Dogs in Danger 2026: Here are 10 iconic breeds of adorable dog on the brink of extinction - including the loving Greyhound 🐶

If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.

Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).

Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ like the popular Labradoodle (half Labrador, half Poodle) to lovable mongrels.

So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.

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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.

Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.

But if you fancy helping a dog breed that’s less popuar than the usual Labrador Retrievers, Poodles and French Bulldog then the Royal Kennel Club have a list of those that are now classified as ‘Vulnerable Native Breeds’.

These are dogs first bred in Britain who have experienced a near-catastrophic drop in popularity, as more people choose the same few breeds or so-called designer dogs.

The experts from VetMedi.co.uk have crunched the numbers and revealed that breeds that have defined British life for centuries - from working terriers to coastal hounds - are rapidly vanishing.

Here are 10 iconic British breeds that face an uncertain future - and could do with your help.

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