THE Scottish terrier – more famously known as the Scottie dog – has experienced a surge of popularity in the first three months of this year, resulting in the breed no longer being at risk of dying out, according to a leading dog welfare organisation.

The historic native breed has a Monopoly piece to its name and is the face of renowned brands such as Radley, but last year it was at risk of disappearing after numbers fell so low that they were put on the Kennel Club’s “At Watch” list for the first time.

But new statistics from the organisation indicates a boost for the breed, with puppy registrations increasing by 92% in the first few months of 2020 compared to the same period last year.

The resurgence in popularity makes the Scottie dog the “top riser” so far in the new decade.

Til Tovey, chairman of the Scottish Terrier Club of England, said: “Scottish terriers are affectionate, loyal and intelligent, so we are delighted that this heritage breed seems to be bouncing back from historically low puppy numbers.

“Of course responsible breeders will always place welfare first, not breeding simply to boost numbers, so we hope to continue to see a steady resurgence, with new owners taking time to research their decision.

“Scottish terriers may be small but they certainly have big personalities and are simply iconic in this country – so they would be sorely missed if they were to dwindle as a breed. We hope this revival means the future is bright for our much-loved Scotties!”

Other native terrier breeds on the up include the Jack Russell Terrier, the historic Parson Russell Terrier, and the Cairn Terrier, which originated in the Highlands.

There is worrying news, however, for another of Britain’s most recognisable dog breeds, the Old English Sheepdog.

The breed can be instantly recognised as the “Dulux dog”, but numbers fell to historic lows in 2019 with just 317 puppies born.

So far in 2020, there have been just 53 puppy registrations – a 46% decrease when compared to the same period last year.