This may end up long, so bear with me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My GSD/Lab cross, Ceili is now about 3 (rescue organization wasn't sure of her exact age), and spayed. Super good with kids. When we're out and about, everyone's her friend, she allows people to approach her with no issues - tail is wagging and ears relaxed. Good focus during training, excellent prey drive, so-so play drive, food drive out the wazoo. She'll eat anything standing still or moving slowly. She did, however, live in a foster home with cats before coming to me, and she knows they're off limits. Squirrels are apparently evil and should all be destroyed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

She's terrified of having her nails cut, and she'll break a leg rather than let it be done, but she's never so much as grumbled at the one trying to clip. Struggles and whimpers, yes, but no fear biting or attempts at aggression.

However - come to close to the fence when she's outside, or the windows or doors when she's in the house and we're upstairs, and she's a demon. Hackles up, growling, right at the fence. If someone gets bold enough to hit the fence, she'll do her best to get at them (and I'm not complaining, as our neighborhood isn't the best, and the fence backs up to the service alley). Tail stiff and straight - when she's relaxed it curves over her back. She does NOT back down unless I tell her "out" or the offender leaves.

In the house, if the doorbell rings and I'm there, she wanders over with me to answer it - curious but not agitated. If I'm upstairs, she'll bark once or twice. If someone touches the door before I answer it, demon dog returns. She outs immediately when I tell her, and allows the person entry into the house. She will occasionally look out of a window, but never barks at what she sees - even if it's the dreaded squirrel.

On New Year's Eve, I saw some behaviours I'd never seen before, and I was wondering what you all thought of them (see, there was a point to this post). Lots of people were setting off fire crackers, etc., whooping and hollering, and there WAS some gunfire - noises she wasn't familiar with. She'd hear a noise, prick her ears, and move toward the direction of the sound (she was in the house). Her tail wasn't relaxed or in what I'm used to seeing as aggression - rather than it's usual curve or straight out, it was held in a saber drop - down, but definitely not tucked between the legs - held like most GSD's hold their tails when relaxed. She'd listen, then lay down between me and the noise. Wash, rinse, repeat, until she was actually panting. I could tell she was stressed (the panting), but she didn't seem fearful. She never came to me for "protection".

Is this the reaction you'd hope for out of a dog, if it were yours, or is there something dread that I'm not seeing? I know, probably a goofy question, but she's just so different from the other dogs I've owned. My first reaction is "I've got myself a keeper here", but I'm curious if anyone else would see it that way.

I'd love to do Schutzhund with her, but no clubs near me. We do obedience, and are adding tracking and agility in the spring (when the weather breaks a bit).

So - any comments? Any questions? Anyone care for a mint? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />