British Breeds In Crisis

The Kennel Club, (KC) says there is a crisis in British dog breeds with several traditional breeds under threat of dying out. Partly to blame, says the Club, is our fixation on celebrity culture which seems to dictate which breeds will be popular each year.

Recently releaesed breed registration figures for 2008 show the Bulldog as having kept its popularity with the British public with almost 4,000 puppy registrations last year. The Fox Terrier however, once a hugely popular breed, is now on the list of native vulnerable breeds. The Club says that a breed needs at least 300 puppy registrations each year in order to maintain its prosperity.

The KC notes the trend towards smaller Toy breeds such as the Chihuahua and the Pug, both of which have seen registrations rise by around 1,000 in the past year. It implies that this popularity is celebrity driven saying: "Celebrities seem to have a huge impact on which breeds are deemed popular each year," noting also that smaller breeds tend to fit better into today's busy urban lifestyle.

Another concern surrounding the increase in popularity of a breed is the price of puppies. A Chihuahua can now cost up to £2,000, when other pedigree puppies normally go for between £400 - £800.

Rescue pedigree and crossbreeds have also claimed the heart of the British public, says the KC, with their popularity growing as potential owners realise the advantages of taking on an adult dog which is already house-trained.