Successful year for British breeds
The Kennel Club (KC) has announced the progress it has seen during 2012 – the year of the Queen's diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics – as the number of registrations for British breeds increases.
English setters have successfully moved from the KC's "risk of extinction" list, following a 25 per cent increase in the number of registrations, from 234 to 314 during 2012.
Breeds with between 300 and 450 registrations a year, such as the English setter, sit on the KC's "at watch" list.
The Old English sheepdog has also seen a seven per cent rise in registrations over the past year, closely escaping the risk of extinction list that comprises breeds with 300 registrations a year or less. Instead, the Old English sheepdog is comfortably in the at watch bracket, with 429 registrations.
Furthermore, the soft-coated wheaten terrier, which originated in Ireland, has moved out of the at watch list for the first time, with 455 registrations in 2012.
Other native breeds that have increased in popularity over the past year include the English toy terrier (black and tan), the Sussex spaniel, and the Irish water spaniel, each of which remain in the risk of extinction category, however.
Fran Grimsdell, KC assured breeder of English setters, said: “The number of people enquiring about English setters, who would never have previously considered the breed, has increased in the last year.
"The existence of the Kennel Club’s vulnerable breeds list has really helped to highlight their plight, and people are starting to think more deeply about their choice of dog, rather than going for the obvious choice.
"English setters need company and cannot be left alone for long periods but they are marvellous with children and make such wonderful family pets.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
