The English Setter has come off the Kennel Club’s list of native dog breeds that could be at risk of extinction after registrations increased by 25 percent in 2012, in a year that saw a celebration of all things British.

The breed dropped to less than 300 registrations last year, which is the point at which the Kennel Club deems a breed to be vulnerable. In 2012 the breed increased from 234 to 314 registrations, which means that the breed has now moved onto the Kennel Club’s At Watch list, which is for breeds that have between 300 and 450 registrations and whose progress is monitored by the Club.

The Old English Sheepdog, which entered the Kennel Club’s At Watch List last year has also seen a 7 percent increase, taking it to 429 registrations.

The breeds on the Kennel Club’s vulnerable breeds list will be amongst the 210 breeds that will be at Crufts, at the NEC on 8-11 March. There will be a Discover Dogs zone, where visitors can meet and learn about the different breeds.

Health and fitness expert, Rosemary Conley CBE has teamed up with the Kennel Club once again to launch Get Fit With Fido to encourage dog owners to enlist their canine companions to help battle the bulge.

The Kennel Club’s Get Fit With Fido 2013 Challenge has launched and runs until 15th July 2013. The challenge rewards the dog and dog owner who jointly lose the most weight and the dog owner and dog who individually lose the most weight, with the help of exercising together.

At the same time, Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations rehomed 203 dogs within these breeds last year, and this is just the tip of the iceberg with many other breed and general rescue homes also struggling to cope with the ever increasing numbers coming through their doors. The Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisation, Akita Rescue and Welfare Trust, which will be at Crufts, saw the number of dogs needing rehoming treble to 91 in 2012 and the Friends of Akitas Trust took in another 35. Similarly, the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Welfare Scheme reached its maximum capacity last year, which alongside two other rescue organisations took in 158 huskies in 2012. Meanwhile the Japanese Akita Welfare Trust rescued more than 100 dogs.

The Kennel Club has released the statistics, ahead of Crufts, which show that pedigree registrations of dog breeds resembling the wolf

Margaret Anderson Owner / Handler from Coventry with Zentarr Elizabeth ( A seven year-old Lhasa Apso called Ch Zentarr Elizabeth owned by Mrs M Anderson )

Buster is now retired from the RAF after surviving five tours of duty, braving bombs and bullets. He has returned home a military hero and is now enjoying retirement at home with RAF Police Sergeant Michael Barrow who he worked with tirelessly.

While in service, Buster saved countless lives by sniffing out explosive vests, leading to the arrests of two suicide bombers. He joined his comrades repeatedly on foot patrols through the poppy fields, hunting Taliban insurgents and tracking down booby trap bombs left behind for British and American troops.

Since Buster's Friends for Life nomination, Michael has been redeployed on a tour of duty. Flight Sergeant Phil Brown is at Crufts on behalf of Michael.