The beloved English dog is officially now at risk of extinction, according to The Kennel Club
The Old English Sheepdog could be at risk of extinction, the Kennel Club has warned, after just 98 puppy registrations for the dog were made in the first quarter of 2019.
Recognised for its unmistakable shaggy coat — and as the iconic face of Dulux paint — the dog had a 16% drop in the number of adoptions compared to last year, with them now being placed on the Kennel Club's 'at watch' list.
Popularity of the breed has seen a steady decline over the years, and 2018 saw the lowest number of registrations ever recorded with just 384 puppies registered. Sadly, registrations of the breed have decreased by 67% in the last 20 years.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said to The Mirror: "The Old English Sheepdog is one of our most iconic dog breeds but you rarely see one now in our streets and parks, so the historic lows we're currently seeing are particularly worrying."
If the numbers for the dogs don't spike, it could be added to the 'Vulnerable Native Breeds' (a list which sees just 300-450 annual registrations). As people choose other breeds, such as pugs, we could risk seeing the Old English Sheepdog from our local areas altogether.
Caroline explains that people should consider adopting the Old English Sheepdog, to try to save the breed: "It is a breed with a good temperament that can make a lovely family pet but it also needs a lot of grooming and exercise and so is not suitable for the fast-paced urban lifestyles of many people."
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