The prime responsibility of the Kennel Club is 'to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs'. It is of course also particularly concerned with those breeds that are of British origin and are considered to be in decline and whose status has diminished over a number of years. In June 2003, a decision was made that research would be undertaken to identify and confirm the relevant breeds and the extent of their vulnerability. With the support of the Irish Kennel Club, the research would also include native Irish breeds. Breeds which achieved 300 or fewer registrations each year in the UK were of prime concern. A list of those breeds is given below: Bloodhound Deerhound Greyhound Otterhound Gordon Setter Irish Red and White Setter Curly Coated Retriever Clumber Spaniel Field Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel Sussex Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Smooth Fox Terrier Glen of Imaal Terrier Irish Terrier Kerry Blue Terrier Lakeland Terrier Manchester Terrier Norwich Terrier Sealyham Terrier Skye Terrier Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Welsh Terrier Smooth Collie Lancashire Heeler Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) King Charles Spaniel The Kennel Club has now approached all the registered clubs of the breeds concerned for their views and are helping to identify ways for breeders, owners and show societies to promote their breed. Perhaps the saddest drop is that of the Sealyham Terrier; in 1938, 1,084 puppies were registered, yet in 2004, only 60 were registered. Indeed, it is strange that when Labradors and Golden Retrievers are so popular around the world, why not Curly Coats? Rough, but not the easier to manage Smooth Collie? Cavaliers but not King Charles, and so on. For more information on the individual breeds, click on the names above. For more information about Vulnerable Native Breeds, click one of the links below.

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