Gloria the rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s 400-day search for forever home

After spending more than 400 days in the care of the RSPCA, Gloria the six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier is ready to find her forever home.

The well-trained and loveable pup has spent more than 400 days waiting for her forever home. Picture: Supplied.

Gloria the Staffordshire Bull Terrier may well be the loneliest dog in Australia after spending 412 days looking for her forever home.

The six-year-old Staffy-cross was picked up by RSPCA as a stray on December 19 last year and is still no closer to finding new owners.

Gloria has become the organisation’s oldest canine resident, surpassing the average time of 37 days other rescue dogs spend at the shelter before they are rehomed.

While she’s struggled to find her forever family, Gloria has effortlessly charmed the shelter’s long-time staff.

Speaking to news.com.au, the shelter supervisor at RSPCA’s Coffs Harbour branch, Emma Van Gerven described Gloria as “full of personality” and “really easy to train”.

The “very well mannered” pup can sit, lie down and “walk very well on a lead” and has also learnt a quirk in which she likes to rearrange her toys and squish as many as she can into her mouth and carry them around.

“All-round, she a really good dog,” said Ms Van Gerven.

“She was a little bit unsure to begin with and she’s grown to be quite comfortable here and quite comfortable with the staff and volunteers.

“She loves her daily routine when she gets to go for walks and go out into different exercise yards.”

Gloria the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has spent more than 400 days waiting for her forever home. Picture: Supplied.

While Gloria enjoys going for walks, Ms Van Gerven says the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also happy relaxing with staff and volunteers as well.

“I’ve taken her into the yard we have in the back, (where) I spent some time with her and she basically played a bit of ball with me and then just sat on the grass having a cuddle,” Ms Van Gerven remembers.

“Another memory I’ll never forget is when I took her for a walk and she rolled in something but I didn’t know what it was at the time,” she said laughing.

“When I was filling up her water, she came and started rolling on me and basically wiped poo all over me and I had to give her a bath and clean myself up.”

The loveable pup is described as being “very well-mannered” and knows how to sit, lie down and walking on a lead. Picture: Supplied.

As for why it’s taken Gloria so long to find her forever home, Ms Van Gerven feels she’s often overlooked by potential owners.

“She’s got a few restrictions like fencing requirements and I think that might have put a few people off,” she says. “Unfortunately, I think people have just overlooked her when they’ve been on our website because she’s such a fantastic dog.”

According to a spokesperson for RSPCA NSW, the misconception that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are more aggressive than other dogs can make them more difficult to rehome.

Despite this, there is “no scientific evidence” to support this.

Bully breeds are incredibly loyal and cuddly and thrive in the company of their family.

“RSPCA’s stance is that any kind of dog has the potential to be dangerous, and it is the owner’s responsibility to socialise and train their pooch,” they said.

“In fact, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are nicknamed ‘nanny dogs’ in England for their reputation as being so child friendly.”

However, when Gloria does find a home, it’ll be a bittersweet but ultimately happy moment for the entire Coffs Harbour team and wider organisation.

“We’ll probably ask the owners to keep in contact with us and we’ll probably get a few photos before she leaves us,” says Ms Van Gerven.

“But for the most part, everyone is going to be absolutely stoked for her that she will have found her forever home and will be starting the next chapter in her life.”