Power of TV - Revival of Dulux Dog adverts inspire revival in breed Hopefully now we will start seeing a constant increase in registration figures for these dogs, and we will no longer have to worry about the vulnerability of this wonderful native British breed. The Dulux Dog, which was first shown in 1961, reappeared on our screens two years ago after a 15 year absence to mark the 50th anniversary of the advertising campaign. This and the rise in designer "handbag" dogs has been blamed for the dwindling numbers of the breed. Janet and husband Tony Steele have been breeding old English sheep dogs since they got their first "Dulux dog" in 1975 and have had many champions and prize-winning dogs. The couple currently have two dogs, Rose, 10 and Madison, 6, who weighs a hefty 34kg. Madison, appeared in a television advert for the paint manufacturer as the iconic 'Dulux dog' in 2011. The couple from Rugby, Warks, are the only breeders in the county and began their love affair with the breed when they lived in South Africa and took ownership of their first old English, a boy called Wellington. Janet, 66, said: "It's good to see that hopefully they won't go on vulnerable list. They should be OK for this year - and hopefully the future. I'm pleased - it's encouraging that they haven't gone in to total decline. I would like to see the dogs make a comeback - but not to the figures they were in the late 70s and 80s because I don't want them to be abandoned. When we breed they go to pet homes - or show homes, we usually keep one for the next litter. I think one of the reasons for their decline was because celebrities tend to go with designer handbag dogs now. Dulux dogs have gone out of fashion. People like Paris Hilton have these rats on leads. They are designer dogs like chihuahuas costing thousands of pounds. People carry them round in their bags - but they're dogs, they should be walking. People are following trends and fashions in dogs despite these dogs just not being suitable to many lifestyles. Despite the fact that old English sheep dogs have good temperaments and can make fantastic family pets their popularity is being eclipsed by more fashionable foreign breeds that can be much harder to train and care for. They do need a bit of combing, but how much depends on whether or not you want them as a show dog. And even though they are big they don't need ridiculous amounts of exercise - nice walks and good company and they are very happy. They're big and cuddly and are very good with children. Tony, 67, said: "People don't want to do the maintenance. There's a risk of them becoming vulnerable as people just aren't breeding as many. The number of people competing as dropped dramatically.