He came back to the charity after the owner who rehomed him four years ago developed dementia and could no longer look after him.

Now SNDogs wants to find a new forever home for the nine-year-old Chihuahua Spitz cross.

"He’s a very fun loving and affectionate dog,” said trustee and volunteer Clare Fantini-Stephens.

“Simbad can be quite shy of new people.

“When the fosterer first got him he would growl and bark at her, but after two or three days she won his trust, and now he is part of their family.

“He just takes a while to trust new people. I think he is wary that people are going to hurt him, but the fosterer has a great relationship with him now – she can put him on her shoulders and he doesn’t mind!” Clare said.

The pooch would make a good family pet, though the charity recommend he would be best in a home where there aren’t children under 10 years old.

“Simbad loves going for a walk, although he’s not so keen when it’s wet,” said Clare. “And he loves having a bath and having his hair brushed.”

Simbad also enjoys playing fetch and is generally a well-behaved pooch.

“Although he can be cheeky,” said Clare.

“If you want him to sit down, he won’t always do it unless you have a treat for him, because he wants to have that.

“So you have to make sure you have one before he will do it, but he knows perfectly well what to do.”

The hound will also find his way into a bin if he is left on his own near one.

Clare said: “Simbad would be happy as the only pet in a household, but he does like other dogs.

“He’s not very keen on cats, when he’s on a walk and he sees one he immediately wants to chase it. But he likes meeting different kinds of dogs - he’s very friendly with them,” she said.

Because of his wariness with new people, Simbad has not had much interest from potential new owners.

“Simbad deserves to have a fun loving family because he’s got so much love to give.

“He really deserves to be adopted and get lots of the love back that he is willing to give people,” said Clare.

SNDogs runs a foster organisation based in Pinehurst, where homeless and rescued dogs are looked after in a network of volunteer homes.

It asks for a £200 donation for each dog adopted, to help it cover the cost of previous care.

Visit sndogs.uk or email sndrescue@gmail.com for further details.