I have so much to say about Hazel. Hazel is my family, she is one of my fur babies. She is well loved.
A few of things asked for in this profile that require more information or clarification. She has no problem with kids. However, she is so exuberant, she could or would knock a child down, even an adult, if they aren't prepared for the incoming 'fur missile'. My family jokes when we let her out of the office when coming home, "release the Kracken".
She hasn't been exposed to cats since I have had her. She hasn't had the opportunity to go swimming. She doesn't mind rain or baths. I believe she would love swimming.
I have only seen her dig a couple of times and I think she was after something specific. I have voles in my yard. I think she either smelled one or saw one and dug a shallow hole a couple of times.
I do not know if she had any formal obedience training. I have trained her in a few ways, very easily. She is really smart and learns fast.
Hazel anticipates from my movements when I am getting ready to leave and she goes to her kennel without being told. When required (tradesmen here etc.), which isn't often, I say, "kennel" she goes straight for it. When I leave the house for more than a few hours, I put her in my office that has a large sized wire kennel. She will go in and lay down. I don't shut the gate.
When I come home, set my things down, and greet my other dog, I go to the office and "release the Kracken!" She is so excited to see me she will land on my other dog as she jumps up and down to greet me.
My office has a back door with a screen door. The screen door has a dog door. Almost all of the time both of my dogs are allowed to use the dog door, while I am home, until bed.
Her first home also had a dog door that was in the wall. They would just put the cover over it at night so no critters got inside and to keep her in.
Car rides...that is an adventure! She has gotten a little better since she first came home with me. It is still a challenge though. She requires training to make this more manageable. I am not sure if this qualifies as anxiety or just high enthusiasm.
She continually scratches at a collar when wearing one. Completely annihilated the first one we put on her. Her original owners didn't have a collar on her either unless they needed to put a leash on her. I don't use her collar unless I am using the leash for a vet. grooming visit or to the park until she is where she can take off running.
I have a fenced back yard. It was an existing very old chainlink fence and it is in poor shape. Top bar sags in a few places. She could easily jump it if she wanted to. In 2 very specific situations she did jump it. I can explain if needed.
She is an inside dog. She would not do well being kept outside for long periods of time without her people. If you plan to keep her outside only, or every day by herself for long periods of time, or on a chain in the yard - this would be a deal breaker for me.
The first week we brought her home, she got out of the house when we opened the door, she saw a rabbit and chased it down the block and around the corner. We panicked and started heading that way. She was already on her way back to us before we got to the end of the block.
She will chase rabbits, squirrels and birds. She has caught 2 rabbits and a bird that I know of. One of those rabbits she ate (yech). I didn't know until I found partial remains. She got sick and had tape worm. All of which she was treated quickly.
Once at the park, there was a wild female turkey, it was so funny to watch her reaction! I am laughing just thinking about it! I had to call her off because she was trying to and figure out what it was. I didn't want her or the turkey to get hurt.
She has been allowed on furniture at her first home and in mine. When I was married, she would take half the bed lol. We had to make her get down so we could sleep in our bed. More often than not, at some point in the night she would return.
If necessary, she is trainable to stay off the furniture.
She makes silly noises. She will sigh loudly, like a person. She makes grunting noises which make you look at her and wonder what she is going on about. And I swear, a few times while I pet her while sitting on the couch, she purred lol!
So much more I could share, and will when we meet, if you want to know more.