7 Dog Breeds at Risk of Extinction in 2021

The Old English Sheepdog is among seven dog breeds now at risk of extinction, with registration numbers of the famous breed falling to the lowest in 60 years.

One of Britain’s most recognizable breeds, the iconic “Dulux” dog has been classed as vulnerable for the first time ever by The Kennel Club, receiving just 227 puppy registrations in 2020. Despite puppy numbers booming last year, this is the lowest recorded number of annual puppy registrations for the breed since 1961.

“The Old English Sheepdog is such an historic and iconic breed, but they are rarely seen out and about over recent years, so the fact that they are now officially a vulnerable breed is very worrying,” Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, said.

“It’s likely the numbers have dwindled over the years due to a result of lifestyle changes, as they require a lot of grooming and exercise and aren’t suitable for smaller living spaces. However it is a breed that is faithful and trustworthy with an even provision that can make lovable family pets for the right owners.”

Elsewhere in their research, the dog welfare charity found that native breeds also reached record lows in 2020, including the otterhound, skyeterrier, Bloodhound and English Setter. Sadly, both the norfolk-terrier and cairn terrierhave been added to the ‘At Watch’ list for the first time.

slowmotiongliGetty Images

In some good news, the breeds on their way up include the Whippet, Cocker Spaniel, Bull Terrier, Weimaraner, German Wirehaired Pointer and the German Shorthaired Pointer, which entered the top 20 overall breeds. According to the charity, it’s thought these larger breeds rose in popularity due to more Brits swapping city life for country living.

“The nation has gone through a huge collective lifestyle change in the past year, and of course many have either become first-time dog owners or are currently looking to buy one soon,” Bill adds.

Sir Francis Canker PhotographyGetty Images

“With some people now deciding to move out of our cities towards more rural areas, there is hope for some of our larger and more vulnerable breeds yet. We have such a rich diversity of breeds in the United Kingdom, all with their own unique characteristics , so we really do urge the British public to find out more about the lesser-known breeds, especially those who are at risk of disappearing, in order to get a dog that is truly right for them.”

Planning to adopt a dog of your own? Take a look at some of our in-depth guides to help you find the right one for you:

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP

Love what you’re reading? Enjoy Country Living magazine delivered straight to your door every month with Free UK delivery. Subscribe now to save on the shop price + get instant digital access to the latest issue!

SUBSCRIBE

12 easy-to-clean waterproof dog beds



Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed Gray

The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is the ultimate in hard-wearing dog luxury, featuring a premium heavy duty waterproof polyester outer, while the removable (and reversible) inner cushion features waterproof polyester on one side and a soft sherpa on the other, making this the perfectly practical cozy spot for you dog to rest after an outdoor adventure. The Earthbound Classic Waterproof Dog Bed is machine washable at 30 degrees, for easy removal of muddy paw prints and odours.



Amazon waterproof dog bed

Designed for comfort, Bedsure beds are filled with premium microfiber in separate chambers and ultra soft reversible design. This pet bedding creates the ultimate place for your pet to rest and relax. The beds have a durable scratch-resistant surface and designed to resist water like dog sweat or urine.



Danish Design – Blue Maritime Box Duvet

This Danish Design Maritime Blue Box Duvet bed features combinations of linen look stripes and denim look textures in three relaxed colour-ways, all highlighted by a special nautical edition of the Danish Design embroidered paw.



Ellie-Bo Waterproof Dog Beds in Green – Tailor made to fit cages and crates (34″ – Fits 36″ Large Dog Cage)

This Ellie-Bo Waterproof Dog Bed features a removable and machine washable waterproof outer cover made from Oxford weave. It also has a waterproof and breathable inner cover.



Dog Bed Mattress Cushion Waterproof Double Sided Puppy Pet Pillow Mat Washable (Medium, Red)

This popular paw print pet mattress has a double sided waterproof pet cushion with carry handle and paw print motif. Both sides are waterproof but only one side has the printed motif. It has a zip fastening with removable cushion.



AllPetSolutions Dexter Beds Soft Waterproof Washable Hardwearing Basket Dog Bed (M, Grey)

The waterproof hard wearing Oxford fabric is easy to clean, highly durable and is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The bed cover zips off, making it easy to remove for cleaning. The cover is 100% machine washable. Non-slip backing, ideal for use on polished floors and tiles.



Orvis ComfortFill-Eco™ Bolster Dog Bed

This Orvis bed has a soft quilted sleep surface, and a streamlined bolster make it comfortable for your dog. The ComfortFill-Eco cushion is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and doesn’t flatten or clump.

The three-sided bolster provides security and support for dogs who prefer a place to lean or rest their head, whilst the one open side makes this bed easy for dogs of all ages to get on and off. The upholstery-grade cover is as durable as it is incredibly soft. 100% polyester. Washable. Personalize with embroidery, up to 15 letters.



YELLOW Dog bed with removable cover / bright dog nest MUSTARD / XS – Xxl size mat for dog, Gift for dog owners

This best-selling yellow dog bed comes with a machine washable removable cover. It’s made of high-quality furniture fabrics, which allows your pet to feel very comfortable inside. Elastic pillows provide pets safety and comfort.



Waterproof Large Pet Mattress

This waterproof pet mattress helps your dog relax and sleep comfortably by keeping them supported, warm and dry. The laminated fabric of the bed helps to repel water and although the bed is strong and durable, it is still comfortable for them to sleep or rest on. The removable cover and removable internal pad are both machine washable for when you need to clean it.



Petface Waterproof Mattress

This Petface water resistant mattress is designed to help keep your dog’s bed clean. It comes with a removable berber fleece top cover which you can easily take off and reattach with the poppers. The removable cover is machine washable and the wipe clean base makes cleaning super easy. The non slip backing helps to keep the bed still as your dog gets on and off.



P&L Country Dog Tough Heavy Duty Rectangular High Sided Waterproof Dog Beds in 3 Sizes Medium, Large & XL/Jumbo

The ideal dog bed for country dogs who get wet and dirty on a regular basis. The tough, heavy duty, hard-wearing, 100% polyester, waterproof material is easy to keep clean. The thick base cushion is removable and the high walls of this bed are filled with bonded thermal polyester fiber to insulate your pet from the cold floor and keep it out of drafts.



Joules – Bee Print Box Dog Bed

This dog bed is thickly padded on all sides to provide warmth and extra comfort with reversible cushions. It’s also machine washable and has a non-slip base.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.SIGN UP

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io