Art, obsession, and identity
Dogs don't usually come to mind when we think of animals under the risk of extinction. Though dogs in general are by no means under threat, some dog breeds actually are. Every year, millions of dogs are born, but some breeds are becoming rarer and, if the numbers continue to fall, they may well go extinct.
In this gallery, we look at the most vulnerable dog breeds that could go extinct. Click on—you might even discover a breed that you really like!
Originally from the US state of New Hampshire, the Chinook used to be a sled dog. Today they are a lot scarcer, but are still great in search and rescue missions, as well as herding.
This cute Scottish breed got its name from a character named Dandie Dinmont of Sir Walter Scott's 1815 novel 'Guy Mannering.' Interestingly, the Dandie Dinmont is the only dog breed with permission to wear an official Scottish Clan Tartan. It was an honor awarded in 2015 by the chief of Clan Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch.
This native Irish breed used to hunt badgers. The Glen has been around since the 17th century, and was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934.
A number of breeders founded the Field Spaniel Society in 1923, which helped to preserve the dog breed. These are active, energetic dogs that love the countryside.
The name Kerry Blue Terrier can be traced back to 1916, when the breed was presented at a dog show in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.
The Curly Coated Retriever is the oldest and tallest of all the retriever breeds. It's known for its distinctive curly coat that works great to protect this dog from water.
This Scottish shaggy-coated cattle herder nearly went extinct in the 1940s. Luckily, there are quite a few around still, and, hopefully, their popularity will rise again.
This breed suffered a major drop following the ban of otter hunting in 1978 in the UK. Luckily, it managed to survive. Otterhounds are known for their weather-resistant coat and webbed feet.
This breed gets its name from the Clumber Park in Nottingham, England. King George V (1865–1936) was a fan of Clumber Spaniels and had a number of them.
The Cardigan is believed to be the oldest of the two types of Corgi, the other being the Pembroke. The name originates from the Celtic cor (meaning "dwarf") and gi (which means "dog"). Queen Elizabeth II was known to love her Corgis.
This breed was brought from the Middle East to Ireland by Phoenician sailors. They went nearly extinct following the Great Famine in the 1840s, but the tall hound managed to survive.
Unlike most dog breeds on this list, the Manchester Terrier was developed in the city. Their job was mainly to control rat populations in towns and mills, but they also did well when it came to hunting rabbits. The breed nearly went extinct in the UK in 1945, when there were only 11 registered pedigree dogs.
This Scottish dog breed has been around for at least 500 years. Elegant and gentle, the Deerhound became popular in Victorian times, and while vulnerable today, there are still many people who love them.
German Pinschers are one of the oldest dog breeds hailing from Germany. They're great guard dogs, but they are also loyal family pets. They are sometimes mistaken for Dobermans, but are considerably smaller.
The breed's coated relative, the Rough Collie, might be more famous, but the Smooth Collie has been around for many years, too. They are friendly and active pooches.
This breed has been around at least since the 13th century. Originally used in deer and wild boar hunting, it was their ability to trace humans that made them so famous.
These active dogs are pretty rare. For several periods, the Sussex Spaniel was on the brink of extinction, but managed to survive. In 2022, there were only 44 dogs registered in the UK's Kennel Club.
The Skye Terrier is one of the original terriers of the Hebrides archipelago in Scotland. Formerly used in fox and badger hunting, the breed gained popularity after Queen Victoria acquired one in 1842.
This Welsh hunting dog breed has been around since medieval times. They are known for their beautiful red and white coats.
The ancestry of the Irish Water Spaniel can be traced back to the French Barbet, the English Water Spaniel, and the Poodle. While these are "spaniels," they work best as "retrievers," especially in the water.
Known for its unique coat color and texture, the breed was once used for hunting otters and badgers. Today, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a vulnerable dog breed.
This Welsh dog breed was known to work alongside Otterhounds and go after otters, badgers, foxes, and polecats.
This clever cattle dog is great at herding, but also has excellent terrier instincts. The Lancashire Heeler is believed to be a cross between the Welsh Corgi and the Manchester Terrier.
Adapted to the valleys and steep ridges of the UK's Lake District, the Lakeland Terrier is known for being agile and having great stamina.
This Royal Spaniel was not recognized as its own breed until 1945. Before then, it would fall under the umbrella of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, despite the differences—namely the muzzle, head shape, and stature.
This was the original Irish Setter used by falconers. The breed saw a sharp decline in the first decades of the 20th century, but managed to survive to this day. It is, however, still considered vulnerable.
Somewhere between a Foxhound and a Beagle, the Harrier is a smart, playful, and affectionate dog. They used to hunt hare as far back as the 13th century.
This dog breed was named after the Duke of Gordon in Scotland in 1820. The black and tan setter is yet another vulnerable dog breed.
This breed, also known as the Toy Manchester Terrier, or the miniature Black & Tan, has its roots in the rat-hunter Manchester Terrier.
Known for hunting birds in the past, this medium-size breed is also under threat. The English Setter is gentle, friendly, and protective of its owners.
As the name indicates, these are smaller Bull Terriers. This variety was officially recognized in 1943, but they are not as popular as the larger version of the breed.
Sources: (The Kennel Club) (Pet Keen)
See also: The cutest dog breeds, ranked
Rare dog breeds facing extinction
Some breeds are getting harder to find
LIFESTYLE Animals
Dogs don't usually come to mind when we think of animals under the risk of extinction. Though dogs in general are by no means under threat, some dog breeds actually are. Every year, millions of dogs are born, but some breeds are becoming rarer and, if the numbers continue to fall, they may well go extinct.
In this gallery, we look at the most vulnerable dog breeds that could go extinct. Click on—you might even discover a breed that you really like!