By Valerie Elliot For The Mail On Sunday
Published: 22:22 GMT, 23 February 2019 | Updated: 23:07 GMT, 23 February 2019
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With its distinctive body and pointed ears, the Scottish terrier is one of Britain’s most instantly recognisable dogs.
A favourite of Queen Victoria and several US Presidents, Scotties have been used to advertise whisky and shortbread, and even immortalised as one of the playing pieces in Monopoly.
But experts have warned that they could be wiped out as they fall out of favour as a family pet in favour of ‘designer’ breeds such as the cockapoo.
![Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko blamed a lack of celebrity owners for the sharp decline in popularity of the Scottie dog (above). The 'at risk' register has been released ahead of the Crufts dog show at the Birmingham NEC next month [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/23/21/10191962-6738071-image-a-1_1550957236454.jpg)
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko blamed a lack of celebrity owners for the sharp decline in popularity of the Scottie dog (above). The 'at risk' register has been released ahead of the Crufts dog show at the Birmingham NEC next month [File photo]
The Kennel Club has placed Scotties on its ‘at-risk’ register, after an all-time low of just 438 puppies were registered last year. In the 1950s, it was one of the most popular dogs in Britain, with thousands registered every year.
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko blamed a lack of celebrity owners for its sharp decline in popularity. ‘Breeds like the Scottie are simply being forgotten,’ she warned.
‘If a breed doesn’t have a high-profile owner, it can be hard to get recognition from new puppy buyers. And these days there is no celebrity champion of the Scottie.’
That wasn’t always the case. The breed has been loved by three US Presidents – George W. Bush, Dwight Eisenhower
