Toto is at risk of EXTINCTION: Cairn Terrier which rose to fame as Dorothy’s dog in the Wizard of Oz has HALVED in popularity over the last 10 years, experts warn
- New statistics show a significant fall in numbers for the once-popular breed
- Their numbers have halved in the last decade, from 1,085 in 2013 to 492 in 2022
It’s the breed that shot to fame with the line: ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.’
But the historic British dog, the Cairn Terrier, could be at risk of disappearing.
New statistics, released from the Kennel Club, show a significant fall in numbers for the once-popular breed.
In the first quarter of 2023 the working terrier recorded a 42 per cent decrease in popularity compared to the same period the previous year.
Their numbers have also more than halved in the last decade, from 1,085 annual puppies born in 2013 to just 492 in 2022.
It’s the breed that shot to fame with the line: ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.’ But the historic British dog, the Cairn Terrier, could be at risk of disappearing
READ MORE: How the King is leading a Jack Russell resurgence! Numbers of the breed – famously owned by Charles and Camilla – have increased by 40%
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are parents to two Jack Russell Terriers, Bluebell (left) and Beth (right), who they rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2017
Experts are now warning the small Scottish breed, which originates from the Isle of Skye, is facing an uncertain future.
Their current predicament is a far cry from the 1930s, when the Cairn Terrier was in one of the top five most popular breeds in the country.
It became one of the most well-known dogs in film, after featuring as Dorothy’s beloved Toto in The Wizard of Oz.
Following the release of the film in 1939 demand for the breed skyrocketed, with a 658 per cent increase in the number of puppies registered over the next seven years.
Their popularity peaked in 1989, with 4,189 puppies born that year.
But, thanks to a recent nosedive in numbers, there are fears the breed will enter The Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Native Breeds list, which highlights British and Irish Breeds which are at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks.
Bill Lambert, spokesman for The Kennel Club said: ‘The Cairn Terrier is an iconic breed, best known as Toto, but also as a firm family favourite, so the low numbers we are currently seeing are very worrying.
‘Cairn Terriers are active and fearless little dogs who make a great pet for the right owners.
‘We have such a rich diversity of breeds in this country, with over 200 different breeds, and we urge would-be owners to make sure they spend time researching to find the right one for them, and are prepared for their various needs, such as grooming, exercise and training needs.’
In the first quarter of 2023 the working terrier recorded a 42 per cent decrease in popularity compared to the same period the previous year
Their numbers have also more than halved in the last decade, from 1,085 annual puppies born in 2013 to just 492 in 2022
Other breeds which have experienced a popularity boost thanks to their appearance on TV include the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, which came off the ‘At Risk’ list in 2017 after it featured in the hit series The Crown.
Demand for the wolf-like Alaskan Malamute tripled following the appearance of the dire wolf, an extinct canine, in Game of Thrones.
Meanwhile the live-action release of 101 Dalmatians in 1996 sparked a surge in people buying the spotted puppies.
However, Mr Lambert warned people should not buy a breed just because they see it on TV.
‘Whilst exposure in films or popular culture can help to bring some of our much-loved breeds which are at risk of extinction back to the attention of the public, as the Crown appeared to do with the Corgi, of course nobody should be buying a dog simply because they’ve seen them on TV, in popular culture or because of celebrity ownership,’ he said.
‘Thorough, extensive and responsible research should drive any decision to ensure the breed is right for you.’
Apart from the Cairn Terrier, other British breeds that have recorded a recent drop in numbers include the Airedale Terrier, Irish Setter and the Pointer.
To increase awareness of these breeds at risk of disappearing the Vulnerable Native Breeds Show, which will showcase all 34 vulnerable breeds and is free to the public, is taking place this weekend (18 June) at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMONLY HELD MYTHS ABOUT DOGS?
It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true.
Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to Animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney.
1. Dogs don’t like to share
2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted
3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog
4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home
5. Dogs like to be active and don’t need as much relaxation time as humans
6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with
7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive
8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won’t always suffice
9. Sometimes a dog isn’t misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want
10. Subtle facial signals often preempt barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy
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