HEARTBREAKING: The 'adorable' dog so unlucky in love he has been rejected 3,000 times

NO wonder this doleful dog lives up to its name of Blue… He’s the Valentine’s Day pet whose quest for love has been turned down thousands of times.

Blue the lurcher looking up to the sky

Left in the lurch. Blue the lurcher has been waiting 465 days for a new home (Image: RSPCA)

The way Blue the lurcher has been left in the lurch for the last 465 days is being highlighted today to show which dog breeds are most overlooked at animal rescue centres. Rhodesian ridgebacks, English bull terriers, American bulldogs and Staffies are the breeds that spend longest waiting to find a new home. Yet for poor Blue his marathon stay at a rehoming centre has left the RSPCA astounded.

Although red is traditionally the colour of romance, the animal welfare charity says four year old Blue also deserves lots of loving because he is such a calm, friendly dog.

Since he arrived at the RSPCA’s Suffolk East and Ipswich branch in November, 2017, when his owner was struggling to handle him, he has been overlooked by potential new owners more than 3,000 times, with one adoption failing at the last minute.

Manager at the rescue centre Zoe Barrett said: “If you want a dog to go and sit and have a cuddle with, all the staff here go and sit with Blue. He is a real favourite for all of us. We absolutely adore him and just want to see him settle into a long term home.”

Blue the lurcher being walked

Blue the lurcher is described as calm and friendly and yet nobody has offered him a home (Image: RSPCA)

Blue playing with his toys

Playful Blue has been overlooked by more than 3,000 potential owners (Image: RSPCA)

Focus on the Human-Animal Bond. “Dogs and cats have broken down the walls of our hearts. There haven’t been comparable domesticated species in 5,000 years.” For Dr. Becker, it’s clear that pets and people have evolved to benefit each other. He explains, “When you’re petting them, you both get this massive release of oxytocin, prolactin, dopamine, and a decrease in cortisol. It’s a reciprocal biochemical spa treatment.” As they age, it can be easy to take pets for granted. Make time for a little human-animal bonding every day.

As the RSPCA was making a case for Blue to be rehomed, it detailed the average times different breeds spend waiting at its rescue centres before being adopted.

Latest figures show Rhodesian ridgebacks have an average stay of 118 days followed by English bull terrier crosses, who wait 97 days, and American bulldogs with a 76 day wait.

Staffies, recently voted the nation’s best loved breed in an ITV poll, are the most frequently seen dogs arriving in RSPCA care and spend an average of 47 days in care before they are rehomed.

By comparison, smaller breeds are being snapped up by new owners. Toy poodles take on average only 10 days to find a home. Pugs wait two days longer while shih-tzus spend an average of two weeks before they have new owners.

Rhodesian ridgeback standing

Rhodesian ridgebacks have to wait on average the longest to be rehired (Image: RSPCA)

Table showing average waiting time in dogs homes

Table showing the average waiting times of dogs at RSPCA centres (Image: RSPCA)

RSPCA pet welfare expert Lisa Hens explained while staff caring for animals on a daily basis know how lovable and different each dog is from one another, some breeds sadly take longer to find a perfect match.

She said: “This is probably due to a combination of reasons. For example, size or beliefs about particular breeds and types can stop people from even considering the possibility of adopting certain dogs.

“With so many of the same type of dog in our care it can be difficult for individuals to stand out from the crowd despite their great potential. Sadly in some cases, animals are overlooked just because of how they look.

“We would urge anyone looking for a pet to do their research, especially as the reputation of a particular breed or type is often undeserved. Just like people, all dogs are individuals and they should find out if they are a good match for that particular animal to see if they can offer them a loving home.”

To see all the animal available for rehoming in RSPCA care visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet