Valerie may soon need a new home (Picture: NTI)

Dogs rarely hide their affections – this puppy least of all.

Jack Russell-chihuahua-cross Valerie was born with a heart-shaped patch on her fur at Joanne and Dave Boardman’s home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Commenting on her unusual new pet, Joanne said: ‘It is just so obvious you can’t miss it. I have never seen anything like it before.’

Valerie will initially share her home with 25 other dogs, including 12 puppies, as the dog-mad Boardmans also own five Chihuahuas, a Great Dane, Yorkshire Terrier, poodle, British Bulldog, Jack Russell and two Yorkshire Terrier crosses, This Is Staffordshire reports.


Her stay in Newcastle-under-Lyme may be short-lived, as 40-year-old Joanne has admitted she may be forced to find a new home for the heart-shaped puppy.



‘Because of the number of dogs we have I don’t think we will be able to keep her,’ she revealed.

Joanne’s daughter Stacey added: ‘I’d like to keep her, but I don’t think I will be able to persuade my dad. We keep in touch with all the people who have had a puppy off us and usually they come back for another one.

‘We always make sure they are going to a good home.’