CLEVER, intelligent and with a nose as sensitive as any, Spike is a fun, sprightly and energetic puppy.

But call the six-month-old's name and the terrier won't come running - because it is deaf.

Because of its deafness, Spike is now also homeless, having been sent to the National Canine Defence League's (NCDL) rescue centre at Sadberge, Darlington, unwanted, unloved and very misunderstood.

Centre staff are desperate to find it a permanent new home with patient owners who can commit to training Spike to cope with the disability.

Catherine Gillie, centre manager, said: "He's such a bonnie chap. He needs understanding owners who can put in lots of time with him, such as reading up about training deaf dogs.

"He may even suit a hearing impaired person who signs, because he would benefit from learning to read hand signals."

When NCDL dogs are rehomed, they are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and vet checked.

The National Animal Sanctuary Support League (NASSL) in Darlington is also still looking for a home for Pippa, which was featured in The Northern Echo on Wednesday.

Pippa is an 18-month-old cross-bred bitch which has been nurtured back to health and confidence after being discovered on the streets of Middlesbrough looking like "a little bag of bones".

Anybody who can offer Spike a home should contact the NCDL on (01325) 333114, or people wanting to offer Pippa a home should contact NASSL on (01325) 321855.