Corgis and huskies are pulling ahead, says Kennel Club, but Dulux dog numbers are falling

Popular TV shows are giving certain breeds a boost, while others are in decline
Dogs from Game of Thrones and The Crown are taking over from Old English sheepdogs
Dogs from Game of Thrones and The Crown are taking over from Old English sheepdogs
DIANE PEARCE

Cute and fluffy no longer counts in the harsh new world of canine celebrity. It is all about whether people have seen the dog in a popular television series.

A sharp increase in registrations of pedigree breeds that resemble the direwolves from Game of Thrones has been accompanied by a similar surge of enthusiasm for the corgis featured in the Netflix series The Crown.

At the same time, breeders have reported a surprise slump in demand for Old English sheepdogs, beloved for their role in television ads for Dulux paint.

The number of “Dulux” dogs registered in the UK reached an all-time low of just 98 puppies in the first three months of the year, according to the Kennel Club. They are in danger of