Once again, this Christmas will see the team at Dogs Trust Leeds giving dogs that have found themselves without a home, the best Christmas possible whilst they wait for their special someone.
The charity’s slogan, ‘A Dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ is as relevant today as it was when it was first adopted almost 40 years ago, as sadly each year hundreds of dogs are handed over to the team at the York Road rehoming centre.
The staff look after strays, smuggled puppies and of course dogs who have had to leave their families for a variety of reasons, from illness in the family to relationship breakdown or a change in working hours.
Whilst at Dogs Trust Leeds, every dog is given everything they need but they all have their paws crossed in the hope of finding a forever family once more. Here are just some who are hoping to have found a space on the sofa in their ideal homes in time for Christmas.
Dog name: BARLEY
Age: 5yr
Breed: Lurcher
Background:
Barley is a very friendly boy with both humans and dogs alike. He has a few doggy friends in the centre who he likes to go on walks with. He is super handsome and loves a good bum scratch! He can get quite giddy and OTT so he needs owners who will be able to keep working on his training once in the home.
Type of home needed:
Barley likes all the attention to himself so would prefer to be the only dog in the home. He does not like to be on his own so his owners will need to be around all the time. He could live with older teenagers.
Dog name: BOBBA
Age: 2yrs
Breed: American Bulldog
Background:
Bobba is a big soft lad who just doesn’t realise how strong he is. He is super playful and loves lots of cuddles. He is doing really well with his training and learning more self-control. He is a very friendly boy who likes to say hello to everyone he meets!
Type of home needed:
Due to Bobba’s size he is looking for an adult only home where he’ll be the only dog. His owners will need to be experienced dog owners and have plenty of time to keep working with him on his training to keep him on the right track.
Dog name: BUSTER
Age: 9yrs
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Background:
Buster is a super fun lad who hasn’t realised he’s 9 years old! He thinks he’s still a puppy and loves to play with his human and doggy friends. To Buster, life is just one non-stop game of ragger! Buster is currently living off site in a foster home so he can get plenty of home comforts.
Type of home needed:
Buster is a bouncy and playful boy who is looking for an adult home where his owners are around most of the time. Once he has settled in Buster could be left for short periods.
Dog Name: DENNIS
Age: 14yrs
Breed: Yorkshire Terrier
Background:
Dennis is a lovely gent who although 14 years old, still has lots of life in him! He is very active and loves a good long walk where he can sniff around to his heart’s content. His hearing and eyesight is not so good so he needs understanding owners who will continue a hands-off approach and let him have his own space. He is very friendly once he knows you but needs time to build the trust first. Tasty treats will help bring him round!
Type of home needed:
Dennis can be vocal around other dogs as he finds them scary so would need to be the only dog in the home and walked in quieter areas away from lots of other dogs. Dennis will need to be groomed or clipped regularly and once settled in he should be fine on his own for a few hours.
Dog name: ECCLES
Age: 5-7yrs
Breed: Staffordhire Bull Terrier Cross
Background:
Eccles arrived at Dogs Trust heavily pregnant. She was a great Mummy and her pups thrived and have long flown the nest. Eccles is a very loving dog although she is a little wary around new people and will need careful introductions. Eccles can be quite intense and rough around dogs who don’t always appreciate her OTT play style. Eccles never fails to brighten your day with her happy face and waggy tail. She is super smart and loves swimming but the best thing about Eccles is by far her cuddles!!
Type of home needed:
Eccles is looking for understanding owners with time and patience to help her settle in to life in a home. She needs to be the only dog in an adult only home. As Eccles needs time to get to know you her new owners will need to visit her at the centre a few times before she will be ready to go home.
Dog name: TIA
Age: 8yrs
Breed: Crossbreed
Background:
Tia originally arrived as a tiny puppy in need of hand rearing. She was rehomed but sadly arrived back at the centre 6 years later through tragic circumstances after her owner passed away. Tia is worried by new people but comes round in her own time. Once you have met her a few times her true personality shines through and she is a joy to be around. She is such an affectionate girl and really loves to play with her handlers.
Type of home needed:
She would be better as the only dog in the home. Tia will need a secure garden to play in. She may be worried by visitors to the home so a quiet environment will suit her best.
Dog name: SUSHI
Age: 7yrs
Breed: German Shepherd Cross
Background:
Sushi’s favourite pastime has to be playing and leaping around in one of the paddocks with her pals – canine or human! Sushi adores her carers and once you get through her tough bouncy nature she is the biggest lover of snuggles and cuddles.
Type of home needed:
Sometimes Sushi finds it difficult to be in certain situations in life and is looking for an adult only home with owners who are able to understand her and give her bags of cuddles. Sushi does need to be the only pet in the home but is very social with playful bouncy dogs who will mirror her playful style. Sushi would like a home where visitor footfall can be kept to a minimum for a time while she gets to know her surroundings.
Dog name: TARA
Age: 11yrs
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross
Background:
Tara is a typical “I love everyone” Staffy and despite being a little older is still full of beans. Tara loves her toys and also her walks. She is very playful and likes lots of attention. She is polite around dogs but would need to be the only dog in the home.
Type of home needed:
Tara should be fine with teenage children who want a fun and interactive dog to play with and get lots of kisses and cuddles from !! Once settled in, Tara should be fine on her own for a few hours.
Dog name: TIA
Age: 3yrs
Breed: Alaskan Malamute
Background:
Tia is a stunning looking girl who will need extremely active owners. She is young and lively and happy to be out in all weathers, she loves walkies and is strong on her lead. She is very smart and likes to be kept busy.
Type of home needed:
Tia will need to be the only pet in the household and will need an adult only home with no visiting children. Tia would love an enclosed garden to play in and will need owners who are around most of the time to keep her entertained.
Dog name: CHERRY
Age: 5yrs
Breed: Crossbreed
Background:
Cherry is a sweet girl but she is lacking in confidence. Lots of things worry Cherry but with the right guidance and understanding owners she could really blossom. She has such potential and is a very clever girl who is eager to learn. Once Cherry knows you she is a playful and loving dog who enjoys lots of attention.
Type of home needed:
Cherry will need multiple visits to get to know her before she is ready to go home so will need owners who live close to the centre. She will need an adult only home as the only pet in a quiet environment.
Dog name: WILLOW
Age: 7yrs
Breed: Border Collie Cross
Background:
Willow is a sweet natured girl who is friendly with people. She can sometimes be shy to start with but once she feels comfortable she comes round nicely. She is manageable around other dogs out and about but prefers to be the only dog in the home. She loves her treats, and will do what you ask if she’s rewarded with something tasty!
Type of home needed:
Willow likes all the attention to herself so needs to be the only dog in an adult only home. She likes a quiet life so minimal visitors will be best along with a secure garden. She will need a long settling in period to get her used to her new home and her owners will need to visit her a few times at the centre before she’s ready to go home.
Dog name: RITA
Age: 7yrs
Breed: Akita
Background:
Rita is a gorgeous and affectionate girl with her handlers. She is friendly with people when she gets to know them but can be a little shy at first. She can get very playful too and loves tennis balls in particular.
Type of home needed:
Rita is looking for an adult only home where she will be the only dog, although she is polite with other dogs when out and about. She will need regular grooming and once she is settled she should be fine on her own for short periods of time.
If you think you could offer any of these dogs their ideal homes, please call the centre on 0113 281 4920 or visit them at Woodlands Farm, York Road, Leeds, LS15 4NL. The Rehoming Centre is open Friday-Monday 12pm-4pm and 12pm-7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is closed on Wednesdays.
You can find out more at www.dogstrust.org.uk
