According to the American Kennel Club, many beloved dogs you may remember everywhere just a few years ago are slowly disappearing from the scene because of today’s busy lifestyles and unseen grooming expenses.
The Old English Sheepdog
Remember those Saturday morning cartoons with the cute shaggy dog guiding the kids home? Nowadays families just don’t have time to deal with that thick wooly coat.
Potential owners are no longer interested in spending multiple hours brushing these pups every week, just to avoid huge mats of goo stuck to their skin.
The Kennel Club in the UK has recently classified them as a vulnerable native breed, due to a sudden decline in puppy registrations.
We love you, Butch, but you’re just not pet-friendly enough for today’s busy households.
The Weimaraner
If you don’t recognize them by name, you probably know these dogs by their spooky gray husky looks.
Despite being a trending canine choice in the 90s and early 2000s, Weimaraners have been on a gradual decline according to American Kennel Club’s popularity rank statistics.
The problem is, these guys require a lot of exercise. Weims tend to experience severe separation anxiety. If they’re stuck inside all day with nothing to do, expect your furniture (and maybe even your walls) to pay the price.
The Bloodhound
Best known for their bloodcurdling howl and use in police hunting packs, Bloodhounds used to be one of the most popular scent hounds in America.
Recent statistics from canine registries show that some years, less than 10 puppies were registered in the United States and England.
Not only are they enormous dogs, but they drool excessively and smell like a dirty gym sock. It’s definitely not the scent you’d want clinging to your sofa or the kids’ bedding. And if you let them off the leash, they’ll be off tracking your neighbor’s lost cat forever.
The Irish Wolfhound
They may be gentle giants, but these ancient war dogs became trendy on estates and with big dog enthusiasts everywhere. Recent statistics have shown, however, that registrations have been consistently decreasing.
Many blame this on the alarmingly low life expectancy of the breed: only six to eight years. It costs a lot of money to keep a dog over ninety pounds alive if they are constantly fighting inherited conditions such as osteosarcoma and bloat.
It’s simply too much for many to handle investing so much time and money into a cherished companion, only to lose them so soon.
The Miniature Pinscher
Peddled heavily in the early 2000s as the feisty, courageous “King of Toys,” this small breed appealed to those who wanted the attitude of a large dog without the heavyweight frame. Their standing has fallen quite a bit in the last two decades, according to AKC registration numbers.
Owners describe them as one of the hardest dogs to potty train, and they have a very strong will.
With a surge of more agreeable, highly social breeds hitting the market, the Min Pin’s sharp, demanding nature proved a mismatch for novice pet parents.
The Bearded Collie
Sprightly and playful by nature, Beardies were once popular among active families looking for an eccentric and engaging herding breed.
However, recent annual figures from major kennel clubs reveal that puppy registrations have plummeted to their lowest point ever, placing them in a precarious, vulnerable position.
And while they may have easier grooming requirements than their long-haired relatives, the Bearded Collie still needs a substantial investment of time and patience stripping grass, dirt, and burrs from its lengthy facial and body fur.
Potential buyers have increasingly favored short-haired herding breeds or mixed breeds that don’t track in a mountain of dirt after a quick outing.
The Borzoi
Used to be among the fanciest pedigrees to grace upper class households and later sleek icons of Art Deco style, the Borzoi will stop traffic wherever they roam.
These days, however, you don’t see them around quite as much. That’s because today’s world wasn’t designed with dogs like Borzois in mind. Between cramped city apartments and suburban neighborhoods that lack open spaces, there just aren’t many places for tall, slender sighthounds to run around these days.
As you might guess based on their physicality, Borzois are also hunters by nature. With few areas to practice what they were bred to hunt and run down, Borzois find themselves even less common than before.
Not to mention, Borzois have some temperament traits that make them difficult housemates for some.
The Bullmastiff
Originally bred to guard houses from poachers in England, Bullmastiffs became household guard dogs during the mid-2000s. We’re seeing a decline of more than fifteen spots in their registration, indicating a slow departure from this breed.
Modern apartment policies, increased homeowners insurance costs (for guard dog breeds), and weight restrictions in apartment complexes have limited their living possibilities.
Along with a guarantee of excessive drool and risk of heat stroke, people are choosing smaller breeds to keep safe.
The Smooth Collie
Long-haired Collies became one of the world’s most recognizable breeds thanks to television.
However, Smooth Collies were once bred by those who wanted the brains of a traditional herding dog but didn’t want to hassle with the thick coat. Registration statistics reveal they are now nearing extinction, regularly appearing on at-risk breed charts with less than 60 puppies registered annually.
Smooth Collies have become invisible to the general public. Unless you live near a dedicated breeder, you will rarely see one wandering around your local park.
And due to their lack of visibility, most prospective puppy shoppers aren’t aware the Smooth Collie is even an option.
The Afghan Hound
Runway superstar of the 70s and 80s, the Afghan Hound was THE dog to be seen with if you were a celebrity or serious exhibitor.
Fast forward to now and they rank near the bottom of worldwide registration tallies. I can’t remember the last time I spotted one at the dog park.
Grooming their big, feathered coat needs hours of bathing, blow drying, and oiling each week just to avoid disastrous matting. Plus, their notoriously stubborn nature means they often ignore commands, preferring to go wherever they please.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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