Native British breed at risk of extinction

The English Setter has joined 24 other breeds at risk of extinction in the UK, numbering only 234 Kennel Club registrations last year, a 33% decline from 2010.

Celebrity culture and a desire for more exotic and ‘famous’ breeds are driving breeds such as The English Setter out of fashion and, ultimately, to extinction.

The Kennel Club has spoken out against owners who shun native breeds in favour of exotic ones, claiming few owners know or understand exotic breeds well enough to provide the right lifestyle for them. The Kennel Club blames the decline on ‘fickle tastes and celebrity culture’ – aspects of our society that are not easily combatted in mainstream culture.

For more information on The English Setter and Kennel Club services visit The Kennel Club website.

Worth approximately $1.5m, ‘Big Splash’ is officially the world’s most expensive dog.

With his striking red fur and unique appearance, Big Splash is also seen as extremely lucky in China, believed to bring security and great luck to a household.

For more information about this remarkable dog please click here. Don’t expect to see one passing through your practice anytime soon, though!

It’s commonly accepted that large-breed dogs have shorter lifespans than small-breed dogs, but a new 20-year retrospective by researchers at the University of Georgia offers additional details about canine mortality trends. Toy breeds like Chihuahuas (19 percent of deaths) are known to have high rates of cardiovascular disease, but Dr. Kate Creevy, assistant professor in [...]