All dog breeds can make loving and great family companions, that’s for sure. But which ones are America’s favorites?
According to the registration numbers of the AKC (American Kennel Club), the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the U.S. Approximately 149,692 Labrador Retrievers are living in American households. I guess it’s the friendly and mostly happy-go-lucky temperament of the Labrador which makes him so popular; I have rarely met an aggressive or socially awkward Labrador to date. German Shepherds seem to be very popular too, taking 2nd place as guard dogs with their protective attributes, a very loving and smart breed.
Here is America’s top 20 list:
- Labrador Retrievers
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Golden Retrievers
- Bulldogs
- Boxers
- Dachshunds
- Poodles
- Shih Tzu
- Rottweilers
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Chihuahuas
- Doberman Pinschers
- Pomeranians
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Great Danes
- Siberian Huskies
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Boston Terriers
- French Bulldogs
Here are some interesting news items from the American Kennel Club (Source: http://www.akc.org/):
The most popular breeds with the biggest increase in rankings over the past year include the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the smooth Fox Terrier. The French Bulldog made the largest leap in the past decade, jumping 50 places from 71st to 21st. Other breeds with the biggest increase in rankings over the last decade include the Havanese and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Closing the gap this year, a couple of breeds that had been on the decline over the past decade made double digit increases over the past year – Keeshonden and Anatolian Shepherd Dogs. Bully Breeds have been steadly increasing over the past decade, including the Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
A trend toward larger breeds is seen with the rise of the Great Dane (from 28th to 17th), Mastiff (from 39th to 28th), Newfoundland (from 53rd to 44th), Bernese Mountain Dog (from 58th to 39th) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (from 104th to 88th). We also welcome 3 new breeds entered AKC’s registry in 2010. The – Leonberger – Cane Corso – Icelandic Sheepdog.
If you are ready to bring a dog in your life, please don’t make your choice by the upcoming trend or just the look of a dog. Consider some factors first: energy level, size of the dog, temperament. Compare them with your own energy and lifestyle – and know that dogs are social animals with various personalities. It’s important to get informed and well prepared before deciding for a special breed. Visit dog shows and talk to breeders, if you are not sure about a particular breed. We believe there is no “problem breed” and we don’t want to generalize any breed. If a dog gets proper training, exercise and adequate leadership by its humans, every dog can be a lifetime friend and fun family member.
Quote: “The breed is just the outfit that particular canine is wearing, and sometimes a set of special needs he or she might have. You’re not going to be able to understand or control your dog’s behavior by considering him or her simply as a ‘victim’ of a breed”.
“As a general rule, the more purebred the dog, the more intense the desire it will have to fulfill its genetic purpose. Therefore, it will require more focus and attention from you in making sure that those breed-related needs are constantly challenged and fulfilled.”- Cesar Millan.”
We at PackPeople urge everyone with a preference for a purebred dog to remember that shelters and rescues are temporary homes to more purebred dogs than people realize. Do your online research to find what you are looking for – think dog adoption first!
Please think about dog adoption first!