Good news! The Old English Sheepdog, one of Britain's most recognisable breeds, is no longer at risk of extinction following an increase of 66% in puppy registrations last year.
The shaggy white breed, famously known as the 'Dulux dog', moved to the Vulnerable Native Breeds list in 2020 after falling below 300 annual puppy registrations, but has now seen a significant surge in registrations far exceeding the national average.
In further good news, a total of 22 vulnerable breeds saw a popularity boost over the last year, with an overall increase of 44% — higher than the national average of 39% per cent. While many Brits still choose 'popular' breeds, this research shows that more people are starting to look beyond well-known choices when choosing a dog to suit their lifestyle.
As well as the iconic Old English Sheepdog, other pups that are doing particularly well include the small Skye Terrier and English Setters — a breed which saw its popularity more than double in 2021.
"We are delighted to see that so many of our vulnerable native breeds saw a boost in popularity over the past year, indicating that many puppy buyers were resisting the urge to go for the most obvious and fashionable choices and instead using lockdown to properly research the full range of breeds and select the best fit for their lifestyle," Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, says.
"We have such a wide variety of pedigree breeds in this country, each with completely different characteristics, so it is encouraging to see so much diversity amongst those that are increasing in popularity, from the large English Setter to the small Skye Terrier, and of course the iconic Old English Sheepdog."
Planning to adopt a dog of your own? Take a look at some of our in-depth guides to help you find the right one for you:
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Why Corgis make the best family pets
- Schnauzer: 8 things you might not know about these versatile dogs
- Golden Retrievers: Why these positive pups are the perfect family breed
12 dog winter coats to keep your pups cosy
Keep your pup snug and secure with this thick quilted dog jacket from H&M. Perfect for a winter's walk, it has quilted seams, a stand-up collar with an open front, and a belt with a hook and loop fastening at the back.
Designed to resist whatever the weather throws at you, this waterproof dog coat is ideal for older pups with joint problems or less fur and has a particularly warm inner lining.
Keeping warm and snug just got a whole lot easier thanks to this gorgeous waxed coat from Joules. In olive green, it has a tweed lining and beautiful bee prints.
In a gorgeous white, this pocket-detail faux shearling dog jacket has been designed to add an extra layer of warmth during those cold winter days. It has two small holes for their legs, as well as a zipped pocket on the back.
This thermal dog coat is excellent for winter walks, thanks to its self-heating technology.
"Our reflective technology lining, combined with a hollow fibre core maximises the dog coats thermal properties," say petslovescruffs.com. "The thermal dog coat has a fleece collar and chest pad to provide greater comfort, improved fitment and allow unrestricted movement."
A warm pet coat is great to ward off the chill during winter. Not sure which one to pick up? We love this technical dog parka, which has been specially developed for short-haired dogs and dogs without an undercoat.
In olive green, this luxurious Barbour coat is ideal for dogs who like the finer things in life.
On the hunt for a warm knit jumper? To keep your furry friend extra cosy, why not pick up this Barbour jumper. Boasting a unique design with a roll neck for elite comfort, it's perfect for them to wear on a Christmas Day walk.
READ MORE: The Barbour Christmas advert 2021 stars Paddington Bear and his heart-warming family
Made from super-soft fleece fabric, this blue fluffy coat has teddy bear ears attached to keep your dog warm and cosy. It also has a stretch jersey fabric, making it easy to pull on and off.
William Morris fans will love this adorable reversible dog coat in the brand's classic print. With a water-resistant, waxed cotton outer fabric, it also helps to keep rain off.
OVER GLAM Medium faux leather sleeveless dog jacket
This sleeveless dog jacket looks so cosy! It has small holes for their legs and black poppers to keep them cosy.
In vibrant blue, this microfibre dog coat is light and absorbent to offer protection from getting cold. It has a click fastener on the back and openings for legs and tail.
