Is this Britain's most forgotten dog?

Woody has celebrated his 11th birthday in kennels in Shoreham

A dog which has spent most of his life in kennels has celebrated his 11th birthday, making him one of Britain's most forgotten dogs, Dogs Trust has said.

Woody, a Shih Tzu cross poodle, arrived at a Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Shoreham, West Sussex, in September 2015 after his owners struggled with some of the animal's behaviours.

Michaela Wells, assistant manager at the centre, said Woody was overlooked by potential new owners due to his medical conditions, which are managed with regular medication.

"He deserves to spend his next birthday on a cosy sofa, not in a kennel," she said.

Since his arrival, Woody has undergone training and is desperate for a forever home, according to the centre.

"Woody is an incredible dog. He's clever, playful and full of personality and we adore him, but what he really needs is a home of his own," Ms Wells said.

"After a decade of waiting, we know there's someone out there who's the perfect match for Woody. We just need to find them."

The centre said its staff would be happy to speak to potential adopters about Woody's health and how to manage it at home.

'One of a kind'

Despite the lack of interest in Woody over the years, staff at the site in Shoreham have pulled out all the stops every year to ensure his big day does not go unnoticed.

This year, Woody was showered with birthday cards, toys and gifts from his fans, thanks to his new role as a sponsor dog.

The staff described him as "the most intelligent dog we've ever worked with" and "one of a kind".