Whether you’re looking for a playful pooch or a sensitive soul, Dogs Trust Darlington has an abundance of dogs looking for their forever home. 

From crossbreeds to dobermanns, there is a huge number of furry friends being cared for by the charity that all share the one goal - finding their perfect new owner. 

We’ve rounded up just five of the adorable dogs that you can adopt at the centre now, including sweet Val, sensitive Pixie, lovely young lad Bruce, clever Gary, and energetic Stella. 

 

Val, Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)

ValVal (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

  • Age: 2 - 5 years
  • Sex: Female

Val can be worried by new faces and situations - so she needs an understanding home that will give her time to settle in at her own pace. 

Once she has built a friendship with you, her sweet, affectionate side really shines through. Val will need to be the only pooch in the home as she prefers having all the home comforts to herself and will need to be walked in quiet areas as she can woof at other dogs. 

A quiet, adult-only home with not too many visitors will be best for Val, and would need adopters to visit her a few times before heading home. 

Val is happy to travel in the car, enjoys playing with toys, and would love to have a secure garden so that she can have some off-lead play time and zoomies. 
 

Pixie, Crossbreed 

PixiePixie (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

  • Age: 2 - 5 years
  • Sex: Female

Pixie is a sensitive lady looking for an adult home where she will be the only pet. 

She is practicing on improving her confidence around other dogs and people and is doing well, but will need ongoing training in the home and multiple visits before being adopted. 

Her ideal environment would be to have her own space to sleep, eat and have an enclosed garden to practice her favourite relaxation technique - sunbathing!

Pixie needs a family willing to give her plenty of exercise, both physical and mental. She loves being out and about! She can be worried by strangers but once you’re in Pixie’s crew, you’re there for life.

 

Bruce, Dobermann 

BruceBruce (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

  • Age: 1 - 2 years
  • Sex: Male

Bruce is looking for an active family that will enjoy taking him on plenty of adventures as well as providing him with plenty of mental stimulation. He will need a home with older teens 16+ who are comfortable around dogs that can sometimes show mouthy behaviour. 

Bruce will need to be the only pooch in the home but can have walking pals of a similar size. 

He isn’t used to being left alone - but he is very clever and will enjoy learning new things in exchange for a tasty treat.

Bruce is attending hydrotherapy for medical needs - and this will need to be continued. The team is happy to chat through this with potential adopters.

 

Gary, Mastiff Cross

GaryGary (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

  • Age: 2-5 years
  • Sex: Male

Gary is looking for an adult home with no visiting children, where he is the only pet. 

He is very clean in his kennel, therefore we do suspect he will still have his housetraining, although rehoming Gary will require a few meets at the centre.

Gary's one true love is food. He can be a little anxious around resources, but has learnt to share with his carers, which in time will transfer to new owners. 

He does have a sensitive side, with loud noises spooking him, so would prefer a quieter environment.

 

Stella, Great Dane Cross

StellaStella (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

  • Age: 1-2 years
  • Sex: Female

Stella is an amazing girl who just needs a bit of time for her wonderful personality to shine through. A couple of meets at the centre to build a bond prior to adoption will need to take place. 

Stella likes to be kept entertained and having company so will need someone at home throughout the day and can live with teenagers who are comfortable around big, bouncy dogs.

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With meeting other dogs Stella is polite and greets them well so can live with another pending a successful introduction. Brushing up on her basic training will be beneficial as well as building up positive associations with handling as she can find this quite worrying.

Stella is full of energy and such a playful character! She enjoys games and playtimes and will do ‘swapsies’ with her toys. 

There is a sensitive side to Stella so new experiences will need to be introduced at a steady pace, but she is keen to learn so will soon be a star pupil.