Britain's most unwanted dog is back in kennels after failing to settle with his new owners, it has emerged.

Sandy, a 13-year-old wire-haired mongrel, found a new home after spending more than 11 years in a refuge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

The move came after a national appeal by refuge staff last month.

But three weeks after he moved away to Leicestershire, Sandy is back at the kennels where he may now have to spend the rest his life.

Kathleen Copeland, an animal care worker at the Eighton Banks refuge, said: ''It's quite sad really. He went from being quite low in the pecking order here to being the only dog at his new home.

''I think he was trying it on a bit and was being a bit aggressive so his owners decided to bring him back.

''He was very pleased to see us and ran straight back into his kennel. He is none the worse for his experience.

''He thinks his home is the kennels as he has spent so long here he has become institutionalised. The committee will decide whether we put him up for rehousing again or whether we keep him here.

''But he does not face a bleak future. We do not put down dogs unless they are terminally ill and he is very well looked after.''

Refuge staff had hundreds of calls from dog lovers offering a new home for Sandy, who was left at the refuge in 1989 when he was two.

Simon and Anne Hunt from Shearsby in Leicestershire were chosen as the new owners but have reluctantly handed him back.

Refuge staff are asking the public not to phone and offer Sandy a new home.