DUCHESS is starting to feel like Scotland's most unwanted mutt.

The seven-year-old Staffordshire cross, has never had a home of her own since she was given to a Dog's Trust centre near Glasgow as a puppy.

The hapless hound has seen more than 7000 other dogs come and go while she languishes in the rehoming centre at Uddingston.

Duchess was brought into the Hamilton Road centre as a nine-month-old puppy and Dogs Trust volunteers are now publicising her right royal plight to try and finally find her a home.

She is one of the longest ever residents of their centres.

Kristine Weir has known Duchess since she started working as a canine carer at the centre in 2008.

She said: "I have been lucky enough to have seen thousands of dogs find their forever homes over the last seven years but nothing could really compare to seeing Duchess find a loving new family of her own.

"I shouldn't have favourites but Duchess is such an affectionate, fun-loving dog that I have a real soft spot for her."

She described Duchess as sweet natured and said she would be best suited to a home with just adults to help her settle after spending so long in kennels.

She added: "She takes a while to trust people but as soon as she gains a person's trust she will become will be your friend for life and lavish you with love."

She said Duchess would be best in a home with no other dogs so "she can enjoy all the attention herself".

A spokeswoman for the Dogs Trust said Duchess had been given to the charity for financial reasons. She said: "Her owner didn't realise how much she was going to cost."

The spokeswoman admitted Duchess took a while to trust people, which may have played a part in her being overlooked.

She said: "She's lovely natured but she takes a while to warm to people. And she's not everyone's idea of a cute, fluffy dog so that might have also affected her chances."

victoria.brenan@eveningtimes.co.uk