A miniature poodle, a shih tzu and an English bull terrier who lost his nose to illegal badger baiting are up for adoption from Dogs Trust Merseyside.
The rehoming centre on Whiston Lane in Huyton has a high number of bull breeds for adoption. Nearly half its current dogs are various types of bull dogs, possibly higher than ever before, a reflection of their popularity in recent years.
As people's preferences shift to other breeds, previous darlings fill up rescue centres as dogs search for new homes. Georgina Lowery, manager of Dogs Trust Merseyside's rehoming centre, said: "Dogs find themselves with us for a variety of reasons such as illness in the family, a change in working hours or accommodation or someone having to move into a care facility.
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"Whatever the reason, it is always heartbreaking for owners to have to hand over their dog. But we can guarantee they will get everything they need whilst they are with us whether that’s off site walks, additional snuggles, training, treats, toys or just sitting with a member of the team or a volunteer watching the world go by.
"We are really proud that we are here and able to take care of them until the time comes for them to head off to their new homes and enjoy adventures with their new families. Whether someone wants to welcome a young dog or an older dog into their life, or they are looking for a large or small four-legged friend, we would encourage everyone to think about adopting.
"We look after dogs until they find their forever homes, however long it takes, and we do become attached to them but we are never happier than when we see them happily heading home to enjoy life and great adventures with a loving family."
Buster
The "proud owner of the wiggliest bum" at Dogs Trust Merseyside, Buster "is very active and loves to be outside". The "glorious boy's behind goes into overdrive when he sees his favourite people coming". The charity said: "He will usually run and get his blanket for us, and stands with it in his mouth like a puppy."
Buster, 11, has been at the rehoming centre for nearly a year and needs a family to adopt or long-term foster him. "Perfectly house trained", the Labrador retriever can be left for four to six hours once settled into a home with no other pets, and where any kids are 13 or older.
He's used to have a few walks a day and loves playing with his toys and carers. He'll only drop what he's got if you have something to trade, and he "doesn't know what to do with other dogs".
Dogs Trust said: "He is easily aroused by any kind of tugging game and can be vocal, so we advise to any game of that nature to be discouraged once he's home, as his arousal could escalate quickly. He's a not a fan of squirrels so is unlikely to be cat friendly."
Goji
Saved from use for illegal badger baiting, Goji loves pottering around the Dogs Trust site and exploring the nearby country park. He gets "a little overexcited when having his harness put on, and like to nibble his carer's hands", but Dogs Trust thinks this will settle once he's home - he just "may need a little patience".
Dogs Trust knows little about Goji's background. The English bull terrier crossbreed is unlikely to be house trained, and he can't live with other pets. Any kids will need to be of high school age or older.
The charity said: "Goji has been used for illegal badger baiting and as a result has lost part of his nose. It doesn't bother him in anyway, we think it adds to his charm and it certainly doesn't detract from that beautiful big bull terrier smile!"
Malcolm
"Devastatingly handsome" Malcolm is "not for the faint hearted". Showing strong Malinois traits, this Belgian shepherd has proven too much of a handful for previous owners to manage, but he'd thrive with the right family, ideally with experience of the breed.
Not keen on kennels, he's eager to get out for exercise. Malcolm gets "a little over-excited and likes to jump on people", which should be discouraged as he's a big boy and this puts him at face height. He'd be perfect for someone who enjoys dog training.
A lover of fetch and tug, Malcolm is friendly with other dogs but can be a bit intense for them. He could live with a well-matched dog and confident kids over 12.
Oreo
"Daft beast" Oreo is "like a bull in a china shop". The two-year-old English bulldog is very boisterous and want to play with everyone and everything. He's "rather wary" when meeting new people, and a little bit hand shy, but he soon gets past it and is "a pleasure to be with".
Oreo much prefers a game of chase and being silly than playing with toys. He "loves to huff and play bow at people to instigate play". He does it to other dogs too, but can be "terribly rough" when playing, so he's best as the only dog at home.
He'd benefit from some friends to walk with while learning to socialise and improve his manners. The house-trained dog can be left for three or four hours once he's settled in, and he can live with kids over 10. Dogs Trust said: "He is booked to have surgery on his eyelids in early March and is expected to make a full and quick recovery."
Poppy
This "chilled out" bulldog "takes everything in her short stride". Poppy enjoys taking her time mooching around Dogs Trust's rehoming centre, and she loves people but isn't boisterous when greeting them. Dogs Trust said: "She's actually rather polite but can be hand shy, so people should refrain from fussing her around her head."
She's been great at sharing kennel space with various dogs, so Dogs Trust is "confident she could live with another dog". The house-trained dog also got along fine with a cat she lived with in the past, and she can live with kids aged eight and over.
Poppy can be left alone for three or four hours once she's settled in. She's currently on prescribed steroids for a skin disease and this may continue, so her new family must be aware of potential medication costs.
Reggie
With plenty of energy and a love of affection, Reggie would adore "an active family who can keep up with him". The French bulldog loves walks, playing with his toys and playing a game of tug. He gets excited when you approach his kennel and he displays a lot of grabbing behaviour, so his new family should be experienced dog owners.
Reggie needs a home with no other pets and where any kids are over 16. He's house trained and can be left by himself for an hour or two once settled in. He knows some basic commands and would benefit from further training to build his confidence and "keep his busy young brain active".
Dogs Trust said: "Reggie will need owners that are willing to continue his training at home, as Reg tends to be rather grabby when he is overexcited or frustrated, and has been returned to us twice for this reason."
Rocco
This "friendly little" French bulldog is "eager to greet everybody, but he can be worried if a new person tries to handle him too soon". Once he's had a little sniff and gained confidence, Rocco "really loves a nice fuss".
Dogs Trust believes he travels well and would enjoy tagging along for adventures. He knows his name and will sit, so he'd enjoy learning more tricks and basic skills for treats.
He will walk with small dogs if they don't get too close, and he's worried by larger dogs or over-the-top dogs, so he'll need to be the only pet at home. The house-trained dog can live with kids older than 16.
Dogs Trust said: "He has suffered with terrible ear conditions in the past and although they are good at present, his new family must be aware that the problem could re-occur."
Sonny
"Lovely sweet" Sonny is a "firecracker" who's "happy to potter around the site exploring new places and new smells". He's not a huge fan over being over-handled, so his new owners need to take an initially slow, hands-off approach until he's more comfortable.
His previous owners found he loved cuddles, so he "could become a real snuggle monster" once settled in. He's not excited by toys other than a squeaky ball he occasionally chases and sniffs.
Sonny needs to be the only dog at home as he can pester them and be over the top. He can greet sociable dogs on walks, and he can live with or be visited by kids older than 16. He'll need a house training refresher and will need a low amount of alone time.
Dogs Trust said: "Sonny has had issues in the past with his anal glands so new owners will need to get these regularly emptied at their own vets."
Teddy
This Lakeland terrier needs "a quiet life for his retirement", with a family who'll give him time and space to explore and settle into a home with no other pets or kids under 16. The house-trained dog spends much of hid day snoozing and can be left alone for a few hours.
Teddy still enjoys walks, but these will need to be kept short so as not to make his asthma worse. He has an inhaler twice a day, which he's got used to, but his new family must be confident administering medication this way.
When it's time to play, Teddy barks for attention. He's "still active for his age, enjoying games of tug and fetch with his handlers". Dogs Trust said: "He can be a little intense with his toys at times, something his family will need to watch out for and have another toy to trade with him. Teddy does not like other dogs and should not be allowed off lead around any."
Tipsy
Tipsy might love to sit in laps, but the 13-year-old miniature poodle is "still pretty active and enjoys his walks, as long as it isn't raining, as he's definitely a fair weather dog". A very friendly boy, he likes giving people a thorough sniff before settling with them.
He's wary of pushy or bigger dogs and needs "a quiet retirement home" with no other pets, but he can have calm walking friends to visit the park with. Kids of high school age are fine for him to live with, and he's "perfectly house-trained", so he can be left alone for a couple of hours and he'll let you know if he needs to go out.
Tipsy might have "dick kneecaps", but he's managed to "get to his ripe age without any real issues". Dogs Trust said: "His coat had been neglected when he came to us but we have clipped him and his new family will need to take him for regular visits to the groomers every 8 or 12 weeks, but to build a positive association with grooming in the meantime."
Ursula
Six-year-old Ursula "is a lovely girl who enjoys being out and about walking nicely on her lead and exploring new places where there is plenty to sniff". She's been a bit stressed in kennels, but she's learning to settle. She's much more relaxed outside.
The Staffordshire bull terrier is looking for a quieter home where she can soak up all the attention as the only pet, and where any children are over the age of 12. She can walk alongside calm and quiet dogs and would benefit from socialising outside of the house.
Ursula is so excited by the prospect of a walk, she gets "quite bouncy when trying to get her harness on". Some positive training will help her relax for this. She loves attention, leaning into you to demand back scratches, so her lucky family "will not go short of cuddles".
Dogs Trust said: "Ursula came to us with some large skin tags, but after a full examination from our vets they are confident that these are nothing of concern. They are due to be removed soon and shouldn't cause her any bother in the future."
Yassi
This "very high energy young girl" is looking for a home where someone is around most of the time. It's unlikely Yassi is house trained, so the "lovely" Belgian Shepherd would benefit from a family with experience of the breed and enjoy training and high energy activities.
Any kids in the home need to be confident and over the age of 15 as Yassi "can be mouthy when she wants attention and when she is over-stimulated". This behaviour can be discouraged by rewarding her for more appropriate behaviour.
She'll also need to be the only pet in the home until she learns to play more appropriately with other dogs. She enjoys walking on her lead and having a good sniff, and she's currently learning to focus on her handler and how to settle in the rehoming centre's offices during the day.
Dogs Trust said: "Tasty treats are always a good bargaining tool, or even encouraging her onto a tennis ball or favourite toy as a reward for making better choices. Yassi has been friendly meeting people outside of her kennel and will jump up to say hello."
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