Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
I can be met by appointment, email info@pawsafe.org to set up a day and time.
Hi! My name is Bella, and I’m a beautiful, loving 6-year-old girl weighing about 90 pounds. I’m a German Shepherd/American Foxhound mix, which gives me a pretty wonderful combination of traits. I’m loyal and protective like a Shepherd, and I have the curious nose and love of exploring that comes with being a hound.
Most of all, I love people and being part of a family. I’m affectionate, social, and happiest when I can be around the people I love.
I especially love children. I’ve spent lots of time with my owner’s young granddaughter and am very gentle with her. I’ll happily sit and listen while she reads me a book, or play a good game of tug with her without becoming overly rough. I love playing with kids and being included in whatever the family is doing.
I’ve also had lots of experience with different people and dogs throughout my life. For the first two years of my life, I spent three days a week at doggie daycare while my owner worked. I regularly interacted with different caregivers and lots of different dogs, so I received plenty of socialization from a young age.
Over my six years, I’ve also had a variety of trusted people help walk and care for me, including both men and women. Because of this, I’m accustomed to having different people involved in my care and generally adjust very well to new caregivers. I’m not a dog who can only be cared for by one particular person.
I’m friendly with strangers and get along with most other dogs. I seem to have a particularly soft spot for little dogs—sometimes I act almost like their mama! I’ve also stayed overnight in homes with other dogs and have done very well. I haven’t lived with cats, though, so cats would be an unknown for me.
SMART GIRL!
I’m house-trained and crate-trained, and I know lots of commands, including come, sit, stay, leave it, drop it, and calm down. I’m also trained to walk without pulling on my leash.
Now, I’m not going to pretend I’m perfect! If I get excited or discover a particularly interesting smell, I may start pulling because I really want to investigate. That’s my Foxhound nose saying, “Wait! I need to smell that!”
And speaking of being a hound, I’m definitely a sniffer and a chaser. Squirrels and rabbits are VERY interesting to me, so my new family will need to keep my prey drive in mind and be careful about when and where I’m allowed off leash.
I LOVE THE OUTDOORS
I love long walks, exploring outside, running, sniffing, and just being outdoors.
Once my owner retired and we had more time together, we started spending long stretches at the dog park, where I could run, explore, sniff everything there was to sniff, and enjoy being around other dogs. We even occasionally take trips to the beach, which is another fun adventure for me.
A securely fenced yard would be wonderful in my new home, although it isn’t an absolute requirement as long as my family gives me plenty of exercise and opportunities to safely run and play. Regular trips to a securely fenced dog park or another safe off-leash area would make me very happy.
I also love simply hanging out outside. Give me a balcony, patio, porch, yard, or other safe outdoor space where I can relax and watch the world go by, and I’m a happy girl.
The nice thing about me is that I have a pretty good on/off switch. I can spend hours outside exploring and playing, take a nice long walk, and then come home and happily relax.
I’M OKAY WHEN YOU GO TO WORK
Although I love being with my people, I don’t need someone home with me every minute. I’m comfortable being left alone and can handle a normal workday without a problem.
I’m house-trained, crate-trained, and know how to settle down at home until my people return. When you’re home, though, I definitely enjoy being around you and being part of family life.
A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME
Like every dog, I have a few quirks.
Loud noises can frighten me, and I’m definitely not a fan of car rides.
And then there are the delivery people…
Remember that German Shepherd part of me? Well, my guarding instincts definitely come out when delivery people arrive. UPS, FedEx, Amazon—it really doesn’t matter what package they’re bringing. I’m not a fan!
My new family will need to understand this part of my personality and be comfortable managing me when deliveries come to the door.
WHEN THE DAY IS DONE…
After all my walking, running, sniffing, playing, and guarding duties are finished, I’m very good at relaxing.
I love stretching my big body across a nice cool floor, curling up in my comfy dog bed, or simply hanging out close to my people.
And I should probably confess one more thing…
I love sleeping on the bed.
Sorry! I discovered a long time ago that human beds are very comfortable, and I see absolutely no reason why a 90-pound dog shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy one too. ❤️
I’m a wonderful combination of active and relaxed. I’ll happily take a long walk, run around outside, spend time at the dog park, explore all the interesting smells, go on an occasional beach adventure, or play with the kids—and then come inside and settle down with my family.
I’ve been loved and cared for throughout my life. I know how to live in a home, I have a strong foundation of training, I’m accustomed to different caregivers, and I have years of experience being around people and other dogs.
Now I’m looking for a family who will love me just as much in the next chapter of my life. ❤️
MY BEST MATCH WOULD INCLUDE:
A family looking for a loving, loyal, people-oriented companion
A home that understands and can appropriately manage my German Shepherd guarding instincts
A family that enjoys walks, outdoor activities, and adventures
Ideally, a securely fenced yard or regular opportunities for me to safely run and play
A family comfortable with a large, approximately 90-pound dog
Children are welcome—I love kids!
Another compatible dog could be wonderful, and I seem to especially adore little dogs
A home that understands my Foxhound instincts and will be careful around squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals
Someone willing to continue reinforcing the training and commands I already know
A family that wants a dog who can be active with them but also knows how to settle down and relax at home
And, if I’m really lucky…someone who won’t mind making a little extra room for me on the bed. ❤️
