Meet the Muttley Crew of 'Underdogs' struggling to find homes due to their unusual appearances

 

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Dogs are often referred to as 'man's best friend'. 

But for 122 pups at the Dogs Trust, finding a loving family is proving to be tricky. 

These so–called 'Underdogs' have been in the charity's care for at least six months – with some waiting years to find a forever home. 

According to experts, underdogs are often overlooked due to their unusual appearance, age, or need for extra training. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jay McGuinness, Canine Rehoming & Welfare Manager at Battersea, explained: 'Looks can influence first impressions, particularly when people are searching online. 

'Black Greyhounds and other black dogs are a good example of how certain animals can be overlooked for reasons that aren't about their personality or suitability as a pet. 

'Historically, black Greyhounds have taken a lot longer to rehome than other dogs, often because of an assumption that their features can be less distinct in photos and they may not stand out as easily when people are browsing online.

'However, in many cases it is not just about appearance, but a combination of misconceptions around age, size and breed.'

Rossi is a 10-year-old crossbreed with minor luxation of both patella, who the Dogs Trust describes as a 'senior gentleman'

Chip is a young Akita Cross looking for adopters who have had experience with large/high-energy breeds

The Dogs Trust currently has 122 Underdogs under its care, which range in size, age, breed and temperament.

'Finding a dog their forever home is always our top priority,' it explained. 

'And for as long as we can ensure their health, happiness and wellbeing in our care, we'll do everything we can to find their perfect match, however long it takes.'

One of the biggest underdogs is Hamish – a four–year–old Great Dane crossbreed, described as a 'sweet and goofy boy'. 

'Hamish is a strong, energetic lad who is still working on his lead manners and would benefit from physically capable adopters, ideally a two person household, who can manage his strength and continue his training using the thing he loves most, food!' his page explains. 

'As Hamish likes to investigate the world with his mouth, he'll need a tidy, uncluttered home where objects can be kept safely out of reach while he settles in.'

In contrast, Joe is a tiny four–year–old Chihuahua on the lookout for a home with Amy, an 11–year–old Chihuahua. 

The Dogs Trust explained: 'Joe can be a little worried by new people, but once you're in his circle, you're in for good! 

Joe is a tiny four–year–old Chihuahua on the lookout for a home with Amy, an 11–year–old Chihuahua

Ralphie is a 5-year-old Terrier looking for a calm home set up with adult adopters

'In his ideal home, he would love to spend his days with a family who can help him grow in confidence at his own pace, with Amy right there cheering him on.'

Other underdogs looking for forever homes include Akita Cross, Chip, and crossbreed Rossi, who requires ongoing medical care. 

'Rossi has minor luxation of both patella that doesn't bother him,' the Dogs Trust reassured. 

So, why are these adorable dogs struggling to find homes? 

According to the experts, there are several factors at play, including looks, size, and stereotypes about certain breeds. 

'Of the cohort of dogs that have been with us for longer than 6 months, 47% of them are classed as large sized dogs and 39% are medium sized dogs,' a Dogs Trust spokesperson told the Daily Mail. 

'Older dogs can be overlooked in favour of younger pups, but they deserve a loving home just as much. 

'There are lots of benefits when it comes to rehoming an old dog: less exercise but can be just as fun and playful, more likely to be fully house–trained and, as they are older and wiser, they usually know other training basics too, but you can certainly still teach an old dog new tricks.' 

One of the biggest underdogs is Hamish – a four–year–old Great Dane crossbreed, described as a 'sweet and goofy boy'

Lizzie Longlegs is a 10-year-old Saluki cross, who the Dogs Trust describe as a 'gentle soul'

Mr McGuinness added: 'We often see older dogs overlooked because people assume they won't be able to learn new things, larger dogs passed over because they are thought to need lots of space, and Greyhounds assumed to be high-energy when the reality is often very different.

'Ultimately, every dog is an individual, and many dogs simply need the opportunity to show who they really are.'

Could you provide a home for an underdog? You can find more information on the Dogs Trust and Battersea website. 

'Keep an open mind. Rather than focusing solely on age, breed or appearance, take the time to get to know a dog's personality and needs,' Mr McGuinness advised. 

'Rehoming from a rescue, like Battersea, is a really positive first step because every dog in our care has been carefully assessed by our behavioural and veterinary teams. 

'We build a detailed understanding of each dog's unique personality, training needs and the type of home they're likely to thrive in.

'We also take the time to understand each potential owner's lifestyle and circumstances when they come to us, so we can make a thoughtful and considered match in the best interests of the owners and future pet.'

The news comes shortly after the Royal Kennel Club revealed the breeds that have proved the most popular so far this year.

Topping the list is the Labrador Retriever, with 6,161 litter registrations throughout the first quarter of 2026.

Cocker Spaniels are next (4,237 registrations), followed by Golden Retrievers (2,298), and Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds (1,844).

Along with the six other breeds in the top ten, these are all fairly predictable, the Royal Kennel Club explains.

However, the picture further down the list is 'markedly different'.

The experts were surprised to discover a surge in the popularity of Whippets in the UK, with 727 registrations in the first quarter of 2026 – an 18 per cent year–on–year increase.

This makes the breed – loved by celebrities including Jennifer Saunders, Laura Jackson and Kit Harington – the 11th most popular in the UK.

WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMONLY HELD MYTHS ABOUT DOGS?

It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true. 

Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney.

1. Dogs don't like to share 

2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted 

3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog 

4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home

5. Dogs like to be active and don't need as much relaxation time as humans 

6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with  

7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive 

8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won't always suffice 

9. Sometimes a dog isn't misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want 

10. Subtle facial signals often preempt barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy

https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-15867753/Meet-Muttley-Crew-Underdogs-struggling-homes.html

Books

 

“Books only have two smells. The smell of a new book, which is good, and the smell of an old book, which is even better."

— Ray Bradbury

Noah's Ark mystery deepens as ancient map points to resting place of biblical vessel

 By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Published: 15:28, 27 May 2026 | Updated: 16:20, 27 May 2026

The largest known early world map may have pointed to the resting place of Noah's Ark for nearly 440 years.

Created in 1587 by Italian nobleman and cartographer Urbano Monte, the massive Planisphere stretches nearly 10 feet wide when fully assembled and is packed with elaborate illustrations of continents, mythical creatures and unexplored lands.

Hidden within the map is a small depiction of Noah's Ark resting on the mountains of Ararat in modern-day Turkey, the same region many believe still hides the legendary vessel.

The striking detail has sparked fascination because the Bible states in Genesis 8:4 that the Ark came to rest on the 'mountains of Ararat' after the Great Flood.

Some online viewers were stunned by how closely the illustration appears to align with the mysterious Durupınar site. 

Independent researcher Jimmy Corsetti wrote online: 'The same location as the Durupinar site, virtually the exact same length. Coincidence?' 

Researchers have investigated the site since the 1970s, hoping to determine whether the formation is a natural geological structure or the remains of the biblical Ark.

A team currently scanning the region recently claimed to have identified hidden chambers and tunnel-like spaces beneath the earth using ground-penetrating radar.

Hidden within the map is a small depiction of Noah's Ark resting on the mountains of Ararat in modern-day Turkey, the same region many believe still hides the legendary vessel

Just 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey's tallest peak, the Durupınar Formation emerged less than a century ago

Monte created the map during the height of the Age of Exploration, when European cartographers were rapidly redrawing the known world following voyages to the Americas and Asia.

Unlike most maps from the 16th century, the Planisphere was designed from a north polar perspective, placing the Arctic at the center of the world.

The enormous map consists of 60 separate hand-drawn sheets that can be assembled into a single circular image measuring nearly 10 feet across.

It is filled with elaborate illustrations of ships, sea monsters, mythical creatures and detailed notes describing distant lands and cultures.

Historians believe Monte was inspired to create the map after a Japanese delegation visited Milan in 1585, exposing Europeans to new global perspectives.

The original manuscript is now housed at Stanford University's David Rumsey Map Center, where it was digitally restored and made available online.

The depiction has drawn attention because it places Noah’s Ark on the mountains of Ararat centuries before modern researchers began searching the region for evidence of the biblical vessel.

The Bible recounts Noah's Ark resting on the 'mountains of Ararat' after a 150-day flood submerged the Earth, sparing only those aboard the wooden vessel.

Created in 1587 by Italian nobleman and cartographer Urbano Monte, the massive Planisphere stretches nearly 10 feet wide when fully assembled and is packed with elaborate illustrations of continents, mythical creatures and unexplored lands

A team of American researchers working at the Durupınar Formation near Mount Ararat uncovered evidence of hidden tunnels as described in the biblical account

Biblical measurements describe the ark as 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high - that's approximately 515 feet long, 86 feet wide and 52 feet tall.

The measurements of the formation in Turkey appear to match those given in the Bible.

Located just 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, the Durupınar Formation has only been known to the modern world for less than a century.

According to local reports, heavy rains and earthquakes in May 1948 washed away the surrounding mud, revealing the mysterious formation. It was then discovered by a Kurdish shepherd.

What is even more intriguing is that the formation sits near a mountain with a peak that some believe matches the ark's shape and dimensions.

According to biblical measurements, the ark was '300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high,' roughly 515 feet long, 86 feet wide and 52 feet tall.

Archaeologist and amateur researcher Ron Wyatt first visited the Durupınar site in eastern Turkey in 1977, claiming the boat-shaped geological formation was the remains of Noah's Ark.

In 2024, researchers identified angular structures as deep as 20 feet beneath the surface, features that could represent rooms below a deck-like platform

Decades later, in 2019, the Noah's Ark Scans team began exploring the mysterious mound with modern technology to peer deep below the surface.

The idea that the ark landed on Mount Ararat has long sparked debate. While many scientists argue that the formation is a naturally occurring geological feature, others are convinced it points to something far more extraordinary.

The team at Noah's Ark Scans firmly believes the latter.

The team recently announced the discovery of hidden tunnels as described in the biblical account.

Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with Noah's Ark Scans, used ground-penetrating radar to uncover a network of 'corridors' converging on a hollow central chamber he dubbed the atrium.

Jones linked the discovery to the Bible's description of the Ark, which states the boat contained three internal levels built to shelter Noah, his family and pairs of animals.

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The researchers added further studies using infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology that can uncover hidden structures underground, have also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried deep in the soil

'God told Noah to bring the animals in. And so these animals would have stayed there, plus Noah and his family,' Jones told GB News.

'What's interesting is that these voids are lining up below the ground - and they're not just random. These tunnels also follow a pattern. GPR is just a way to look below the soil using radar.'

He added further studies using infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology that can uncover hidden structures underground, have also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried deep in the soil.

https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-15852247/noahs-ark-map-ararat-turkey.html

Do Dogs Have a Sense of Time?

 

Dogs can’t tell time, but they do have a concept of time based on the routine in their lives.

By

Debby McMullen, CDBC

-

Published:March 23, 2025Updated:October 17, 2025

0

Your dog may not be able to tell you that it’s 7 a.m. and time to get up, but he knows you’re supposed to be awake now and downstairs with him. Credit: jules Clark | Getty Images

Dogs do have a sense of time. They use natural circadian rhythms based on light cycles for much of their version of telling time. Dogs can also tell time by the routines of humans in their lives. Waking, working, school, recreational activities, etc. all have telltale actions and accessories that help the dogs that we live with know what might happen next. They know that potty usually comes first when awakening, then perhaps breakfast and maybe followed by a walk. Or if you are part of the 9-to-5 workday crew, maybe walks take place after coming home from work and your dog spends the day sleeping.

How Do Dogs Know What Time It Is?

Dogs love routine, which helps them develop a sense of time, even when home alone. The sounds of your neighborhood change with the time of day. Dogs can sense when you are due home by the sounds and even the smells of what is happening outside. Dogs can even tell whether your exit will be a typical routine exit or something altogether different based on your actions preceding such, the clothing that you choose to wear and even the smell of your body.  Different emotions create different smells in our bodies. They may act differently if your exit routine is different than usual as that may create more of an uncertainty about your return time frame.

Do Dogs Understand the Passage of Time?

Dogs don’t tell time by a clock, but they can tell time is passing. So, what happens when you go on vacation and are gone for longer than a workday or a dinner out? Well, ideally, you get your dog acclimated to something like that when they are young so that it’s not such a shock when they are say, 5 years old and you suddenly get a yearning to vacation overseas.

Will they notice how long you are gone? The short answer is yes, they notice by waking and sleeping cycles and meal cycles and how they typically pass the time. I think it’s likely more traumatic for them when they are boarded if this is not something that they have previously experienced versus staying in their own home with a known person. But every dog is different.

Do Dogs Have a Concept of Time?

They cannot count hours or days like humans can. But they can tell that the time passed is different. Their greeting when you return will be far more exuberant than when you come home from work or dinner out. But again, if this is just another routine part of their lives that started as a puppy or an adolescent, then the extra time passage is less traumatic than it would be coming suddenly as an adult dog.

That said, routines are the bottom line here for helping your dog to better understand the passage of time, no matter what that routine consists of.

Debby McMullen, CDBC

Certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Debby McMullen specializes in behavior consultations with an emphasis on multiple dog households as well as aggression. She owns Pawsitive Reactions, LLC in Pittsburgh and ran her own Doberman rescue for nearly 15 years. In addition to offering seminars and webinars, Debby is the author of the "How Many Dogs? Using Positive Reinforcement Training to Manage a Multiple Dog Household."  

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/do-dogs-have-a-sense-of-time/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSBaI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEexPoKNIeXzVequ0k2aPPe0gTz7VyHPzGy6ApF6zqCk0YVgbYALlrCh3GA2Ak_aem_buY7DhySI2-kpadIj7HtkA