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Whether it’s a fluffy cockapoo or a sweet Labrador, an estimated 10 million British households share their home with a dog.
But despite being the number one pet among Brits, several dog breeds are at risk of being wiped out completely.
The Kennel Club has drawn up a list of 34 vulnerable native British and Irish breeds that have fewer than 300 registrations per year.
The list includes adorable breeds like the Bearded Collie, King Charles Spaniel, Skye Terrier, and Curly Coated Retriever (scroll down for the full list).
“Many native British and Irish breeds are at risk of disappearing from our parks and streets simply because people do not know they exist, or because they are not considered fashionable,” the Kennel Club explained.
The Kennel Club has drawn up a list of 34 vulnerable native British and Irish breeds that have fewer than 300 registrations per year. 1. Bearded Collie 2. Bloodhound 3. Bull Terrier (miniature) 4. Collie (Smooth) 5. Dandie Dinmont Terrier 6. Deerhound 7. English Setter 8. English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) 9. Foxhound 10. Fox Terrier ( Smooth) 11. Glen of Imaal Terrier 12. Gordon Setter 13. Greyhound 14. Harrier 15. Irish Red & White Setter 16. Irish Wolfhound 17. King Charles Spaniel 18. Kerry Blue Terrier 19. Lakeland Terrier 20. Lancashire Heeler 21. Manchester Terrier 22. Mastiff 23. Norwich Terrier 24. Otterhound 25. Retriever (Curly Coated) 26. Sealyham Terrier 27. Skye Terrier 28. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 29. Spaniel (Clumber) 30. Spaniel (Field) 31. Spaniel (Irish Water ) ) 32. Spaniel (Sussex) 33. Spaniel (Welsh Springer) 34. Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
The list includes adorable breeds such as the Bearded Collie, King Charles Spaniel, Skye Terrier and Curly Coated Retriever. Figures show there was only one Foxhound registered in 2022 (stock image)
According to The Kennel Club, the top 10 breeds in Britain – including the Labrador, French Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel – account for more than 60 percent of annual puppy registrations for all breeds.
At the other end of the scale, some breeds have such low numbers that they are completely unrecognizable to many Britons.
“(This) is worrying because it means that breeds that may be a perfect fit for people’s lifestyles are being overlooked in favor of other breeds that may not be, simply because they are not as well known,” the Kennel Club said .
In the hope of protecting these dwindling breeds, the Kennel Club has created a Vulnerable Native British and Irish Breed List, which includes breeds with fewer than 300 registrations per year.
Some breeds on the list are close to this threshold, including the Miniature Bull Terrier (293 registrations in 2022), the Bearded Collie (281 registrations) and the Gordon Setter (251 registrations).
But others have had dangerously low registrations in recent years.
The Kennel Club figures show that there was only one Foxhound registered in 2022, while Harriers (nine registrations), Greyhounds (22 registrations) and Otterhounds (30 registrations) fared only marginally better.
The top 10 breeds in Britain – including the Labrador, French Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel – account for more than 60 percent of annual puppy registrations for all breeds. At the other end of the scale, some breeds have such low numbers that they are completely unrecognizable to many Britons. In the photo: a miniature bull terrier
The Kennel Club is now calling on potential dog buyers to consider these vulnerable breeds. In the photo: a Smooth Collie (left) and a Welsh Corgi (right)
However, it is not all doom and gloom.
Last month, The Kennel Club revealed that the Curly Coated Retriever (which is on the vulnerable breed list) is making a comeback, with a surge in popularity in the first half of 2023.
The breed has welcomed 45 puppies so far in 2023 – a fivefold increase compared to 2022, when just nine puppies were born.
Speaking to MailOnline, Bill Lambert, a spokesperson for The Kennel Club, said: ‘We are pleased that one of our vulnerable native breeds has seen a boost in popularity this year, indicating that many puppy buyers are resisting the urge to look for the best to go. obvious and fashionable choices and instead take the time to research the full range of breeds and select the best for their lifestyle.
‘We have such a wide variety of different dogs in this country, each with different characteristics, so it is encouraging to see such a historic, yet vulnerable breed among the dogs that are becoming increasingly popular.’
The Kennel Club is now calling on potential dog buyers to consider these vulnerable breeds.
“To give these dogs the chance they deserve, it is important that if you are thinking about purchasing a dog, you consider the lesser-known breeds,” the report said.
‘There are more than 200 dog breeds recognized in the UK, so there is a breed for everyone.
‘We find that people tend to choose a breed from the collection of breeds they have previously heard of, meaning the perfect breed for them and their lifestyle is overlooked.’