Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Xena
Xena is a girl who proves that growth is possible with a little love, patience, and the right people in her corner. We could not be prouder of how far she's come, and we cannot wait to help her find the home she deserves.
Who Xena Loves
Xena adores her people. She's wonderful with adults and teens, and now greets them without any barking at all—she just dives straight into loving them. We expect she'd do great with elementary-aged kids too, though she hasn't been tested yet. Toddlers are still a little scary for her right now, so a home without little ones would be best while she continues to build her confidence.
When it comes to other dogs, Xena is still on her journey. She's been surprising us lately by playing pretty well with dogs through the chain link fence—which is genuinely exciting progress for her! There's cautious hope that with time and a careful introduction, she might eventually do okay living alongside a larger, neutral male dog. That said, she hasn't been introduced directly to another dog yet, so a multi-dog home isn't the right fit for her at this stage. Give her your full attention, and she'll give you all her heart.
Her Home Sweet Home
Xena needs a house with a yard and a strong, secure fence—ideally 6ft tall. She's got some serious spring in her step and could possibly clear a 5ft fence. Good news: she's made real progress slowing herself down at the fence and checking in when she starts to get excited.
An apartment isn't the right setting for this girl. She's basically made of concrete (we say that with love ), so her play sessions are loud and bouncy—not ideal for downstairs neighbors. She also tends to spot other dogs every time she heads out, which can overwhelm her and build anxiety. A home of her own with a yard will set her up to thrive.
How Far She's Come
This is the part that makes us beam with pride.
Xena used to be quite the handful. She'd swipe food right out of your hand mid-bite, clear counters in seconds, jump and demand treats, and only listen when food was involved. Today? She's a completely different dog. She only touches surfaces when she's searching during scent work, happily ignores food when she's focused, and now works for praise, love, and affection instead of just snacks. We are so freaking proud of her!
She's also learning to manage her leash reactivity to dogs, and she's improving every day. She sometimes squats or cowers when you reach for her, but even that has gotten so much better with time and gentle handling.
What Makes Her Special
Xena loves scent work, and it's clear she finds real joy in it. She even has a special bear she works hard to earn playtime with—watching her light up over it is the best. But honestly, scent work is just the beginning. This girl is crazy smart, and she absolutely loves to show off everything she knows. She's got a focused heel, auto sit, spin, recall (both verbal and e-collar beep), kennel training, dog door training, and she's about 80% solid on her place position. She'd be an incredible match for someone who wants to explore hobby or competitive scent work or obedience—she's built for it and she thrives on the mental challenge.
Now, about "down"—Xena has opinions. She thinks it's completely unnecessary, and she will absolutely side-eye her own wiggling hip in protest before complying. Speaking of that wiggle—her butt never, ever stops moving when people are around. Not even for a second. It's basically its own personality.
And her speed? There are no words. She is quite possibly the fastest dog we have ever seen. Like, eyelids-peeling-back, heart-in-your-throat fast. We hold our breath every time she gets going.
A few more things to love about her:
No destructive chewing—she sticks to her own toys like Kongs, wobblers, and chews
No potty issues
Knows a focused heel, auto sit, spin, and recall (both verbal and e-collar beep)
~80% reliable on place position and fully kennel and dog door trained
Happy to entertain herself with her favorite toys
Equally content with high-energy play or a cozy night in
Could You Be Xena's Person?
Xena is looking for someone who sees how far she's come and wants to keep cheering her on. She needs a single-dog home with a secure yard, no toddlers, and someone ready to give her steady love and a little patience. Bonus points if you're into hobby or competitive scent work or obedience—Xena is built for it, loves to show off, and will absolutely thrive with a dedicated partner to keep growing alongside. In return, you'll get a smart, affectionate, hardworking girl who's blossoming more every single day.
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