The RSPCA rehomed 125 dogs in the county last year and the charity says despite Staffies being the most rescued breed, designer dogs are appearing more at its rehoming centres.

Last year, the charity rescued 133 dogs from abuse and neglect in Kent and received 18,064 calls to its 24-hour cruelty hotline about animals in the county.

The national animal charity is on a rehoming drive, Adoptober, as figures show while pure-breed and crossbreed Staffies, lurchers, Jack Russells and German shepherds are still the most common dog to go into care, more more trendy ‘handbag’ breeds and fashionable crossbreeds are also ending up in RSPCA animal centres.

Nationally figures show the number of chihuahuas going into centres has gone up by 700% in the last seven years.

In 2012 just 14 went into the charity's care while in 2018, it took in 112.

The number of French bulldogs has also gone up 236%, while Dachshunds are up 600% and Pomeranians are up 440%.

The charity is also seeing more crossbreeds and breeds used for popular crosses - such as cocker spaniels and poodles - arriving in its centres as inspectors shut down puppy farms and collect abandoned dogs and puppies.

Dog welfare expert Lisa Hens said: “Although Staffies, lurchers, Jack Russell terriers and German shepherds are still the most common dogs coming into our centres, we are seeing a general decrease in their numbers while seeing an increase in the number of fashionable crossbreeds and so-called designer dogs like Dachshunds and French bulldogs arriving in our care.

“We know that the animals coming into our care tend to reflect general dog ownership trends and there’s been a huge surge in recent years in people buying ‘designer dogs’ and crossbreeds such as cavachons, puggles and cockerpoos.

“As part of our rehoming drive, we want to shine a light on all of the dogs in our care and encourage people to adopt a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy.

"All the animals in our care have a lot of love to give and we have a huge variety of dogs in our kennels waiting for homes, of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds.”

The RSPCA rescues animals from the worst abuse and neglect and by giving them a home, you are giving them a second chance at life.

Thankfully, not all the dogs rescued by the RSPCA need to be rehomed as some already have owners and can be returned.

Some pets go to vets or come into RSPCA hospitals for treatment, while the charity also work closely with other organisations who sometimes assist with rehoming.

Adoptober is a rehoming drive to raise awareness of some of the animals in RSPCA care who so desperately need a forever home.

Like Bill, who is four and is a Japanese Akita who resides at the Leybourne Animal Centre.

Bill is a very playful, friendly boy who loves attention, craves company, enjoys a fuss, and loves to chase a ball.

He has shown a real knack for training and already knows sit, beg and many other commands, but has struggled a little with kennel life and finds it quite stressful.

Despite his size he can be timid around new people and needs an owner who will be understanding that he is a sensitive soul and will help to build his confidence.

His favourite things in life are treats which really help him when he is learning new things.

He is looking for a home with family who have experience of large dog breeds and know what to expect from Akitas who have older secondary age children over the age of 14.

He would prefer to be the only animal in the home, but with the correct training and socialisation he may be able to live with another dog in the future once he has settled in.

Sadie, 8 is a Staffordshire bull terrier who currently residing at the charity's Leybourne Animal Centre

She loves attention, and loves to sit close to people and have her chin rubbed.

She is a real sweetie and is doing very well working on her commands and is mastering sit and is looking for her forever home after her owner sadly passed away.

She will need patient owners who are willing to work with her on being left alone as she can become very anxious, so she will need a family who will be around most of the time.

Sadie is not too keen on cats and would be able to live with secondary school aged children.

Ace is two and is a Belgian Shepherd also living at the centre.

He is a lovely boy who has shown he has a very affectionate side, and loves to sit on the sofa with you and snuggle up into people's lap for a cuddle.

He is such a bright boy who is very good with agility and learning lots of new things.

His new tricks include sit, wait, down, paw and rollover.

He would love to find a family who could help him benefit from some more socialisation and training classes to help further his skills and is looking for an experienced home where someone is familiar with larger dog breeds.

Ace is a very strong boy, so is looking for either an adult-only home or one with older teenagers.

At the moment its best for Ace to be the only dog in the home as he gets very excited in their company so needs to learn how to play comfortably and calmly.

To find out more about any of the dogs, click here on its Find A Pet section.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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