A recognisable mascot for a number of the UK’s most iconic manufacturers, it was as soon as the most well-liked canine breed within the nation.
But now the way forward for the Scottish terrier may very well be below risk because the breed has fallen out of favour with canine lovers in Britain.
The small, distinctive Scottie, which is the adopted emblem of Walker’s shortbread, Radley London and Monopoly, has registered its lowest numbers since data started.
The most popular breed of Queen Victoria, the terrier was initially bred to hunt foxes, badgers and different vermin within the Highlands.
But the Kennel Club has now placed the breed on its ‘at watch’ checklist after solely 406 puppy births had been logged by breeders in 2023.
It’s a staggering drop since its heyday within the mid-Nineteen Thirties by means of to the early Nineteen Forties the place the breed was the third hottest within the nation. In 1947 numbers peaked to greater than 5,800 puppies registered – ten instances the quantity in trendy instances.
Scottish Terrier. Credit: Olga Ovcharenko/Adobe Stock
‘The Scottish Terrier has been such an iconic and recognisable breed in the UK for decades, and means so much to so many different people, so these latest figures are really worrying,’ stated Bill Lambert from The Kennel Club.
‘We are fortunate to have a tremendous 222 breeds of canine on this nation, every with distinctive personalities and traits, however the overwhelming majority of dogs that you’ll meet come from throughout the high ten breeds alone.
‘People often opt for the well-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 might not be getting the perfect match for them.’
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