An animal charity has revealed some of the outlandish excuses trotted out by people getting rid of their pooches as it braces itself for the annual influx of unwanted dogs given as presents over Christmas.

The welfare charity Dogs Trust said other animals had been rejected for barking too much or because they couldn't perform tricks.

It has now launched its festive campaign, A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas, to drive home the message that potential owners should carefully consider what is involved before getting a pet.

The campaign discourages giving an animal as a present and in line with this, the Dogs Trust does not rehome any dogs between December 22 and 29, or until January 2 at its centres in Scotland.

Reasons given at centres around the UK have been: 'He keeps scaring the goldfish'; 'he snores really loudly', 'he can’t do any tricks'; 'my dog keeps passing wind'.

The Dogs Trust said some are handed in 'just for being dogs' and the charity said it is is bracing itself for the latest influx of unwanted presents.

Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of the Trust, said: 'This year sees the 34th anniversary of Dogs Trust’s iconic slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" and sadly it’s as true today as when it was first coined.

'We see a number of dogs handed into our rehoming centres in the days and weeks following Christmas when the appeal of a cute puppy has worn off.

'It seems that people are still giving puppies as Christmas presents without considering the long-term ramifications.

'Dogs can provide a world of happiness and enjoyment, and we urge anyone considering a new addition to the family to think it through properly and remember that the only place a puppy should be is on the outside of the wrapping paper, not inside it.'