Old English sheepdog heading for extinction, so sad..

[Cheeryblossom1]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9480737/amp/Old-English-sheepdog-breed-danger-dying-Britain-canine-experts-warn.html

[Cheeryblossom1]

I've always loved Old English Sheepdogs, so sad... Would love one but our garden is too small. I couldn't imagine the brushing involved though... My little Cavachon takes 45 minutes daily & is about a fifth of the size of an Old English...

[HerMammy]

I’m on two OES FB groups, seems to be a fair amount going about. Better not to be overbred, 200+ per year is a reasonable amount.

[Cheeryblossom1]

That's great to hear @hermammy, there is one on our road who is absolutely gorgeous but bonkers... I presume it's because he only gets half an hour walk in the evenings & the gardens in this area tend to be v small...

[tabulahrasa]

@Cheeryblossom1

I've always loved Old English Sheepdogs, so sad... Would love one but our garden is too small. I couldn't imagine the brushing involved though... My little Cavachon takes 45 minutes daily & is about a fifth of the size of an Old English...

To be fair... they probably take less grooming, it’s different fur

I mean, more than I’m willing to do, I’m a anything more than a few minutes is too much person, lol.

[Darklane]

I’ve owned four of them in the past. Have a smaller but even rarer breed these days that really is in danger of being lost in the UK despite being a native breed. 200 a year sounds a lot compared to my breed.
A place we regularly visit in Scotland has a weekend where the whole village is inundated with OES on a meet up. Always plenty there.
The coat needs constant grooming, every day isn’t too much

[MrsBungle]

There’s two in my village and they’re absolutely beautiful. I just love them. I couldn’t cope with the hair though. I have a non shedding poodle!

[Cheeryblossom1]

I would love one if we ever move to the country & had the space. My little Cavachon is great pals with the one on our road.

[Ladymouse]

@Darklane

I’ve owned four of them in the past. Have a smaller but even rarer breed these days that really is in danger of being lost in the UK despite being a native breed. 200 a year sounds a lot compared to my breed.
A place we regularly visit in Scotland has a weekend where the whole village is inundated with OES on a meet up. Always plenty there.
The coat needs constant grooming, every day isn’t too much

Do you have a Sussex Spaniel? I have wanted one for years and year's and have been on the waiting list for a Sussex for years but haven't had the luck of owning one. Unfortunately it does look like I will as they are a breed near on extinction which is heartbreaking.

I also love the old English Sheepdogs my neighbour had one when I was little and he was a little crazy also.

[LionLily]

I would love a dandie dinmont. I remember visiting their stand at Discover Dogs some years ago and they were vulnerable even back then.

[wetotter]

Here's the full list of vulnerable and at-watch breeds

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

Only seven otterhound puppies were registered in 2020 and there are 15 breeds with fewer than 100 that year

[iVampire]

I have a vulnerable breed, and it is concerning that some breeds might be lost. The smaller, friendlier terriers are such lovely dogs; it’s a real shame

[MrsPnut]

Our friends mum breeds Irish Wolfhounds and hasn’t bred a litter for a year or so. She has won best of breed a few times at Crufts with her dogs.

[Moondust001]

It may feel sad to consider a dog breed of this sort may disappear - it all depends on your point of view, as many "breeds" are so inbred as to carry traits of many health problems. But I also think people need to be aware that the concept of "dog breed" is rather tainted too - the Old English only really appeared in the mid to late 1800's. so it is a little over 100 - 170 or so years old. A manufactured dog breed doesn't become extinct - not like elephants become extinct. There will always be dogs as long as there are humans, if not longer. Breeds are artificial and largely the result of human intervention, and often not for their own good. Dogs are in no danger of becoming extinct. Some breeds, on the other hand, probably should be permitted to lapse, given the damage we have done with our selective breeding of them.

[MovinOnUp]

I have a Clumber spaniel, Less than 200 born last year :(
I didn't realise the old English sheepdog was a rare breed.

[Stellaris22]

Didn't realise bloodhound was on there. I have a basset and would love a bloodhound as well, I met one a few years ago and they're beautiful dogs.

I'd also love a basset bleu de gascogne but there are very few breeders outside of France. Not native I know.

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

@wetotter

Here's the full list of vulnerable and at-watch breeds

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

Only seven otterhound puppies were registered in 2020 and there are 15 breeds with fewer than 100 that year

I’m staggered the King Charles spaniel is on that list. Presumably only reflects KC registered litters?

[LubaLuca]

This is strange. I saw one today and it made me think I hadn't seen one for years. I'd forgotten just how big they are!

[CombatBarbie]

I do think they are beautiful dogs, however one decided to take a chunk out of my then 6 month old Ridgeback resulting in 6 staples and aggression with other dogs. Not quite the description I'm reading here but just goes to show any dog can attack without warning.

[GreyhoundG1rl]

What a shame

[Cheeryblossom1]

@CombatBarbie

I do think they are beautiful dogs, however one decided to take a chunk out of my then 6 month old Ridgeback resulting in 6 staples and aggression with other dogs. Not quite the description I'm reading here but just goes to show any dog can attack without warning.

Oh my goodness, I would never have put old english as aggressive, just goes to show... So sorry that happened your poor puppy😢

[Stellaris22]

That is a shame. The one I met was being looked after by a friend of a breeder, very gentle and laid back. Met when mine was a puppy and no aggression.

[LeopardSheet]

@wetotter

Here's the full list of vulnerable and at-watch breeds

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

Only seven otterhound puppies were registered in 2020 and there are 15 breeds with fewer than 100 that year

Surprised corgi is on there

Bearded collie too-why are these not more popular they look a lot like some kind of poodle cross but surely more predictable characteristics and probably bred more ethically?

[EggSucker]

As an aside, and pease don't pile on me because I'm really not being goady. But is it not awfully cruel to keep a dog with fur that goes over its eyes like that? Do these breeds adapt to having limited vision? Are you supposed to cut them a fringe? I feel sad when I see dogs like this with their eyes completely covered up by their fur :( and I assume that they "need" to have long fur in their eyes to look the part.

[LeopardSheet]

@GingerAndTheBiscuits I think King Charles spaniel is a lot rarer than the cavalier King Charles which is a bit different and more common.