Vulnerable Native Breeds Rare Dogs BBC Country File
Broadcast on the BBC 1 Country File show on Sunday 24th February at 11am was this piece on “rare” British and Irish breeds of dog, all of which are officially listed by the UK Kennel Club as “Vulnerable” because of their very low numbers. For example did you know that in 2007 there were just 36 Glen of Imaal Terriers born in the UK? Or just 37 Skye Terriers, a breed made famous by Greyfriars Bobby? Or just 41 Otterhounds, a breed which came over with William the Conquer and is one of our most ancient breeds? In all 15 of our rarest breeds were assembled for the BBC to film and these breeds were: (2007 Puppy totals in Brackets)
Glen of Imaal Terrier (36)
Skye Terrier (37)
Otterhound (41)
Sussex Spaniel (61)
Smooth Collie (63)
Sealyham Terrier (65)
Field Spaniel (67)
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)(68)
Irish Red & White Setter (93)
Manchester Terrier (113)
Dandie Dinmont Terrier (124)
Norwich Terrier (128)
Lancashire Heeler (146)
Irish Water Spaniel (162)
Clumber Spaniel (223)
To put these numbers in perspective, in 2007 the Kennel Club registered over 45,000 Labradors!
The Countryfile program set out to highlight the plight these breeds find them selves in. The item was filmed at Cotswold Farm Park, near Cheltenham on Tuesday 12th February 2008 on a beautiful sunny winter’s day and as the farm is famed for its many rare breeds of livestock it was the perfect venue. The BBC presenter for the item is Miriam O’Reilly, whose credits include Farming Today, Costing the Earth, File on 4 and is a Country File regular. Two breeds get to be specially featured, Irish Water Spaniels retrieving from a lake and Glen of Imaal Terriers doing some rat work in a barn.
By the way – please don’t be put off by the claim that puppies from these breeds cost One Thousand pounds each – this in NOT the case. Most of these breeds cost no more than any other pedigree puppy, about £450 – £600, about the same as a pedigree Labrador for example!
For more details on Britain’s Rare Dog Breeds please visit:
http://www.british-heritage-dog-breeds.co.uk/
If you have one of these very precious breeds, please post a comment and give this item a rating.
Thanks,
Paul Keevil
Duration : 0:5:38
[youtube NfukzUGDn1U]
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
They are perfect!
They are perfect!
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I have grown up …
I have grown up around Irish Water Spaniels and they have amazing personalities…they are surely the clowns of the spaniels
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Looks like an …
Looks like an Ibizian Hound to me.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Otterhounds are one …
Otterhounds are one of the most ancient of breeds, you can trace back their origins over one thousand years. Perhaps that also have primitive eating and drinking habits too!
Wonderful Breed – enjoy!
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
We have an otter …
We have an otter hound. Be warned there realy messy eaters and drinkers.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
we just bought a …
we just bought a manchester terrier and he cost 400 pounds.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Hi Paul
The time …
Hi Paul
The time is 049/50 – I’d like to know what the brown dog standing up with head pointing left is – dog has a white neck and brown body.
Thanks
Susan
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Hi there,
can you …
Hi there,
can you give me the time into the clip so that I can check it out for you.
Thanks for looking!
Paul Keevil
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
What is the dog …
What is the dog that is brown with white neck and white front legs standing next to the grey dog with white neck. She looks like the same breed as my dog – I’d love to know what breed it is as she loves water and running.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Irish Red and White …
Irish Red and White Setters aren’t just superb hunting dogs, they make fantastic family pets too, if you give them enough excercise (which is a lot, preferably off the leash). Their wide emotional range make them seem more human than any other dog breed I know.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I own two glen of …
I own two glen of imaal terriers love em to bits think the goin price is about 800 at the mo.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
We have an Irish …
We have an Irish Red and White Setter; they have been accepted by AKC as of Jan1, 2009, so that will probably increase their exposure here in America. Our pup came from a litter of 14; his breeders are very dedicated to the breed and have a few from Ireland.Best hunting dog I have ever known!!
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
This is just not …
This is just not true. I arranged for all the dogs to attend and at no time was I asked about the cost of a puppy. For example puppies from Sealyhams and Skye Terriers, 2 of our rarest breeds cost about £450. It is a great shame because this one throw away comment has spoilt an otherwise excellent bit of promotion for these good old fashioned traditional British Breeds, whose numbers continue to decline. Thanks for bringing this matter up, I am happy to clarify.
Paul K
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Why may i ask will …
Why may i ask will we have to pay “£1000 ” a puppy. It certainly doesnt cost anything near that to rear a puppy.Are they pricing themselves out of the market in a twisted atempt to keep the breeds exclusive”. If so the breeders themselves are not helping !
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I have a Glen of …
I have a Glen of Imaal terrier,
She is just like how they described them, She looks like a teddy as well XD
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Second idea, …
Second idea, promotion is the way forward. For anyone who wishes to find out more about any breed, a reminder that Crufts is coming up in early March, where the DISCOVER DOGS hall will feature every breed there is, with many helpful owners on hand to answer questions and give genuine information
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
The main problem, …
The main problem, with the first suggestion, Carolina, is that a reputable breeder should not even CONSIDER a proposed breeding unless he/she has a reasonable amount of forward interest in puppies first.If the enquiries for the breed are not there to begin with, it would be irresponsible to go ahead with a mating then worry about unsold pups later.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Thanks for sharing …
Thanks for sharing this with us Paul, I never saw the episode and nice to see this clip. I have favourited and 5 starred this.
Andy
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
What a fantastic …
What a fantastic thing you are doing championing rare breeds. I have a norwich which is endagered and a norfolk which is more popular. But i love all terriers especially the more unusually seen ones. I would also love a dandie but my house isnt big enough. Thanks for posting this as i missed it first time round.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Brilliant! Why …
Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?!!
Paul K
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
why not just get …
why not just get some breed them and there you go problem solved we also need to try and promote the dog breeds so people who may have not known about these dogs may like to help or use for hunting. just a suggestion
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I have one of the …
I have one of the greatest breeds of all times – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. How could Britans not appreciate their own breed?
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
you bever no you …
you bever no you might walk past a shop
(look at the for sail)
or maby a
kennal or what them called 2 buy
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I had a Manchester …
I had a Manchester Terrier (Standard) for 17 years. Couldn’t have asked for a better breed.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
aww i really want a …
aww i really want a glen terrier, but i live in canada slim chance of that happening =(