9 dog breeds that may disappear soon

There are several once-popular breeds of dog that are in real danger of disappearing in the near future.

When people domesticated the wolves, their intention was that the dogs so created should both working animals and loyal companions. Today, however, priorities have changed and they are treated more like family members, and as a result many dog breeds may disappear.

Many famous dog breeds could disappear

Over the years, many dog breeds have died out due to factors such as disease and low demand. The following nine breeds are also at real risk of even disappearing in our lifetime. At least, that is what the British Kennel Club’s figures suggest (although it is important to note that the data for world breeds may be biased and not necessarily accurate, and the aggregation does not take into account the genetic problems that may affect individual breeds).

1. English Foxhound

From English Foxhound George Washington’s favourite breed of dog, famous for working excellent in a pack and being gentle and obedient. But by the last two years, they had dwindled to the point where the British Kennel Club had only one, and the American Kennel Club ranked it as the second least popular breed in 2023.

2. Irish Red and White Setter

For most people, hearing the collective word “setter”, the Irish Setters would come to mind and not their red and white cousins who are slightly shorter and stockier than them. This may also contribute to the fact that, although extremely friendly and happy in nature, the breed is now severely depleted. The British Kennel Club registered only 50 of these dogs in the UK last year.

3. Bloodhound

The Bloodhound was once one of Britain’s most popular hunting dogs. With their droopy ears and detective-like features, the dog has an incredible sense of smell, yet they are now under serious threat. According to 2021 figures, Britain and Ireland have the lowest numbers of the endangered breeds recorded. By last year, there were only 54 of them left.

4. Scottish Deerhound

The elegant-looking Scottish Deerhound has a reputation as an excellent hunter. Their distinction is shown by the fact that in the Middle Ages, they could not be owned by anyone lower than an earl. But for this very reason,

they almost died out after the fall of the Scottish nobility in the 1700s.

This did not happen, but it is still considered a vulnerable breed: in 2023, only 132 Scottish stags were registered.

5. Mudi

The Mudi is a Hungarian breed that evolved naturally from the herding dogs. The breed, known for their loyalty and intelligence, was officially registered in the 1930s and after that, it declined as quickly as it appeared. By the end of the Second World War they were on the brink of extinction.

By some estimates, there are now only a few thousand Mudi left in the world.

Thankfully, the breed is increasingly popular recent years because they excel in dog sports such as agility and dog dancing, so we can be confident that they will not disappear even if they have fewer opportunities to practise their original craft.

6. Sussex Spaniel

Bred in Sussex, England, in the early 1800s Sussex Spaniel became popular for their loyalty, poise and superior hunting skills, and although they have a reputation as a family-friendly breed, they are now a rarity. In 2023, the Kennel Club had only 27 of them.

7. English setter

The strong-willed English Setter has been around for 400 years, but their popularity has declined significantly. In 2011, the Kennel Club registered only 234 dogs of this breed, and classified them as a vulnerable breed. The main reason for their decline is thought to be a shift in demand towards more exotic breeds.

8. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a natural hound dog, which in some cases, as their name suggests, has been able to hunt wolves. The first records of the breed date back to Roman times.

In 391 BC they were a common gift among the nobility.

It came close to extinction in the 1800s, so breeders began crossing their remaining members with Scottish Deerhound, Great Danes and Tibetan wolves. The modern Irish Wolfhound is the result of this effort, however, the breed remains vulnerable, with fewer than 200 registered with the Kennel Club by 2023.

9. Glen of Imaal Terrier

A The Glen of Imaal Terrier has roots dating back to the 16th century. The breed has always had a low population, but declined further during the Second World War. Today they are exceptionally rare. According to the Kennel Club, they had a population of only 58 dogs left in 2023.