Once considered the ultimate status symbol, some of the UK's most distinctive breeds are quietly falling out of fashion in favour of designer dogs that are 'easier to take care of'.Poodles, Dalmatians and greyhounds, among others, were once hard to miss on the daily commute or a walk to the local shops, with their striking looks and unique traits making them firm favourites among the wealthy, sporty and style-conscious.But fast-forward a decade or two, and some of these once-popular breeds are rarely spotted. So, what's happened?Experts have revealed that the decline comes down to a combination of factors, from overwhelming physical and mental needs to health concerns, fewer breeders and, rather simply, changing tastes among dog owners.Cross-breeds such as cockapoos, labradoodles, and the more recent pugapoo – a pug and poodle mix – have seen their popularity soar, with Pets4Homes highlighting the hybrids now make up roughly 35 per cent of all puppies sold in the UK.In many cases, the choice is purely by design, with Iryna Smyrnova, veterinarian at MeoWoff, telling the Daily Mail that many owners are now looking for dogs that are easier to care for and better suited to smaller homes or busy lifestyles.Dr Linda Simon, resident vet at Pooch & Mutt, added: 'These dogs tick a lot of the boxes that the traditional British dogs won't – low shedding, low exercise needs, and they won't always need a garden or lots of outdoor time.'For classic canines like poodles, Dalmatians, Border Collies and greyhounds, this could spell bad news. Poodles, Dalmatians (pictured) and greyhounds, among others, were once hard to miss on the daily commute or a walk to the local shops, but fast-forward a decade or two, and some of these once-popular breeds are rarely spottedIt comes as new data from The Kennel Club reveals that Britons are falling out of love with purebred dogs in favour of trendy crossbreeds.The organisation, which recently analysed more than 11 million dog registrations, found that the number of pedigree dogs in Britain has fallen by around 0.9 per cent every year since 1990.The research found that registrations for dozens of pedigree breeds have dropped sharply since 2010, led by the long-haired Pyrenean sheepdog, down 16.89 per cent, and the Yorkshire terrier, down 16.34 per cent.Several other breeds that were once a familiar sight on British streets have also seen their numbers slide.The proportional population of greyhounds fell by 16.35 per cent between 2010 and 2021, while Dalmatians dropped by 1.42 per cent.Border Collies, traditionally used by farmers for their sharp intelligence and herding skills, fell by 2.78 per cent, while bloodhound numbers declined by 5.82 per cent.And then there are poodles. The elegant, curly-coated breed experienced peak popularity in the 1990s, but according to Pets4Homes, standard poodle registrations have gradually declined since their peak, while miniature and toy poodles have fared somewhat better. Poodles, an elegant, curly-coated breed, experienced peak popularity in the 1990s, but according to Pets4Homes, standard poodle registrations have gradually declined since their peak, while miniature and toy poodles have fared somewhat better