Brush with doom for dwindling Dulux dog: Old English sheepdog as seen in TV adverts is in danger of dying out in Britain, canine experts warn
- Extensive grooming the long-haired breed requires may be responsible for its steep fall in popularity, say experts
- Last year just 227 Old English sheepdog puppies were registered at Kennel Club
- This is lowest recorded annual number since 1961 – year of Dulux dog’s debut
It has long been one of the nation’s best-loved breeds, featuring in TV campaigns and even a Beatles song.
But the Old English sheepdog – as seen in Dulux adverts – is in danger of dying out in Britain, according to the Kennel Club.
The extensive grooming the long-haired breed requires may be responsible for its steep fall in popularity, experts say.
Last year just 227 Old English sheepdog puppies were registered with the club. This is the lowest recorded annual number since 1961, the year of the Dulux dog’s debut.
The Old English sheepdog – as seen in Dulux adverts – is in danger of dying out in Britain, according to the Kennel Club. The extensive grooming the long-haired breed requires may be responsible for its steep fall in popularity, experts say
Famous owners include Sir Paul McCartney (above, in 1967), whose song Martha My Dear on the Beatles’ 1968 White Album was written about his female sheepdog
It was a different story in 1979 when it was the ninth most popular breed in the UK, with nearly 6,000 registrations.
Famous owners include Sir Paul McCartney, whose song Martha My Dear on the Beatles’ 1968 White Album was written about his female sheepdog.
The breed has been on the Kennel Club’s ‘at watch’ list, which monitors breeds with 300-450 puppy registrations a year, since 2009.
The club said this is the first time it has entered the organisation’s ‘vulnerable native breeds’ list of British and Irish native breeds which have fallen below 300 annual puppy registrations and could be at risk of disappearing.
Kennel Club spokesman Bill Lambert said: ‘The Old English sheepdog is such a historic and iconic breed, but they are rarely seen out and about over recent years, so the fact that they are now officially a vulnerable breed is very worrying.
‘It’s likely the numbers have dwindled over the years due to a result of lifestyle changes, as they require a lot of grooming and exercise and aren’t suitable for smaller living spaces.
‘However it is a breed that is faithful and trustworthy with an even disposition that can make lovable family pets for the right owners.’
Mr Lambert added: ‘With some people deciding to move out of our cities towards more rural areas, there is hope for some of our larger and more vulnerable breeds yet.
‘We have such a rich diversity of breeds in the United Kingdom, all with their own unique characteristics, so we really do urge the British public to find out more about the lesser-known breeds, especially those who are at risk of disappearing, in order to get a dog that is truly right for them.’
The breed has been on the Kennel Club’s ‘at watch’ list, which monitors breeds with 300-450 puppy registrations a year, since 2009. (Above, TV presenter Shauna Lowry with Jonny an Old English sheepdog from Wiltshire in 2005)