These Endangered Pooches Could Be Living On Borrowed Time

  Sadly, with certain dog breeds like pugs becoming increasingly trendy in recent years, many classic dog breeds are now in danger of extinction. This is a list of 20 breeds that are in danger of being wiped out in certain countries and, in some cases, altogether. You might think that you’re unlikely to see many breeds of pooches you’ve grown to love on this list, but I can assure you that you will… [post_page_title]Pembroke Welsh Corgi[/post_page_title] I've always wanted to own one of these dogs. With their adorably plump bodies, big ears and gorgeous coat, they really are the perfect pint-sized pooch. In fact, they're the breed of choice for Queen Elizabeth II who's owned more than 30... [caption id="attachment_3294" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Despite having been classed as a royal dog breed for years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is in danger of extinction. In the United Kingdom, only 274 of these dogs were born in 2014, which is pretty surprising given how much the British love their monarchy! [post_page_title]Cardigan Welsh Corgi[/post_page_title] With any luck, the Royal Family, if no one else, will single-handedly keep the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in existence. However, it's extremely likely that this other breed of Corgi won't be around for much longer. Only 58 of them were born in a given year in the United Kingdom... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B22U5-5JjKI/ [/MediaContent] These gorgeous dogs are the Corgi equivalent of a sheepdog. Generally speaking, corgis need a lot of exercises so this could be one of the reasons that the breed's in trouble. But it's also down to other small dog breeds like Pugs and French Bull Dogs becoming more popular. [post_page_title]Irish Red Setter[/post_page_title] If you thought things weren't looking good for corgis, then you'll be shocked at the numbers of this particular breed. The only reason it's still around is because there are a small number of breeders and fans of the dog who're determined to keep it alive... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3H7BvOlxbo/ [/MediaContent] Aren't Irish Red Setters just gorgeous?! They've been around for almost 500 years, but it's a pretty safe bet that they won't be around for another 100. Just 82 of them were born in the United Kingdom in 2013. Sadly, it could be their size which has contributed to numbers falling. People are living increasingly busy lives and simply don't have the time to walk larger breeds that need a lot of exercise. [post_page_title]Kerry Blue Terrier[/post_page_title] Dogs that aren't deemed fashionable simply haven't got a chance these days. However, I think that anyone who owned a log this unusual looking would definitely get their Instagram likes into double figures for its beard alone... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/BzicZRLngcW/ [/MediaContent] Even though the incredible appearance of the Kerry Blue Terrier led a member of this breed to victory at Crufts in 2000, they're not a common or popular dog. To make matters worse, they're less useful than they used to be. Its original purpose was to keep vermin at bay when it was first bred in Kerry, Ireland, but with better housing, this simply isn't necessary anymore. [post_page_title]Cavalier King Charles Spaniel[/post_page_title] Okay, so you might never have seen or heard of a Kerry Blue Terrier before, but I can guarantee you that you'll have met one of these beautiful dogs at least once in your life. Shockingly, this dog's in trouble and not for the reason you might think... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B26THsth-Us/ [/MediaContent] Whilst Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are extremely desirable in terms of looks, many people have decided against the breed because of the health problems that come with it. Pedigree dogs are at risk of a number of health problems including syringomyelia - a condition which is caused by the dog's brain being too big to properly fit inside its skull. [post_page_title]Sky Terrier[/post_page_title] I'm a massive fan of Westies and Scotty Dogs, so this is a breed that I'd absolutely love to own at some point in the future. Terriers originating in Scotland have amazing personalities, and they love nothing more than going for long walks. However... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B2tiUOXDr6N/ [/MediaContent] Just 20 of these beautiful dogs were born in the United Kingdom in 2013. As is the case with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, this breed's also plagued with health problems, which, once again, has put people off owning them. They've been around for more than 400 years, but unless people suddenly decide that they're fashionable dogs to have around, the end is nigh for the Sky Terrier. [post_page_title]Bloodhound[/post_page_title] When you think of police dogs, there's one breed that immediately springs to mind, and this is it. However, despite the usefulness of these dogs, their numbers are seriously low. This is definitely a breed worth saving... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B11J-C1pjdk/ [/MediaContent] It might have been the police dog of choice for years, but Bloodhounds need people to keep them as domestic pets if they want to survive. Just 51 Bloodhound puppies were born in the United Kingdom in 2013, but thankfully numbers have risen since then. [post_page_title]Norwich Terrier[/post_page_title] You're probably wondering how many puppies need to be born every year for a breed to be classed as having long-term potential and that's 300. Despite being the perfect size for modern-day life, only 200 of these dogs were born in the United Kingdom in recent years... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3HmWj7jF4B/ [/MediaContent] Speaking of the endangerment of Norwich Terriers, which originally hunted vermin, a member of the British and Irish Dog Breeds Preservation Trust Julien Barney said, "A lot of these rare dogs are working dogs and used to have a purpose. We have changed, but they haven't." [post_page_title]Scottish Deerhound[/post_page_title] Dogs, like us humans, come in all different shapes and sizes. This is one of the largest dog breeds on the planet, and there's no doubt in my mind that its large size has contributed to it ending up endangered... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KzFNlFEwa/ [/MediaContent] They need a lot of exercise to stay fit and healthy and a particularly large bed. Another factor that's contributed to their numbers dwindling is that they suffer from poor health and don't live as long as many other dog breeds. However, they're known for having amazing personalities and being great with kids so it's a real shame! [post_page_title]Irish Wolfhound[/post_page_title] Big dogs just aren't as popular as they used to be. Almost all hounds were originally bred to hunt other animals, and, because this is something that we don't do anymore, natural selection has begun its course. [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B22B5HqB1sb/ [/MediaContent] For pretty much the same reasons as the Scottish Deerhound, the Irish Wolfhound's future is looking bleak. It was almost wiped out completely, but its numbers recovered slightly thanks to patriotic Irish people who wanted to preserve this breed which is native to Emerald Isle. [post_page_title]Smooth Fox Terrier[/post_page_title] Throughout canine history, there have been a few stand-out breeds that have become the ancestors of other popular breeds, and this is one of them. It's the ancestor of countless terriers, but sadly it looks like it could eventually die out... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3LeGeIpM1S/ [/MediaContent] Due to their small size and agility, terriers have always been popular dogs for keeping vermin at bay. Unlike a lot of other breeds on this list, Smooth Fox Terriers are known for being healthy animals, but only 120 of them are born every year in the United Kingdom. [post_page_title]Manchester Terrier[/post_page_title] Now, this dog breed really is one that I'd struggle to resist. These dogs were once incredibly popular, but sadly, their purpose has been rendered obsolete, and they're simply not seen as a fashionable breed. [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B1swJoBlKaL/ [/MediaContent] If you needed a dog that could catch rats, this really was the best breed available. Thankfully, we live in a world where vermin aren't as big a problem as they used to be in the nineteenth century, which was when this breed was first created with that purpose in mind. [post_page_title]Miniature Bull Terrier[/post_page_title] There are some dog breeds that are a lot stronger than others, but, despite its fearsome appearance, the breed's small size makes this dog look truly adorable in my opinion. [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IE5I-o1PN/ [/MediaContent] Since bulldogs were originally bred to fight, they need a firm hand and a lot of training to make good companion animals. That's probably one of the reasons why just 162 Miniature Bull Terrier puppies were born in the United Kingdom in 2013. [post_page_title]Gordon Setter[/post_page_title] This dog breed wasn't in trouble until recently, so we can live in the hope that its numbers will quickly recover to the point where it's no longer in trouble. After all, these dogs have a reputation for being loyal and intelligent... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3MFSmXiaCQ/ [/MediaContent] Originally bred as a game hunting dog, Gordon Setters aren't just beautiful, but they make great companion animals too. Once again, however, ill health has plagued the breed and that coupled with a lack of purpose in the modern world has no doubt affected their numbers. [post_page_title]Dandie Dinmont Terrier[/post_page_title] This dog doesn't just look unique but can thank Scottish novelist Walter Scott for its name, which is a reference to a character in his 1815 novel Guy Mannering. These beautiful dogs are the only breed in the world named after a literary character... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqWXAmjx2k/ [/MediaContent] I don't know about you, but I don't think I could resist one of these dogs. Pugs might have googly eyes, but I'd rather my pooch at a Dandie Dinmont hairdo. These dogs are now incredibly rare, but much-loved by those who do own them, and only 105 were born in the UK in 2013. [post_page_title]Irish Water Spaniel[/post_page_title] This has to be the only dog breed in the world with a coat that makes it look like an '80s rockstar. It might be endangered, but it's thought to be one of the most easily recognizable breeds in the world in terms of appearance... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxz-y4nFZLE/ [/MediaContent] That fur coat isn't just beautiful, it's hypoallergenic too, which means that people who're allergic to dogs can have Irish Water Spaniels as pets! However, it seems like people prefer pugs to rockstar dogs, as only 100 of these amazing dogs are born it the United Kingdom every year. [post_page_title]Neopolitan Mastiff[/post_page_title] The majority of the dogs on this list might be small, however, there are a few giant dogs that could soon become a thing of the past. It's amazing that this beautiful dog still exists, and it very nearly became extinct in the middle of the nineteenth century... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Lo_yjHQ-r/ [/MediaContent] They might be one of the biggest dogs in the world, but sadly, the size of Neopolitan Mastiffs has not helped these dogs survive. There was even a Neopolitan Mastiff in the Harry Potter movies, Fang, but that didn't help numbers either. Maybe these powerful dogs are simply too big for people to consider keeping them as pets. [post_page_title]Otterhound[/post_page_title] Whilst this article has predominantly focused on breed statistics from the United Kingdom because they're more reliable than those elsewhere in the world, there are just 600 of this nineteenth-century pooch left in the world... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B21eFWwHymC/ [/MediaContent] Once a hunting dog, the Otterhound is now endangered and its lack of purpose is the main reason why. As its name suggests, these gorgeous dogs were bred to hunt otters, a sport that's now illegal in many parts of the world, and, as a result, they're slowly dying out. This breed, however, has never been a particularly popular one as otter hunting was a niche pursuit. Only 41 Otterhounds were born in 2016. [post_page_title]Sealyham Terrier[/post_page_title] Now, this dog really baffles me. It looks like a teddy bear so I've no idea why it's not popular. It was at one point, with the British Royal Family and many movie stars making it their pet of choice, but sadly that's no longer the case... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3HCFirBhEE/ [/MediaContent] Once the pet of Hollywood royalty like Humphrey Bogart and Elizabeth Taylor, this dog's current situation foreshadows what could happen to many of the breeds that are popular today. To put this in context: over 2,000 were born in the United Kingdom every year in the 1920s, but in 2013 just 68 were born. [post_page_title]Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier[/post_page_title] There are less than 200 of these beautiful dogs in the United Kingdom, even though they're known to make great pets. This dog wasn't bred for one specific purpose, but it's been used for a lot of things over the years including hunting vermin and being a companion animal... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B29zDgshRZk/ [/MediaContent] Since there are so few of these dogs left, they're closely bred which means that they suffer from health problems including canine hip dysplasia - which has done nothing to help population numbers. These dogs, however, have consistently been praised for their loving natures. [post_page_title]Bearded Collie[/post_page_title] This pooch has been in trouble for a while and very nearly became extinct during World War Two. While its numbers have improved marginally since then, the breed still has a potentially limited lifespan. [caption id="attachment_3296" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images [/caption] Originating in the Scottish Highlands and Northern England, this breed like so many dogs was bred with a purpose: herding. As a result, it's a dog that thrives in the countryside, which could explain why it's never experienced the popularity enjoyed by other types of dog. [post_page_title]English Setter[/post_page_title] Over the years, larger dogs have gone out of fashion. Pooches are mostly pets and as a result, people prefer pocket-sized dogs these days, which is why the English Setter is in trouble. [caption id="attachment_3297" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] This is a crying shame because it's a breed that's been around for over 400 years. To put the scale of the breed's troubles into context, only 234 English setter puppies were registered with the Kennel Club in 2012. [post_page_title]Glen of Imaal Terrier[/post_page_title] Another breed that has come close to extinction but thankfully still exists, just, is the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Originating in Ireland, it's possible that the breed was developed during the reign of Elizabeth I... [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3EXTOKhQ22/ [/MediaContent] These pooches are famously undemanding dogs, who make great guards, and given how important these qualities are for many dog owners, hopefully, they will still be around for years to come. [post_page_title]Lakeland Terrier[/post_page_title] This gorgeous pooch might be endangered but back in 2009, its success at Crufts let to a dramatic increase in its popularity. [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IgidDgPul/ [/MediaContent] While it's still a breed that's in trouble, because its endearing character shone through at Crufts, it's likely to be around a little longer. Unsurprisingly, it once had a very different purpose as a farmer's hunting dog. [post_page_title]Lancashire Heeler[/post_page_title] Bred to be a drover and herder of cattle, the Lancashire Heeler was allegedly created from the Welsh Corgi and Manchester Terrier. [MediaContent] https://www.instagram.com/p/B0a7nEblrro/ [/MediaContent] A lot of factors influence the popularity of a breed and its chances for longterm survival. The undoing of the Lancashire Heeler could be the result of it needing a lot of walking and having a tendency to be a nippy dog.