With dog ownership skyrocketing over the past 18 months, the impact of lockdown on puppy buying may be even more widespread than expected, with certain ‘rare’ breeds seeing their numbers increase during the height of the pandemic in the West Midlands.
New data released ahead of Discover Dogs by dog welfare organisation, The Kennel Club, shows that, since the start of the pandemic, there has been a rise both regionally and nationally in the popularity of more unusual breeds, suggesting that puppy buyers were using the time spent at home to research more unknown breeds that would best suit their lifestyle.
In the West Midlands, the Shih Tzu and Bull Terrier made the region’s top 20 most popular breeds during the pandemic period, increasing in popularity by 41 per cent and 53 per cent respectively, whilst the Dogue de Bordeaux has fallen out of favour, alongside the previously fashionable and celebrity choice, the Chihuahua. Three Vulnerable Native Breeds, classified as such due to declining numbers of puppies born each year, also saw a boost in the region during the pandemic, with the friendly and energetic Irish Red & White Setter increasing by 600 per cent, the Skye Terrier by 333 per cent and the Glen of Imaal Terrier by 267 per cent, indicating that many puppy buyers are starting to look beyond some of the more common choices.
Nationally, of the ten breeds which have risen the quickest in popularity during the pandemic, two are currently classed as vulnerable breeds; the Field Spaniel, and the Irish Red and White Setter, the latter of which was named as the most vulnerable breed in 2019. Additionally, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a vulnerable breed in 2014 (registering less than 300 puppies that year), also saw an increase of 65 per cent during the pandemic period, with more than 1,500 puppies registered during this time.
Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, said: “We are all aware that many people turned to canine companionship during the pandemic, with Britain experiencing a boom in puppy ownership. However, the fact that many of these puppies being brought home by are lesser-known, and even vulnerable, breeds is a welcome surprise.
“With many of us having spent much more time at home over the past two years, it appears that some would-be owners in the West Midlands have been using this time to make more informed choices when purchasing a puppy, and choosing breeds that are truly right for them. There is such a rich diversity of breeds, all with their own unique characteristics, so we hope that potential puppy buyers in the future will continue to consider some of our more unusual four-legged friends.
“Discover Dogs, our upcoming event in London, enables potential owners get to know and meet all the different breeds we are lucky to have – from the unusual to the popular - and to find their perfect match. We would strongly encourage anyone in the West Midlands who is thinking about getting a dog to come along and meet 150 different breeds under one roof and learn more from experts, so they can find a four-legged friend who is perfect for their family and lifestyle.”
