What is the rarest canine breed within the UK? Perhaps it is the otterhound, with worldwide numbers within the a whole bunch, or the Scottish terrier, a breed that registered simply 406 puppy births within the UK in 2023? Or perhaps it is the now-rare Dandie Dinmont, a canine as soon as so famend that Agatha Christie and Queen Victoria each owned one?
The fact is, there are dozens of vulnerable native dog breeds within the UK, some well-known and others much less acquainted. The Kennel Club says many of those “breeds are at threat of disappearing from our parks and streets, just because folks don’t know they exist or as a result of they aren’t thought-about modern.”
It’s time these breeds discovered the limelight as soon as extra. Here, we check out 10 of Britain’s forgotten dogs – and reveal what makes them so particular.
10 of the rarest canine breeds within the UK
Bearded collie
Bearded collies are herding dogs which originate from the Borders and Highlands of Scotland, and dogs resembling the breed as we all know it in the present day are thought to this point again not less than 500 years. At its peak, within the late Eighties, the breed was registering practically 2,000 puppies yearly, however their numbers have since plummeted. Bearded collies are usually regular, clever and full of life – and so they thrive on human companionship, so they’re very properly suited to dog-loving households.
English setter
The origins of the breed dates to 1825 – their heyday was in 1980, when 1,706 puppies have been registered that yr by The Kennel Club, however their numbers have since dropped by 85%. As properly as being very lively, the English setter can be identified to be outgoing and good-natured. Whilst they love affection, they’re a big breed so require house owners that may present them with a whole lot of train, and a big home and backyard.
Sealyham terrier
Once owned by Princess Margaret, the Sealyham terrier takes its title from the village the place it originated, in Pembrokeshire, on the river Seal. Around a century in the past, the breed was registering greater than 2,000 puppies a yr, and was as soon as popularised by quite a lot of movie stars, with historic house owners together with Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock. Sadly it’s a unique story for the breed nowadays, with lower than 150 puppies registered in 2023.
Irish wolfhound
The Irish wolfhound is called a mild big and is the tallest canine breed recognised within the UK. It was initially bred to see off wolves which have been a fantastic menace to livestock in Ireland – by the top of the 18th century the wolf was extinct in Ireland and breed numbers dwindled. With the Great Famine in Ireland within the 1840s, the breed grew to become very uncommon, nevertheless it bounced again after changing into the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards in 1902.
Smooth fox terrier
Perhaps greatest referred to as Nipper, the ‘HMV dog’, which has been seen throughout numerous file labels and souvenirs. While much less well-known than the wire fox terrier, the graceful was the primary number of fox terriers to be recognised. The early variations of the breed have been typically brown or black and tan however, with the intention to make them extra recognisable from foxes when working, in the present day’s breed is predominantly white with small patches of black and tan. The breed was within the prime 5 hottest dogs within the Nineteen Twenties, with over 2,000 puppies born and registered a yr, however a century later, it’s a very totally different story. They are identified to be a pleasant and alert breed, which wants as much as an hour of train a day, with access to a backyard.
Irish terrier
The Irish terrier is taken into account to be one of many oldest terriers and was the fourth hottest canine within the Eighties. The breed is most recognisable for its vibrant crimson coat, and they’re identified for being good-tempered and dedicated to their house owners.
Welsh springer spaniel
Whilst you could have come throughout English springer spaniels, their Welsh counterpart is far much less well-known. ‘Welshies’, as they’re typically affectionately identified, have a wealthy crimson and white coat, and may be traced again so far as the Middle Ages when a ‘red and white Welsh hunting dog’ was chronicled in Welsh literature.
Clumber spaniel
The Clumber spaniel’s origins may be traced to circa 1770, because of Henry the twond Duke of Newcastle, who’s related to the breed, and it takes its title from the household’s seat, Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. It has an extended historical past of being favoured by royalty – each King Edward VII and his son George V had Clumber spaniels. They are a extremely smart breed however do require common grooming owing to their ample coat.
Lancashire healer
Belonging to the Pastoral group, ancestors of the Lancashire heeler embody the Welsh corgi and Manchester terrier. The breed was beforehand referred to as the Ormskirk heeler, as they have been used to herd cattle to market within the Welsh space of Ormskirk. Lancashire heelers are identified to be clever and constant dogs, with brief legs however an enormous coronary heart, who make an affectionate household canine.
Cardigan Welsh corgi
Cousin to the extra well-known Pembroke Welsh corgi, which was favoured by Queen Elizabeth II, Cardigan Welsh corgis are clever little dogs. Despite their brief legs, corgis are lively and alert, having been initially bred to assist farmers with livestock. Despite their countryside origins, Corgis thrive in each nation and city, and might make a fantastic, regular companion for a first-time proprietor.
To discover out extra about all 223 native canine breeds within the UK, try The Kennel Club’s A to Z of breeds.
Words: Laura Lloyd, The Kennel Club
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