10 adorable dogs who need loving homes this new year

Are you looking for a new family member this 2025?

Bookmark
Share

Wesley HolmesLiverpool Echo reporter

13:53, 25 DEC 2024

13-year-old Rodney found himself in kennels after his owner sadly died (Image: Dogs Trust)

All dogs deserve a loving family. Sadly, many homeless and abandoned adult dogs end up in kennels, waiting for the right person to come along. While many of these dogs are adopted, animal sanctuaries such as the Dogs Trust are always opening their doors to more and more rescues.

We've made a list of 10 dogs who have recently found themselves in kennels at Dogs Trust Merseyside. People who are interested in adding one of these four-legged friends to their family are asked to register to adopt with the Dog's Trust. You will be asked to provide details about your home, your lifestyle and the dogs you are interested in.

You will also be asked to select a rehoming centre. Afterwards, the Dogs Trust team will review the application and contact you within seven days to talk about your dog search.

The Trust retain all applications it receives for three months, during which time it will be used to scope out the most suitable pet from your chosen centre. After a match is made, you will be invited to meet the dog at your chosen rehoming centre. Some of the dogs will need to meet prospective owners several times to see if they are compatible.

If no dog matching your requirements becomes available during the three months, however, you may be asked to apply again. After adoption, the Trust will keep in touch to see how you and the dog are doing.

Boo
Breed: Old English sheepdog

Age: 10 years

Sex: Female

Requirements: Can live with children, other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

Lovely Boo is 10 years old and has been through the mill recently. She lost her human family and then sadly her little companion, but she's doing her best. Boo is in a foster home where she has been the perfect house guest. She happily greets visitors to the house and likes to sit next to her foster carer on the sofa. She is very friendly and affectionate, but also has her little anxious moments. Boo behaves very well on her walks and has no issues with other dogs, in fact she likes to play with them. She also likes to play with toys and can often be found wandering around just happily holding one in her mouth! Boo travels well in the car and walks beautifully on her lead.
1 of 10
- Share
Nala
Breed: German shepherd cross

Age: 1-2 years

Sex: Female

Requirements: No children, no other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

Nala had a lucky escape at a stray pound where she was almost euthanised due to no one claiming her. She is safe with us now but not too keen on centre life. She's very active and prefers to be about and about, but her carers give her lots of toys and enrichment to help her make the most of her stay. We don't know anything about her and she's quite reactive to other dogs so it's possible she hasn't been socialised with any, but her handlers are working on this with her. Nala gets worried by people standing outside of her kennel but outside of it she is super friendly and confident. She doesn't lack enthusiasm and we're teaching her that "four on the floor" is a more polite way to say hello to new friends! Her new family will need to continue her training to reduce her reactivity to other dogs, and also be able to handle her strength. Nala is smart and has bags of potential and she certainly deserves a brighter future than the one she almost didn't have.
2 of 10
- Share
Remi
Breed: English springer spaniel

Age: 2-5 years

Sex: Male

Requirements: Can live with children, other dogs

The Dogs Trust says:

Remi is a sweet little lad but he's finding centre life somewhat overwhelming, He gains confidence from his brother Rudy but he's unsure about new people and places and will often try to hide away. Once he's out and about he put his nose to the ground and worries to one side as he takes in all the smells. When Remi is comfortable with you he will happily come over for a gentle fuss but he will need his new family to understand that they need to go slowly with him. He LOVES tennis balls! This is when Remi's playful side outweighs everything else and he will chase after them for however long you're willing to keep it up! Remi is worried by unfamiliar dogs and will actively move away from them. Off lead he's more comfortable but will go off to play with his beloved tennis balls and not interact.
3 of 10
- Share
Rodney
Breed: Boxer

Age: 13 years

Sex: Male

Requirements: Can live with children, other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

13 year old Rodney has the wonderful ability to make people fall in love with him on sight! He's such a lovely old boy who has found himself displaced recently through losing his owner and not having anyone who was able to take care of him. We quickly got him in to a foster home where ehe settled beautifully. Rodney brings his foster carers toys when he comes home and is an absolute dream. He welcomes everyone in to the house and loves to be made a fuss of. Rodders will let you know when he needs to go out to the toilet and sleeps well through the night in his own bed. He likes to go out for his walks and has been showing his cheeky side at home, including picking up his food bowl as if to ask for more! Rodney gets along well with other dogs although does take exception to Frenchies, and we feel he could live with a quiet dog that wouldn't mither him too much.
4 of 10
- Share

Luna
Breed: Belgian shepherd dog

Age: 6-12 months

Sex: Female

Requirements: Can live with older children, no other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

Luna is not for the faint hearted! She was living in an unsuitable environment where her family did not have time for her and has picked up a few bad habits. Luna has bags of energy but doesn't know how to channel it and would very much suit a family that has an interest in dog training. She loves to be out and about but she will grab at trees when she gets the opportunity and this needs to be discouraged. She has made excellent progress in her short time at the centre but that's because her handlers are putting the work in with her. Luna is incredibly bright and keen to learn, and is really focused on toys which makes training that bit easier. She also has a habit if tail chasing and her new family must be sure not to inadvertently encourage this behaviour. Luna hasn't met many dogs before coming to us and although she lacks social skill, she is friendly with others. As she is going to have enough to get to grips with, we feel it best that she not be rehomed with another dog whilst she concentrates on her training. Luna has unlimited potential with the right family and she is very friendly with people.
5 of 10
- Share
Beautu
Breed: Border collie

Age: 10 years

Sex: Female

Requirements: Can live with older children, no other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

Beauty is a ten year old Collie but she's still a very active girl who just loves to go out on her walks. She's been used to exercising in the park and on the beach in her previous home, but she hasn't had a lot of contact with other dogs. Beauty is friendly enough when she meets them, but she doesn't interact much, often just lying on the floor in typical Collie style when she spots one. She has never been off lead with another dog, but she will walk quite calmly next to well socialised friends, and this should be encouraged but not forced at home. Beauty likes to have company and although she was good when left alone for a couple of hours, she did like to follow her owner from room to room. She is a super dog and in great condition for her age, she's going to make someone very happy.
6 of 10
- Share
Lola
Breed: Crossbreed

Age: 8+ years

Sex: Female

Requirements: Can live with children, other dogs

The Dogs Trust says:

Lola won everybody over as soon she arrived with her sweet and gentle nature. She's been with us a little while whilst we get to the bottom of her heart condition and on the appropriate medication, and she's taken all that poking and prodding from the vets in her stride. She has the loveliest temperament and likes to be with people, happily trotting by your side and saying hello to everyone. Lola gets along very well with other dogs and has shared her kennel with a number of pals over recent weeks, and we're more than happy to rehome her with another dog. Lola has struggled when left alone in her recent home, and has injured herself breaking out of crates. She's looking for a home where she won't really be left by herself, but can have people with her for the majority of the time. Lola has mitral heart disease and a grade 3/4 heart murmur, so we exercise her gently and don't let her become overexcited or exert herself too much. She can clear a four foot fence so a secure garden is a must.
7 of 10
- Share

Poppy
Breed: Yorkshire terrier

Age: 8+ years

Sex: Female

Requirements: Can live with children, no other pets

The Dogs Trust says:

Poppy is a super little lap dog who just loves attention, not unusual for her breed! She enjoys playing with people, especially having her toys thrown for her, or some gentle tug of war. Poppy really hates to be alone and will follow you from room to room, and she'll bark continuously if she's home alone. She's not a fan of other dogs and although she'll walk nearby others quite calmly, she doesn't want any interaction with them and will snap if approached.
8 of 10
- Share
Kimbo
Breed: Lurcher

Age: 2-5 years

Sex: Male

Requirements: Can live with older children, no dogs

The Dogs Trust says:

Kimbo is a sweet boy, a little nervous at first meeting but he warms up quickly. He's generally pretty laid back but always on squirrel watch when he's out of the kennel! He's a curious boy who enjoys his walks, especially if he can tag along with his pals. He's playful with other dogs and likes to chase and bounce about. He will bark at others when he's on lead but it's because he wants to greet them and introduce himself. As Kimbo is a little shy, we advise that he is allowed to approach people first, rather than have attention thrust on him. This will build his confidence much more quickly.
9 of 10
- Share
Zac
Breed: Akita

Age: 6-12 months

Sex: Male

Requirements: Can live with children, no dogs

The Dogs Trust says:

Oh lord! This outrageously gorgeous lad is Zac and obviously, he has everyone cooing over him! He is such a lovely boy, very friendly with people and readily says hello to anyone who will let him throw himself at them! We are teaching him to greet people a little more politely but his size and youthful enthusiasm keep getting in the way. Zac is good with other dogs but very OTT and strong, and he could use some work on his social skills before we would place him in a home with another dog. He should certainly have friends for walking with as he does enjoy canine company. Zac is definitely going to need some training and his new family must be committed to putting in the work with an oversized puppy.
10 of 10
- Share