Dog breeds in danger of extinction

It is a very well-known fact that a dog is man’s best friend, but our furry pets may be in danger of extinction:  in short, various original breeds from different countries. Low birth rates, being crossed with other dogs or the effect of what is fashionable may be responsible for some of our furry friends being in danger of disappearing forever.  

But, which dog breeds are in real danger of extinction? Is this an alarming threat for our pets today?  What is certain is that there have already been dogs in danger of extinction, and this has resulted in them disappearing.  Some examples are, the techichi, the paisley terrier or the braco de Puy breeds.

Are there dogs that are in danger of extinction?

Saying that the dog is in danger of extinction (in general) could lead to exploring too many developments. However, there are some dogs that currently run that risk. These are the following:

Old English sheepdog

Also known as the bobtail, it is recognised by its abundance of grey and white fur. It is at risk of extinction in the United Kingdom. Even the Beatles dedicated a song to it in 1968, “Martha My Dear” was written by Paul McCartney for his dog. One of the reasons for their gradual disappearance has to do with lifestyle changes, as these dogs require a lot of care and exercise and do not adapt well to small spaces.  

Spanish Alano

In our country, the Spanish Alano features among the breeds in danger of extinction. This dog was very common in the 19th century because it was used by the army during the war, and was also used for hunting and for shepherding. But the army didn’t need them any longer, hunting stopped being a recurrent event and new breeds of dogs arrived that took its place in shepherding.  

Puli

The Puli, pulik or Hungarian puli is a breed that originated in Hungary, where it is the national symbol. It is medium to small size and notable for its coat of dreadlocks, which means that it requires a lot of care. It has a friendly character towards children and is also a great guard dog. Given its pleasant nature, the fact that it is one of the dogs in danger of extinction is even more worrying.

It adapts well to town or country life, although it does need quite a lot of physical activity. Today, the puli, which is also known as the Hungarian water dog, is still used for shepherding in its native country. Shepherds are very proud of the puli and its abilities, so much so that there is a saying among them: “It’s not a dog, it’s a puli”.

Pulik are confident, very intelligent and responsive to their owners. They also make excellent therapy dogs as they are very aware of the needs of the elderly and those who are unwell.  

Affenpinscher

This dog has a very different aesthetic to that sought by dog owners today. It is a small dog with a large, furry, round head, and short black curly fur. It originates from Germany.

Lundehund

Another small breed of dog whose primary function was hunting birds. It is notable for having six toes and having joints in the back of its neck which enable it to move its head more than any other dog. Its potential extinction is due to mixing with other breeds.  

Norwegian by origin, its name is derived from the prefix lunde, which means ‘dog’. The lundehund was developed for hunting birds and their eggs. Its tail is folded towards its back and the colour of its coat can vary between brown, white and grey.

Black and tan coonhound

Its name could be translated as ‘black and brown hunter of raccoons’ and it is one of the six recognised varieties within the coonhound family. It was developed in the United States to help capture the small mammals that destroy the fields and crops. It is a large-sized bloodhound with strong bones, good musculature and a head with a prominent nose.