Revealed: The 46 dog breeds at risk of extinction in Britain – is your dog on the list?

With their big eyes and fluffy coats, it’s no surprise that dogs have been man’s best friend for centuries.

But new data could set alarm bells ringing for many owners in Britain.

The Kennel Cub has released new figures on the 46 breeds at risk of extermination in Britain, including Scottish terriers, rough collies and pointers.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as some breeds, including the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Yorkshire Terrier, have become increasingly popular in recent years.

So, is it good or bad news for your favorite breed?

The Kennel Club’s Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds List was created in 2004 to highlight those breeds that had fewer than 300 annual puppy registrations.

An ‘At Watch’ list has also been created for those with 300-450 annual registrations.

These lists have now been updated with 2023 registration figures, showing a total of 46 breeds at risk.

The Scottish Terrier lands on the ‘At Watch’ list for the second time in history, with just 406 puppy births in 2023.

This is a huge decline since its heyday in the mid-1930s to early 1940s, when the breed was the third most popular breed in the country.

The breed has a long history of association with both British and international brands, including Radley London, Walkers shortbread, Monopoly and the character Jock from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp.

“The Scottish Terrier has been an iconic and recognizable breed in Britain for decades and means so much to so many different people, so these latest figures are really worrying,” said Bill Lambert, spokesman for The Kennel Club.

Three other British breeds have been included on the ‘At Watch’ list for the first time.

The Pointer has been added to the list, with just 437 puppy registrations in 2023, alongside the Rough Collie (431 registrations) and Wire Fox Terrier (378 registrations).

Meanwhile, the Cairn Terrier has returned to the list, with just 437 registrations last year.

Overall, this means that there are now more breeds classified as ‘At Watch’ and ‘Vulnerable’ than ever before.

While the reasons for these declines remain unclear, Mr Lambert points out that most registrations in 2023 came from just 10 breeds.

“We are fortunate to have as many as 222 dog breeds in this country, each with unique personalities and characteristics,” he said.

But the vast majority of dogs you’ll encounter will only be from the top ten breeds.

‘People often opt for the known choices and simply forget to dig a little deeper, with the worrying knock-on effect that not only are some of our most iconic breeds in decline, but also that people may not be getting the perfect match for them.’

However, there was good news for some dog breeds, which saw a surge in popularity in 2023.

The Bernese Mountain Dog saw its numbers increase by almost a quarter (24 percent), while miniature long-haired dachshunds proved popular (20 percent increase).

English Setters also saw an increase of 18 percent, while Yorkshire Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers both increased by 14 percent.

The new figures come shortly before the launch of Crufts 2024, which starts in March and will feature all of Britain’s 222 dog breeds.

“Opportunities to meet less popular dog breeds are limited, which is why we have a unique Discover Dogs zone at Crufts,” Mr Lambert added.

‘Visitors can talk to experts and learn about each of the 222 breeds, from the most popular to vulnerable, and a huge variety in between, including breeds new to British shores and breeds that yodel rather than bark.

‘We want people to enjoy a lifelong relationship with their four-legged friends and urge potential dog owners to do their research, learn about the wide variety of breeds, and use the information and resources we provide at Crufts and online, to really understand which breed and which breeder is suitable for them.’