About Bella

Bella is a 1 1/2 year old female Belgian malinois mix. She is 65 pounds, spayed, and up to date on all her vaccines. She's very loving, kind and has exceptionally affectionate, social temperament. She came into our care unexpectedly when there was concern she would otherwise be surrendered to a shelter. We are experienced dog owners and would keep Bella ourselves if our work schedules allowed us to give her the time and engagement she deserves. For now, we are fostering her and looking only for a truly exceptional, permanent home. If that home does not present itself, we will continue caring for her rather than place her somewhere we do not believe is right. Bella loves people, both men and women, and quickly forms strong bonds. She is cuddly, playful, highly food motivated, and very responsive to structure and training. She currently lives with our adult female Blue Heeler and has become very attached to her. Bella looks to her for guidance, increasingly respects her boundaries, and has learned to settle and relax alongside her. Because of this, we would strongly prefer a home with another friendly, stable dog for Bella to bond with and learn from. Bella has shown no aggression or resource guarding during her time with us. She has also calmly accepted affection from an older child, though her broader compatibility with children is still being evaluated. Bella is still very much an adolescent and can become extremely excited and playful. She initially arrived very mouthy and chaotic, but this has improved dramatically in a short period as she has learned our household routine. She now settles much more easily, sleeps regularly, and is increasingly appropriate with our Heeler. She does best with calm, confident handling, consistent boundaries, predictable routines, exercise, mental stimulation, and affection. Without enough structure, she can turn into an enthusiastic 'party-time' puppy with zoomies, barking, and over-the-top play. With structure, she is proving to be a remarkably loving and manageable companion. We are still working on polite greetings. Bella sometimes jumps on people out of excitement. Because she is a large dog with big paws and nails, this could accidentally knock over or scratch an elderly, frail, or very young person. She is also still improving her leash manners, impulse control, barking, and ability to disengage when playtime is over. Her crate-training history and long-term alone-time tolerance are still being evaluated. Small-dog compatibility and prey drive are not yet fully known, and her compatibility with cats is unknown. Bella would be best suited to an active, experienced home that genuinely enjoys training and understands intelligent working-breed dogs. We are not looking for someone simply willing to take her. We want Bella's next home to be an upgrade in her life: more time, more enrichment, more stability, and people who will make a lifelong commitment to her. When Bella eventually leaves us, we want to know she is not going to another temporary stop. We want to know she is going home.

Contact

San Diego County
San Diego, California

Maia Sutton: 8054522629

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