With over 300 dog breeds on the planet, tracking them all is hard. With breeds like golden retrievers and German shepherds being the most popular, they dominate in numbers. However, lesser-known breeds are facing serious problems. Here are some of the endangered breeds everyone should be aware of.
1. Skye Terrier
The Skye terrier used to be synonymous with nobility. Many royals have had one by their side through the centuries, but the breed receded as we moved away from nobles. Thankfully, there are efforts to bring the breed back to its former glory.
2. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog whose heritage dates back to medieval times when it was used to jump into lakes and rivers to hunt ducks. It may be mistaken for a poodle mix today, but it is its breed. It is one of the oldest water retrievers and was once nearly extinct. Thankfully, in recent years, it has made a small comeback. Let’s hope its numbers steadily improve.
3. Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund’s numbers started to drop when its purpose—hunting puffing along the cliffs of Norway—was abandoned in favor of other fishing techniques. The breed is exceptionally unique, with its defining characteristics being six toes on each foot.
4. Mudi
The Mudi is a Hungarian sheepdog that few people know about. Only a few thousand of these majestic dogs still exist today. Like most other herding dogs, they are reliable, obedient, and clever. They are the perfect pet for active people who love affection during downtime.
5. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Corgis may be a popular breed today, but their cousin, the Cardigan Welsh corgi, isn’t in the same boat. They can be identified by their long tail and more angular features. They were invaluable to farmers until practices were changed and modernized. The Cardigan Welsh corgi is a vulnerable breed in the U.K.
6. Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish deerhound was a popular breed centuries ago in the Scottish Highlands. As the name implies, it was used to hunt deer. It can be mistaken for Irish wolfhounds and shares some physical features. Conservationists are working tirelessly to keep the breed from disappearing.
7. Otterhound
The otterhound is one of the most endangered dogs, with less than one thousand worldwide. It’s the U.K.’s rarest breed, and it once helped fisherman fight off otters that competed with their catches. Since otter hunting was banned at the beginning of the 21st century, the breed has declined.
8. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan mastiff is a breed with a lot of heritage. Originally living in the Himalayas, they protected livestock from predators and also guarded places like monasteries. As cultures changed, the breed’s population declined, but conservationists are trying to bring its numbers back up.
9. Smooth Fox Terrier
The smooth fox terrier is one of the progenitors of many other terrier breeds. Sadly, they are few and far between, and according to Britain’s Kennel Club, only 120 are registered every year.
10. Gordon Setter
The Gordon setter was originally used to hunt birds. There are two kinds of setters – English setters and Irish setters. The large breed was vulnerable a few years ago, but thankfully, it has seen a huge resurgence in popularity.
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22 vulnerable dog breeds that could disappear
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