The native breeds are those of British and Irish origin are at risk of disappearing from our parks and streets, simply because people don’t know they exist or because they aren’t considered fashionable.
The Kennel Club, the UK's largest organisation devoted to dog health, says that some breeds have such low numbers that they are completely unrecognisable to the British public.
They are concerned that this means that breeds that might be the perfect fit for people’s lifestyles are being overlooked in favour of other breeds that might not be, simply because they are not as well known.
They said: “To give these dogs the chance they deserve, it is important that if you're thinking about getting a dog you consider the lesser known breeds.
"There are over 200 breeds of dog recognised in the UK so there is a breed for everyone. We find that people tend to choose a breed from the pool of breeds they have heard of before, which means that the perfect breed for them and their lifestyle might be overlooked.”
If you're thinking about getting a vulnerable breed, or any other breed, it's crucial that you go to a responsible breeder. Find out more about The Kennel Club Assured Breeders.
Here are just some of the breeds that are at risk of disappearing:
5. Mastiff
The Mastiff, once known as the Old English Mastiff, was used as a guard dog, a gamekeepers' dog, a hunter of wolves, and for bear and bull baiting. They were also used in the fighting pits until this activity was outlawed in 1835. In 2017 there were 166 registered, which dropped to just 100 in 2021. Photo: Getty
6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Wheaten was used for hunting badger and otter. The breed was recognised by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937 and in 1943 by The Kennel Club. In 2017 there were 369 registered, whereas in 2021 that dropped to 227. Photo: Getty
7. Spaniel (Sussex)
The golden-liver coated Sussex is the rarest of the land spaniels with a rich history. In 2017 there were 56 which dropped to 30 in 2021. Photo: Getty
8. Welsh Springer Spaniel
The red and white Welsh hunting dog was chronicled in Welsh literature in the Middles Ages and it is thought that these provided the ancestry for the Welsh Springer Spaniel. The breed comes only in this colour. In 2017 there were 362, which dropped to 271 in 2021. Photo: Getty