Walker’s shortbread and Radley handbags have selected the small, distinctive dog as their official mascot, and its numbers have dropped to their lowest point since records began.
The diminutive and recognizable Scottie, the official symbol of Walker’s shortbread and Radley handbags, has experienced a decline in popularity since its inception.
The breed is now on the “at watch” list of the Kennel Club since in 2023 there were only 406 puppy births registered by breeders.
Compared to its century-old peak of over 5,800 registrations in a single year, it represents a sharp decline.
The terrier, Queen Victoria’s favorite breed, was first developed in the Highlands to hunt foxes, badgers, and other rodents.
Bernese Mountain dogs and small long-haired dachshunds, on the other end of the popularity spectrum, have had the greatest rises, at 24% and 20%, respectively.