If a new year could mean a new pet for your home - here are five four-legged friends for you to consider.

The animals are in the care of the Dogs Trust Salisbury which covers areas including all of Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as parts of Hampshire, Somerset and Avon.

When you apply to adopt through Dogs Trust, your application will be reviewed to determine suitability. If you seem well suited, they will be in touch and may arrange a virtual home check as well as a visit to the centre to meet your potential new pet.

Dogs Trust keep in touch with anyone who adopts one of their animals and are always just a phone call away for advice and support.

If you’re considering a new furry friend to invite into your home, take a look at these five who are all looking for that special someone to take them in.


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Boogie

Dorset Echo:

Breed: Beagle
Age: 10

Despite his age, Boogie still loves being out exploring the country putting that beagle nose to work!

He is a very sociable boy who loves to meet new dogs and people on his terms.

He walks beautifully on lead so is a pleasure to be with.

Boogie loves food a little too much and often becomes uncomfortable at the possibility of sharing. For this reason, it’s advised any home isn't open plan and he can have a room such as a utility of his own for meal times.

While he is happy to have dog friends out on walks, he should be the only animal in the home so he can have all the attention.

Boogie would love his own garden to be able to continue his hobby of sunbathing but would prefer a quieter set up so feel he's better suited to an adult only home.

View Boogie's full profile via Dogs Trust.

Astra

Dorset Echo:

Breed: Akita
Age: 2 to 5 Years

Astra really enjoys her exercise and is a joy to be out on walks with. She walks well on the lead, making the most of every sniff and will take a leap for whatever water she can splash into.

Astra is one of the most playful dogs so you should be prepared for a bouncy ball of fluff to keep you entertained.

She needs confident and capable owners to help her continue to reach her potential. Her main areas of further development will be her interactions with dogs and her behaviour around food.

In need of an adult only home with no other dogs or cats, she can be left a few hours, is housetrained, and travels well in the car.

View Astra's full profile via Dogs Trust.


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Poppy

Dorset Echo:

Breed: Cairn Terrier cross
Age: 12

Poppy can be a little shy meeting new people and will take some time to settle into her new home.

She loves her toys and will happily play on her own. She is an independent girl who'll need to be the only pet in the home.

Poppy will need to live in an adult home environment with human friends who will give her time continue her training programmes to help her settle in.

She doesn't have a lot of experience being around young children, and Poppy does enjoy her own space, preferring to be in a quiet environment.

Poppy's new owners must be aware that she does not cope well meeting lots of dogs and would not enjoy being walked in busy areas. She'll need to be kept on a lead out on walks so a secure garden for off lead play is essential.

View Poppy's full profile via Dogs Trust.

Bee

Dorset Echo:

Breed: French Bulldog
Age: 3

Bee enjoys lots of cuddles and lap time once she gets to know you. She loves playing with toys and particularly likes a game of tug.

She is looking for a home where she is the only dog in the home. She would like her new owners to be around most of the time as she is only used to being left for one or two hours.

Looking for a home where she has her own garden so she can enjoy fun off-lead time, Bee will also need somewhere where children are at least 16 years old.

Her new owners should know she isn't dog friendly and will need to be walked in quiet areas away from other dogs.

View Bee's full profile via Dogs Trust.

Lupo

Dorset Echo:

Breed: German Shepherd Dog cross
Age: 5

Lupo loves playing with his toys, especially squeaky ones. He also really enjoys his one-to-one training sessions with his handlers.

Lupo did struggle when left in his previous home so would like company throughout the day to start with.

He will require direct access to his own secure garden. He can be reactive around other dogs and must be muzzled and kept on a lead during his walks.

A little unsure when meeting new people for the first time, Lupo's looking for an adult only home which doesn't have any visiting children and very minimal visitors initially.

He is a very bright boy and knows plenty of basic commands but would prefer to be walked in low dog populated areas as too many dogs can be too overwhelming.

Lupo will require his own undisturbed area for feeding times.

View Lupo's full profile via Dogs Trust.