The wire fox terrier, a breed of dog made popular by Snowy in Hergé’s classic “Tintin” series of graphic novels, is experiencing a sharp decline in numbers across the United Kingdom – so much so that one expert warns of possible extinction.

According to the American Kennel Club, the wire fox terrier we know and love today first “took shape in the late 1700s, during the heyday of British fox hunts,” as a hunting dog. Today, however, the terrier is considered a “master show dog” as well as a “delightful” pet for a family. Generally weighing in around 16 to 18 pounds, the wire fox terrier is athletic, smart and loving. The dogs tend to live as long as 12 to 15 years and have been known to add a lot of personality to the home.