Despite being one of Scotland's oldest breeds, Gordon Setters are now officially at risk of extinction.

The hunting dog has been added to the Kennel Club's 'at risk' list after just over 170 were registered in 2018 - which is down 60% over the last six years.

Although the Gordon Setter is considered one of Britain's oldest native breeds, its popularity continues to plummet sparking fears for its future.

Angus Gordon Lennox's ancestors first bred the hunting dogs during the 18th century at Gordon Castle, Moray.

He has launched a campaign to save them by inviting breed owners and their dogs to the Gordon Castle Highland Games next month.

He said: "They are just incredibly friendly, wonderfully single- minded and incredibly loving to their owners.

"They are one-people dogs or tend to be.

"We hope that by arranging a gathering during our games we can educate visitors about this fantastic breed and inspire them to own one in the future.

"We must all work together to keep our native breeds thriving for centuries to come.

"This is the Gordon Setter's home and it would be sad if we didn't get them up and running again from their original home.

"We still have the original kennels the dogs were bred in on the estate."

Breed enthusiasts Christine Chadwick and Grant Buchanan both feel people are now looking for smaller dogs and have forgotten the breed exists.

"I think people like smaller dogs they can put on their knees and pet them," explains Christine and Grant.

"It's purely down to social media and the toy breeds.

"Folk are not interested in large dogs or a dog they perceive is going to be more difficult to look after.

"They want something more like a hand bag toy."

The largest ever gathering of Gordon Setters will take place on May 19 in an attempt to save the breed, once Scotland's most popular dog, but now at risk of disappearing altogether.