Meet Jed the lurcher – who can justifiably claim to be Britain’s most unwanted dog.

The poor pooch, now seven, was taken in by the Dogs Trust in Sadberge near Darlington when he was just four months old.

The Trust estimate that he has subsequently been overlooked by around 17,000 potential owners – probably making him the country’s most overlooked dog.

Jed has been taken in by a couple of families, but returned on both occasions – the first time because he was found to be too energetic, and the second due to a change in the family’s circumstances.

The Trust say they are surprised Jed has not yet found a ‘forever home’ as he is such “a friendly and affectionate chap.”

“He is really cuddly and he loves affection,” said Nikki Holroyd, a canine carer at the Dogs Trust. “He spends his day in the office with all the staff, lying on a duvet.

“Lurchers often get overlooked. People are put off by how much exercise they think they need – but they don’t need too much.”

The Trust say that Jed would suit a family with older children, where someone would be home with him for most of the time.

If you would like to find out more about Jed, you can visit his page on the Dog Trust’s website.

Photo credit: SWNS