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A deaf American Bulldog was brought to the UK from the Netherlands and used as a "breeding machine", according to its new owner.

Zoe Syder adopted six-year-old Duchess earlier this month after she was rescued as a stray in Camborne by St Francis Dogs Home.

She had been looking for a dog since losing another American Bulldog to cancer two years ago.

Zoe added: "It hasn’t been the same not having a dog at home so I had been looking on the St Francis page for dogs and didn’t see anything, then this little one popped up – well I say little one but she’s actually huge.

"For the past month I had been going up to visit her, to make friends and bond with her. My mum joked that because it was another American Bulldog it must be a sign."

Zoe continued: "She has been used as a breeding dog and has had multiple litters so her teats are really stretched.

"She was bought over from the Netherlands then she was just dumped. Her ears were also cropped to make her look like a pit bull but I have a letter from the police to confirm that she’s not and that she is a pure breed American Bulldog.

"As her ears were cropped years ago she still has long term ear infection as they were never treated, she's also partially deaf but hopefully her sound will return once her ears are cleared. She is absolutely wonderful and affectionate – I feel like Christmas has come early for me.

"As she was picked up in Camborne she could have gone to a number of other dogs homes so I think it’s fate she came up to Newquay.

"I have no idea of her history – we don’t know if someone went abroad to get her to use her as a breading dog. She loves everybody.

"We have been trying new foods lately and it is lovely to see her eyes pop at every new taste. I think she might have been in a house at some point because she is quite well house trained."

A post from St Francis Dogs Home about Duchess, when she first arrived, on Facebook stated: "Duchess is currently not available for homing, but we have decided to share her story.

"We were contacted by our local dog warden service asking for space for a beautiful natured American Bulldog. She had been handed into the dog warden service by a member of the public, after scanning her microchip, it was discovered she was originally imported from the Netherlands, having a Dutch chip, they named her Duchess.

"Whilst under the dog warden’s care she was taken to the vets and received treatment for her poorly ears and bladder issues.

"Her treatment for her ears, skin and bladder is ongoing. As you can see from the pictures, Duchess unfortunately has had her ears cropped and has clearly had quite a few litters, our poor girl has definitely had a hard life. All that will change.

"Throughout her treatment she has always been the perfect patient, despite her ear treatment clearly causing her discomfort.

"Everyone that meets Duchess instantly falls in love with her charm, her nature is beautiful, and her mannerisms are so puppy like.

"Despite her past, Duchess loves everyone, she even has a few doggy friends on site. Watching her heal, physically and mentally, is one of the best parts of working in rescue.

"She is happy and enjoying life, like all dogs should."

Zoe's family has a long-running history with St Francis Dogs Home as her parents have been raising money for the charity through their Christmas lights for the past two years.

She added: "My parents started fundraising a couple years ago – it is a charity close to our hearts and they don’t have any government funding, they run purely on donations so it is amazing.

(Image: Tom Last)

"Every year, as the display grows in size, we have had increasing numbers of the public visiting and bringing their kids to view the display, it's become a kind of 'talked about thing' here locally at Christmas with many people asking each year about the display.

The display at 75 Trerice Drive will be switched-on this Monday.