Xena is a gentle, loving 7 year old shepherd mix that weighs 42 lbs. She is full grown and will not get any larger. She is a sweet, calm girl that has an incredibly loving nature. She is the happiest when she’s close by her human's side. She loves meeting new people and always enjoys getting affection from everyone she meets. She always wants to be nearby her human and just sits back observing whether just sitting on the couch, working from home, or moving from room to room, Xena will quietly follow along. She thrives on one-on-one attention and would be perfect for someone looking for a devoted companion that is happy to just lounge around sunbathing while you work in the garden or enjoying a nap while you work from home. She has such a calm, soothing presence about her that you won't be able to resist wrapping your arms around her to cuddle every chance you get. She loves laying beside her human and will rest her head on your lap, roll over for some belly rubs and soak in all the love! She’s very patient when she is left alone at home for a bit, and just likes to just sleep as she calmly waits for you to get back home. Once you walk through that door, she gives you a very sweet and excited welcome with a wagging tail and does a little tap dance with her feet to show how happy she is you're back.

Xena low to medium energy, so she requires a few short exercise activities like taking a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. She is pretty mellow most of the time, but when she knows her human wants to go on an adventure, she is always happy to join. She's the perfect pup to take on jogs or hikes exploring nature trails. She does very well in the car and loves to discover new places while being a passenger princess, so if you love to travel and sightsee, Xena is always up for the ride. She isn't big on playing with toys, but she loves to roll around in the grass with her legs up in the air before she finds a comfy spot to sunbathe in. If you're looking for a laid back, easy going dog that can join you on the couch cuddling one day and then going on fun adventures the next, Xena is your girl.

Xena is kid friendly and would do best in a home with older kids that she can hang out with and cuddle. She has such a sweet, loving nature that she would fit into a family that has multiple people to share all her love with. She can be a little unsure around other dogs and avoids them for the most part. If she comes across any on her walks, she prefers to keep her distance and will just avoid coming in contact with them. She won't make a big scene if she sees another dog, and instead will just walk away from them and not make eye contact. She has done well with proper slow introductions meeting calmer, non-intrusive dog friends that respect her personal space and boundaries. If there was another dog in the home, she would prefer it to be a lower energy, respectful dog companion. She would truly love to be the only dog in the home though so that she can spend as much time cuddling with her human and not have to share with another dog. With people, she’s all heart. Her loving temperament, calm demeanor, and deep desire for connection makes her a perfect fit for someone who wants a loyal, affectionate best friend. She has not been introduced to cats yet, so to be on the safe side, it is recommended that there be no kitties in her forever home.

Xena is leashed trained and potty trained. She can sleep in the kennel if needed, but she is perfectly capable of being left out without being destructive or chewing on anything while you're gone. She likes to have a little den type setup to use as a safe space, so you can drape a cover over a kennel and leave the door open so she can go in and out as she pleases. She currently sleeps either on a dog bed or in bed with her foster mom at night, but would be fine adjusting to sleeping in a kennel with a comfy dog bed if that is needed in her forever home. She loves to go on walks and is a perfect lady on the leash. She doesn't pull at all or jump on new people she meets on walks, but does get excited and pulls a bit when there are passing cars. Her foster mom has been working on correcting and redirecting her, and she's improving on not getting as excited when cars pass by. She will not have an accident in the house and will notify you when she needs to go out to potty. She does well with having a consistent schedule and if you work out of the home, she will hold it until you get back from work.

Xena's ideal home environment is a laid back, low energy household with a family that enjoys the outdoors. She would love to go on fun adventures hiking and exploring nature from time to time, but would enjoy leisurely neighborhood walks just fine too. She would love to live in a house with a fenced in backyard, but does great living in an apartment currently with her foster mom. If she does join a family that lives in an apartment, townhome, or condo then she would prefer to go on walks for her daily exercise and potty breaks. She will NOT enjoy dog parks or off leash areas where she will be approached by dogs uninvited because she enjoys her personal space and wants her boundaries to be respected when it comes to strange dogs. She is the perfect dog for a single person or a couple that either works from home or is retired as she is the type of dog that wants to spend lots of time with her humans. She would do well with a family with older children that can give her extra cuddles and yummy treats, too.