Meet Hazel, a 4-year-old German Shepherd mix with a soft coat, a gentle heart, and a serious talent for being completely adorable. An absolute staff and volunteer favorite! Hazel is the kind of dog who bonds deeply with her people. She loves affection, happily leans in for cuddles, and would be more than content claiming a spot next to youâideally in your bed, because in her mind, thatâs exactly where she belongs. Sheâs mellow, kind, and carries herself with a calm, easygoing presence that makes her a wonderful companion for everyday life.Sheâs also a great partner out in the world. Hazel rides well in the car, behaves nicely in public, and does well during vet visits. On leash, she is not reactive and walks politely and enjoys getting out for adventures, whether thatâs a neighborhood stroll or a weekend outing. Sheâs the type of dog who will happily go explore with you and then come home ready to relax by your side.Hazel was surrendered due to conflict with another female dog in the home. The incidents with the other female dog in the previous home appeared to stem from overstimulation and redirected behavior, which reinforces that she will do best in a home that can provide structure, awareness, and calm management in multi-pet situations.She did well with a male dog but tended to take on a more dominant role, so her ideal home would either be as the only dog or with a well-matched neutral male dog with thoughtful introductions. Hazel does have some resource guarding tendencies with other dogs, particularly around food and when resting in bed. She communicates clearly and gives warnings, but if those signals are ignored, she can escalate. Because of this, she will need an experienced, attentive owner who respects her boundaries and is committed to setting her up for success. Feeding her separately from other dogs and being mindful around high-value items and spaces like the bed will go a long way in maintaining harmony.She recently went on a doggy sleep over for a few days with one of our volunteers with their neutral male Golden Retriever. She did resource guard her bed from him, but otherwise did fantastic!She has done well around chickens, which is a big plus, and while she has been around cats, she was inclined to chase in a playful way, so slow, structured introductions and management would be important if a home has cats.She has shown that sheâs not comfortable around children, so an adult-only home will be the best fit for her. With adults, however, she is incredibly sweet, affectionate, and devoted.She is securely containable in 6-foot deer fencing and has proven to be a reliable, easy dog in many day-to-day situations. With the right home, Hazel is going to be an incredibly loyal and loving companionâone of those dogs who forms a deep bond and sticks by your side through everything.If youâre looking for a soft, soulful, affectionate dog who will happily join you on adventures and then curl up beside you at the end of the day, Hazel is ready to be your devoted partner.
