The popularity of dog breeds ebbs and flows as trends change but a couple of former favourites are worryingly out of favour, with some of Britain’s previously best loved pooches on at At Watch list
One of our most loved dog breeds from the past is at risk of disappearing from our streets.
The Kennel Club has been monitoring dog types with declining numbers in the UK since 2004, with 34 classed as Vulnerable Native Breeds and eight more on its At Watch list. And while Rough Collies used to be one of our most recognisable breeds, best known for starring in Lassie with the fictional dog earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, their popularity is rapidly declining.
In 1979, four years after the end of the long-running Lassie TV series, there were more than 8,000 annual puppy registrations, placing the breed in the UK top ten. But last year there were less than 500 Rough Collie puppy births, a 25 per cent decrease since 2021.
This is the lowest recorded number for the breed since the 1940s and if the trend continues they will join the At Watch list, which monitors those with between 300 and 450 puppy registrations a year. Under 300 puppy births lands a breed an unhappy spot on the Vulnerable Native Breed list, created in 2004 to raise awareness of dogs set to disappear from our parks and streets.
“We are very concerned to see this wonderful and majestic breed fall in popularity,” said Carole Smedley, Chairperson of the Rough Collie Breed Council. “I’ve spent my life surrounded by Rough Collies who have enjoyed long, healthy lives and I can confirm their friendly, happy temperament but each year their popularity is decreasing. Of course, no breed will suit everyone, but for the right owner, who can provide the right space and environment, they have so much love to give and they adore children.”
The Scottish Terrier, known for fronting brands including Walkers Shortbread and Radley London, entered the At Watch list for the second time in history last year. The breed was once the third popular in the country, back in its 1930s and 1940s heyday.
The Wire Fox Terrier, known as the dog Snowy from the TinTin franchise, was the most popular dog in the country 100 years ago but now is in the At Watch category for the first time. King Edward VII and Queen Victoria were both reported to have owned the Royal Family favourite which has fallen out of favour.
But while some breeds are declining in popularity others are gaining in popularity. Yorkshire Terriers are bouncing back after a tricky end to the last decade.
The full, most up to date list of dog breeds at risk reads:
Vulnerable Native Breeds (less than 300 puppy registrations in 2023)
- Harrier: 0
- Foxhound: 1
- Otterhound: 18
- Spaniel (Sussex): 27
- Greyhound: 35
- Skye Terrier: 36
- King Charles Spaniel: 39
- Collie (Smooth): 45
- Irish Red & White Setter: 46
- Bloodhound: 54
- Glen of Imaal Terrier: 58
- Mastiff: 69
- Spaniel (Irish Water): 76
- Spaniel (Field): 79
- Welsh Corgi (Cardigan): 82
- Retriever (Curly Coated): 83
- Fox Terrier (Smooth): 89
- English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan): 93
- Kerry Blue Terrier: 96
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier: 102
- Lancashire Heeler: 108
- Lakeland Terrier: 109
- Manchester Terrier: 110
- Deerhound: 132
- Sealyham Terrier: 136
- Gordon Setter: 137
- Norwich Terrier: 150
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: 156
- Spaniel (Welsh Springer): 167
- Irish Wolfhound: 191
- Spaniel (Clumber): 223
- Bearded Collie: 232
- Irish Terrier: 244
- English Setter: 250
- Bull Terrier (Miniature): 264
At Watch (300-450 puppy registrations in 2023)
- Bullmastiff: 321
- Bedlington Terrier: 323
- Welsh Terrier: 331
- Old English Sheepdog: 359
- Norfolk Terrier: 365
- Parson Russell Terrier: 368
- Fox Terrier (Wire): 378
- Scottish Terrier: 406
- Collie (Rough): 431
- Cairn Terrier: 437
- Pointer: 437
