Dogs Trust Leeds make heartbreaking appeal as greyhounds and lurchers face long waits for new owners

The average length of stay at Dogs Trust for these breeds is around two months, but can be longer than half a year.

Smaller breeds such as shih tzus spending less than a month before going off to new homes, according to the charity.

The team at Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in Leeds is appealing for more potential owners to come forward and help change that for more long-legged canines in 2021.

Dogs Trust rehoming centre manager at Leeds, Amanda Sands, said: “From smaller lurcher types to taller greyhounds, these loveable pooches very often find their way into our care through no fault of their own, and in some cases can stay with us for more than six months.

"Thankfully our dedicated team is always on hand to give them everything they need whilst they are with us, which is thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery whose support helps fund some of our wonderful Canine Carers at the centre.

“We are unsure why these breeds tend to stay with us a bit longer than others, however we find there are sometimes misconceptions about the care involved if giving them a home, coupled with more common factors that can cause them to become overlooked, such as their age, background or the colour of their coat.

“Given how fast they are, we occasionally find potential owners think greyhounds and lurchers need more exercise than the average dog, which isn’t necessarily true

"Some of them also need to wear a muzzle when out for walks because they can get overly excited around small animals - however, we often find that once we've been able to have a chat with potential owners about this, it can help them keep an open mind about having a greyhound or lurcher in their life."

Dogs Trust found new homes for more than 1,000 greyhounds and lurchers at its 20 rehoming centres across the UK last year.

The dogs in need of homes at Dogs Trust Leeds include:

River, lurcher, two years old

"River is a stunning boy who hasn’t spent much time around people or other dogs, so was quite nervous when he first arrived at the centre. The team at Dogs Trust Leeds have been working to help build his confidence. River would need to live with another playful but respectful dog in the family, to continue his socialisation."

Lyle, lurcher, three years old

"A very intelligent boy, Lyle is looking for a home that will give him lots of mental stimulation and a family who can continue his training. His love of food is very helpful when training if you bring along the tasty treats. He would be best suited to a home with lots of quiet walking areas."

Jake, lurcher, six years old

"Jake is a very handsome boy, who can be quite shy around new people when you first meet him, however, will quickly become your best friend. His favourite things in life include going for walks and taking long snoozes on a comfortable bed."

Although the rehoming centre is currently closed to the public, Dogs Trust Leeds can still rehome some dogs through their handover at home service.

For dogs who need to meet potential owners a few times before going home, the team can take interest from members of the public and arrange visits for when lockdown restrictions ease. 

If you think you have home in your heart for a long-legged canine companion, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/leeds and contact the team for more information. 

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.