Post A Pup Sundays: Breeds on the Brink of Extinction
Because not every good boy gets a second chance. We’re losing them. Not just the coral reefs, the bookstores, or the ability to sit in silence at a red light without checking your phone — but actual dog breeds. Noble, goofy, gallant, stubborn, snuggly creatures who once roamed castles, fields, and couches alike. Many of these rare breeds are on the brink of extinction. They didn’t get a TikTok handler, a quirky rebrand, or a PR miracle like the Frenchie. And now? They’re quietly fading into history.
Why Are Dog Breeds Disappearing?
Urbanization: Farm dogs and working dogs don’t thrive in condos.
Trendy Breeds: Social media turned the dog market into a popularity contest.
Specialization: Some breeds had one job — and that job no longer exists.
Low Litters & High Costs: Rare breeds often have small gene pools and expensive care needs.
“Designer” Dogs: Doodles and miniatures grabbed the spotlight, pushing heritage breeds into obscurity.
Trendy Breeds: Social media turned the dog market into a popularity contest.
Specialization: Some breeds had one job — and that job no longer exists.
Low Litters & High Costs: Rare breeds often have small gene pools and expensive care needs.
“Designer” Dogs: Doodles and miniatures grabbed the spotlight, pushing heritage breeds into obscurity.
Breeds on the Brink: Profiles of the Nearly Forgotten
Otterhound (UK)
Claim to Fame: Bred for otter hunting in medieval England and Scotland until the practice was outlawed in 1978.
Looks: Think hound meets hay bale — scruffy, wet-beard energy with soulful eyes.
Vibe: Big, smelly, loving goofball with the heart of a bard.
Why We Love Them: Their booming voices and clownish charm are oddly irresistible.
Status: Fewer than 600 remain globally — rarer than the giant panda.
Claim to Fame: Bred for otter hunting in medieval England and Scotland until the practice was outlawed in 1978.
Looks: Think hound meets hay bale — scruffy, wet-beard energy with soulful eyes.
Vibe: Big, smelly, loving goofball with the heart of a bard.
Why We Love Them: Their booming voices and clownish charm are oddly irresistible.
Status: Fewer than 600 remain globally — rarer than the giant panda.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier (Scotland) (see above)
Claim to Fame: Named after a character in Sir Walter Scott’s 1814 novel “Guy Mannering.”
Looks: Curved body, fluffy topknot, and soulful button eyes — like a Regency poet turned muppet.
Vibe: Reserved but loyal, clever with a dry wit.
History: Originally used to hunt otters and badgers in the Borders of Scotland and England.
Current Status: Critically endangered — fewer than 100 puppies registered per year.
Claim to Fame: Named after a character in Sir Walter Scott’s 1814 novel “Guy Mannering.”
Looks: Curved body, fluffy topknot, and soulful button eyes — like a Regency poet turned muppet.
Vibe: Reserved but loyal, clever with a dry wit.
History: Originally used to hunt otters and badgers in the Borders of Scotland and England.
Current Status: Critically endangered — fewer than 100 puppies registered per year.
Skye Terrier (Scotland)
Royal Endorsement: Queen Victoria’s favorite. One famously guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years — that’s Greyfriars Bobby.
Looks: Draped in flowing hair, with ears like feathery wings or bat-antennae.
Vibe: Devoted to one person. Tolerates others. A canine Jane Eyre.
History: Originates from the Isle of Skye. Bred for hunting foxes and badgers.
Problem: Not trending. Too dignified for TikTok.
Royal Endorsement: Queen Victoria’s favorite. One famously guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years — that’s Greyfriars Bobby.
Looks: Draped in flowing hair, with ears like feathery wings or bat-antennae.
Vibe: Devoted to one person. Tolerates others. A canine Jane Eyre.
History: Originates from the Isle of Skye. Bred for hunting foxes and badgers.
Problem: Not trending. Too dignified for TikTok.
Norwegian Lundehund (Norway)
Fun Fact: Six toes, flexible shoulders, and a neck that bends backward — the Cirque du Soleil of dogs.
Original Job: Puffin hunter on rocky Nordic cliffs. Could scale and wriggle into nests like no other.
Looks: Fox-meets-ferret meets tiny wolf.
Vibe: Smart, a little weird, and loyal to their own kind.
Endangerment: Very small gene pool, prone to digestive issues (Lundehund Syndrome).
Fun Fact: Six toes, flexible shoulders, and a neck that bends backward — the Cirque du Soleil of dogs.
Original Job: Puffin hunter on rocky Nordic cliffs. Could scale and wriggle into nests like no other.
Looks: Fox-meets-ferret meets tiny wolf.
Vibe: Smart, a little weird, and loyal to their own kind.
Endangerment: Very small gene pool, prone to digestive issues (Lundehund Syndrome).
Sloughi (North Africa)
Also Known As: Arabian Greyhound or the Berber sighthound.
Looks: Long-legged, fine-boned, and minimalist — if Bauhaus built a dog.
Vibe: Dignified and independent. Think Greta Garbo in a wind tunnel.
History: Revered by Bedouins for hunting gazelle across deserts.
Endangerment: Still known in Morocco and Algeria, but scarce in the West.
Also Known As: Arabian Greyhound or the Berber sighthound.
Looks: Long-legged, fine-boned, and minimalist — if Bauhaus built a dog.
Vibe: Dignified and independent. Think Greta Garbo in a wind tunnel.
History: Revered by Bedouins for hunting gazelle across deserts.
Endangerment: Still known in Morocco and Algeria, but scarce in the West.
American Foxhound (USA)
Founding Father Fave: George Washington was obsessed. He bred them for sport hunting.
Looks: A leaner, leggy version of a Beagle with a musical howl.
Vibe: Energetic, headstrong, and disinterested in pleasing humans.
History: Developed in the colonies from English and French hounds. Meant to chase, not cuddle.
Problem: Not great in apartments or with neighbors who hate baying.
Founding Father Fave: George Washington was obsessed. He bred them for sport hunting.
Looks: A leaner, leggy version of a Beagle with a musical howl.
Vibe: Energetic, headstrong, and disinterested in pleasing humans.
History: Developed in the colonies from English and French hounds. Meant to chase, not cuddle.
Problem: Not great in apartments or with neighbors who hate baying.
Sussex Spaniel (England)
Looks: Low-slung, golden-liver coated spaniel with sad, wise eyes.
Vibe: Slow and steady — a nap in a fur coat.
History: Bred to hunt in thick underbrush of Sussex, England. They plod, they snuffle, they win hearts.
Problem: Not made for speed or stairs. Overlooked by high-energy families.
Looks: Low-slung, golden-liver coated spaniel with sad, wise eyes.
Vibe: Slow and steady — a nap in a fur coat.
History: Bred to hunt in thick underbrush of Sussex, England. They plod, they snuffle, they win hearts.
Problem: Not made for speed or stairs. Overlooked by high-energy families.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier (USA)
Yes, Really: Named after the 26th president. Feisty and patriotic.
Looks: Compact, muscular, and ready to herd or rumble.
Vibe: All-American scrapper with a genius-level brain and a snuggle bug heart.
History: Developed in early 20th century from ratters brought by immigrants.
Endangerment: Sidelined by trendier designer dogs.
Yes, Really: Named after the 26th president. Feisty and patriotic.
Looks: Compact, muscular, and ready to herd or rumble.
Vibe: All-American scrapper with a genius-level brain and a snuggle bug heart.
History: Developed in early 20th century from ratters brought by immigrants.
Endangerment: Sidelined by trendier designer dogs.
Letting these dogs vanish is like losing living history. These breeds carry stories — of farmers, royalty, hunters, and everyday people who shaped them. They aren’t just cute. They’re legacy, character, culture, and companionship.
Adopt, Don’t Shop — But Shop Smart: If you want a rare breed, work with ethical breeders focused on preservation. Some of these amazing dogs languish in rescues because no one understands them and they aren't the dog du jour. Personally I love the idea of having a Dandie Dinmont just to say I have a Dandie Dinmont. The name itself tickles the hell out of me.
Donate to Preservation Societies: Many need funding to continue responsible breeding and care. If this issue is something you care about help these little breeders or rescues survive. If you have room for another pup consider one of these loyal babies. Our Tu es fou has 2 Skyes and I am obsessively in love with them. Their look is so cute like television dogs or pups that belong in a children's book.
Talk About Them: Visibility saves lives. Use your social media powers for good. It might help them go viral and then people will see them and want one too.
Volunteer or Foster: Some rescues specialize in rare breed placements. If you can't adopt think about helping a needy pup get a break from a shelter to decompress and get some daily loving from one of our readers. You guys are so awesome with animals so consider it if you have the time and the room.
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| His tuft of hair on his little head is adorable. |
In a world of Labradoodles, be a Dandie Dinmont (I am telling you I want one). It’s not about being popular. It’s about being unforgettable.
photos: Wikipedia, Spruce Pets, Blogs, Pinterest.
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