As long as man has had dogs, some breeds have had a hard time going on. Many almost disappeared as the years went on and people didn’t need them. Dog lovers and breeders fought for their very existence. These ten breeds are a testament to that battle.
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Otterhound
The Otterhound is a giant shaggy hound breed which was originally bred for otter hunting in Britain’s rivers and streams. When this practice was banned, the breed almost became extinct. Now there are only a few hundred of them and the Otterhound is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world.
Norwegian Lundehund
This six-toed wonder, with its remarkable flexibility, was bred to hunt puffins along the rocky cliffs of Norway. But after puffin hunting ended, the breed nearly disappeared. At one point in the 1960s there were only a few dogs left, but careful breeding brought their numbers back up.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Small terriers with long bodies and a topknot hair style, they were a hit in Scotland. Their popularity waned in the 20th century when larger terriers became more fashionable. The breed exists today because enthusiasts bred it carefully but it remains very uncommon.
Tibetan Mastiff
Once widespread across Tibet, these giant watchdogs guarded monasteries and villages for centuries. Their numbers dropped sharply after China restricted dog ownership, and nomadic herders no longer relied on them once modern methods replaced old ways. The breed survived only because a few remained in Tibet’s most remote areas.
Saluki
An ancient Middle Eastern hunting dog, it came close to extinction as the traditional method of hunting with these dogs waned. The breed owes its continued existence to a small group of Bedouin tribesmen and later to western breeders who fell in love with the breed’s grace and speed.
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
Tiny terriers were much in fashion in Victorian England. The English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) had its numbers dwindle as other toy breeds became more popular. It is now on the list of vulnerable breeds, but selective breeding has kept it from disappearing.
St. John’s Water Dog
The St. John’s Water Dog is considered to be the ancestor of retrievers. They were originally very common in Newfoundland, before breeding regulations and hybridization caused their demise. By the 1980s, the last known St. John’s Water Dogs had died.
Skye Terrier
Famous in Scotland and adored by Queen Victoria, the Skye Terrier was crowded out when people turned to other terrier breeds. The breed was in serious decline, but small breeding lines remained.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a gigantic dog that almost went extinct in the 19th century, when wolves were hunted to near-extinction in Ireland. There were no more wolves for the large dogs to hunt, so they were all but forgotten. A few were rescued and crossbred with similar large dogs, to restore the breed.
Bedlington Terrier
This adorable dog looks like a lamb and was originally a miners’ dog in England. Their numbers crashed in the 1900s, and extinction was a real threat. Thanks to devoted efforts, they survived, but they’re still quite rare.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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