8/12/2023
Rare vulnerable native breeds
Did you know that there is a group of British dog breeds that are now getting so rare that they are at risk of disappearing from our homes and parks altogether? Many of these breeds are declining because they aren’t considered fashionable, or simply because people don’t know they exist. A few of these vulnerable native breeds are some of the oldest breeds in existence, and they deserve to be given the same consideration as the most popular dog breeds when choosing a puppy.
When choosing a dog breed, most people will either look at current fashions and the dogs owned by their favourite celebrities, or they will consider the breeds owned by family and friends. It’s quite surprising to think that the ten most in-demand dog breeds registered by The Royal Kennel Club account for 60% of the total annual registrations!
What is a vulnerable native breed?
Vulnerable native breeds are dog breeds of British and Irish origin with fewer than 300 puppy registrations a year.
The Royal Kennel Club monitors these breeds through its Vulnerable Native Breeds list, as well as an ‘at watch’ list for native breeds with between 300 and 450 registrations a year.
Which native dog breeds are vulnerable?
From historic hounds and gundogs to some of our lesser-known terriers, the current Vulnerable Native Breeds list includes:
- Bearded Collie
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bloodhound
- Bull Terrier (Miniature)
- Bullmastiff
- Collie (Smooth)
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Deerhound
- English Setter
- English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
- Foxhound*
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Gordon Setter
- Greyhound*
- Harrier
- Irish Red & White Setter
- Irish Wolfhound
- King Charles Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lakeland Terrier
- Lancashire Heeler
- Manchester Terrier
- Mastiff
- Norwich Terrier
- Old English Sheepdog
- Otterhound
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Retriever (Curly Coated)
- Sealyham Terrier
- Skye Terrier
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spaniel (Clumber)
- Spaniel (Field)
- Spaniel (Irish Water)
- Spaniel (Sussex)
- Spaniel (Welsh Springer)
- Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
- Welsh Terrier
*These breeds take part in The Royal Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Breed competitions because their registered numbers are low, but the breeds are known to be more numerous outside of The Royal Kennel Club due to either later recognition or registration on an alternative specialist register.
The list is based on annual Royal Kennel Club registrations and can change over time. You can find the latest registration figures and breeds currently ‘at watch’ on the Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable Native Breeds page.
Rare British and Irish breeds at Crufts
Crufts is a brilliant place to discover some of Britain and Ireland’s lesser-known native dog breeds.
There is a dedicated Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition held at Crufts each year, where qualifying dogs have the chance to compete.
You can also meet many different breeds at our Discover Dogs section, where you can see them up close and speak to knowledgeable owners and breed experts about their history, characteristics and what they are like to live with.
For breeds that aren't often seen out and about, it's a chance to put a face to a name - and perhaps discover a breed you didn't know existed!
Watch the Vulnerable Breed Competition on YouTube:
