Isn't technology wonderful? (when it's working anyway) Through Twitter I met Paul Keevil, who with Hilary Cheyne, has started the Heritage Dog Breeds website. There is concern at the Kennel Club amongst other places that certain breeds are dwindling numerically.Many of these breeds are long established British breeds, which people are forgetting about with the lure of newly imported foreign breeds. For example, here are some statistics Paul sent me regarding puppies registered with the Kennel Club in 2008:
STATISTICS:
Shown below are the number of puppies born and registered at The Kennel Club during 2008 for British Heritage Breeds (and Irish Breeds)
(Note: The Kennel Club states that to ensure the long term viability of a breed at least 300 puppies need to be born each year)
Skye Terrier - 27
Otterhound - 38
Sealyham Terrier - 43
Smooth Collie - 43
Sussex Spaniel - 56
Field Spaniel - 75
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) - 81
Glen of Imaal Terrier - 89
Irish Water Spaniel - 101
Bloodhound - 114
English Toy Terrier - 117
Dandie Dinmont Terrier - 119
Curly Coated Retriever - 128
Manchester Terrier - 135
Irish Red & White Setter - 142
Norwich Terrier - 152
Lancashire Heeler - 158
Smooth Fox Terrier - 178
King Charles Spaniel - 187
Clumber Spaniel - 198
Kerry Blue Terrier 198
Bull Terrier (Miniature) 225
Mastiff - 299
Lakeland Terrier 303
Deerhound - 309
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - 352
Welsh Terrier - 360
Irish Terrier 369
By comparison:
2008 Top 10 Most Popular Breeds
(Kennel Club Registration Totals)
1. Retriever (Labrador) 45,233
2. Spaniel (Cocker) 22,508
3. Spaniel (English Springer) 14,899
4. German Shepherd Dog 11,903
5. Cavalier King Charles Sp 11,226
6. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 10,744
7. Retriever (Golden) 9,159
8. Border Terrier 9,145
9. Boxer 7,353
10. West Highland White Terrier 7,330
Clearly something needs to be done to bring these forgotten breeds back to the notice of the public, and that's where the new website comes in:
NEWBritish Heritage Dog Breeds website goes live!
It is often said that Britain is a nation of dog lovers and for centuries the British and their dogs have been inseparable. Life here in the UK without our beloved dogs would be unthinkable. But did you know that the future of a significant number of British (and Irish) breeds is under threat? Breeds which have been here for a thousand years like the Otterhound, breeds immortalised in literature like the Skye and the Dandie Dinmont Terriers and breeds which have been owned by the rich, the royal and the famous, like the Clumber Spaniel and the Sealyham Terrier; all are now so very rare that, unless something is done soon, they may one day be lost forever.
Since 2004 there have been many initiatives to raise the profile of these breeds to the public and to try and attract new enthusiasts with varying degrees of success. Now is the time to move up a gear; for these breeds to work together as a group; to exchange views and information and to collaborate on future projects for the benefit of all. A central meeting point is needed where like-minded enthusiasts can make contact with each other, exchange ideas and work together in an informal but effective way.
Now all this will be possible with the new interactive website
http://www.british-heritage-dog-breeds.co.uk as the hub.
Set up by breed enthusiasts, for breed enthusiasts, who believe that a new direction and new ideas are needed if these breeds are to flourish.
The time has come to cast off the “vulnerable” tag, with all its negative baggage and “re-brand” ourselves as British Heritage Breeds. Just like an ancient building or a fine work of art, these British Heritage Dog Breeds need to be preserved for future generations to cherish and enjoy.
http://british-heritage-dog-breeds.co.uk
.......................Because they’re worth it.
British Heritage Dog Breeds website has been conceived and created by two long time campaigners for rare British dog breeds, Paul Keevil and Hilary Cheyne. Both owners of Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Paul Keevil lives in Surrey and is an Art Dealer, photographer and freelance writer for dog related subjects.
Hilary Cheyne lives in Norfolk and is a professional web designer and instructor.