sharing similar photos from a trip to South Africa.
Several outlets confirmed their relationship a few months later, and they made things Instagram official soon after.
In 2021, White talked about how they coped with long distance, explaining that they made a real effort to prioritize time together.
“You just make it work,” he said at the time, adding that making time for each other was key. 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 to attend a dinner hosted by Anna Wintour.
Instead, he led Dobrev into a room filled with roses and proposed with a pear-shaped diamond ring. Sharing the moment online, she wrote: “RIP girlfriend, hello fiance.”
Now, with Winston by her side, Dobrev seems to be embracing a lighter chapter, one that’s all about humor, healing and a very loyal four-legged companion.
