Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds

Knowing all of the minute details of each type of dog breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) may not be number one on your great list of to-do’s. In fact, only a small percentage of experts in the country can spout off the intricacies of each breed. After all, the AKC recognizes over 150 breeds of dogs, each boasting unique and exceptional qualities. Of them all, an average person might recognize ten percent, a dog-lover could identify as many as a quarter. But the simple fact is that not many Americans are presented with too wide a variety of dog breeds in their lifetimes. While dogs are growing in popularity as an American pet, the variety of dog breeds which we welcome as popular has not changed much in the past ten years.

The AKC separates recognized dog breeds into seven categories, or groupings: Sporting, Herding, Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non-sporting. Of these, the most popular dog breeds in America consistently hail from the Sporting group. These include the setters, spaniels, pointers, and retrievers. Specifically, the Labrador and Golden Retrievers were the most popular registered dogs in the majority of states in 2005. Their combination of agility, intelligence, and unusually friendly demeanor help them maintain their status.

Dog breeds from the Toy Group are also starting to dominate American homes. In fact, eight of the most popular registered dog breeds in the United States in 2005 come from this group, including the Yorkshire terrier, poodle, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahua. The small size and playful nature of these dogs make them ideal for living in a big city. Surprisingly, poodles are now the most popular dog breed registered in New York City.

The Working Group also includes some popular dog breeds like the Boxer, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, and Siberian Husky. These dogs tend to be more popular outside of cities, as their nature requires a great deal of training and they are not as naturally friendly or easy to control as some of the other dog groups.

One of the most popular dog breeds in the country is the German Shepherd Dog, a member of the Herding Group. These dogs are large and powerful but also extremely loyal and protective.

The last two groups with the least number of dog breeds on the published list are the Terrier Group and the Hound Group. The Miniature Schnauzer, a member of the Terrier group, is growing in popularity in different regions around the country along with the loud beagle and slow dachshund, of the Hound group. These breeds can be found in the top ten list of registered dog breeds in America. Below is the most recent list of the ten most popular registered dog breeds released by the AKC. For the complete listing, see www.akc.org.

10. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu are a popular breed of toy dogs known for their small size and long, wiry exterior fur. Shih Tzu fair well in grooming contests, since they are naturally attractive and easy to groom.

9. Poodle

At number 9, we have the poodle– cute, elegant, and extremely active. Standard poodles are obedient and respond well to training. The poodle breed comes in various sizes namely standard, toy, and miniature. The ones you see with trimmed fur and stylish collars and hair pieces are what we call toy poodles.

8. Dachshund

Often called weiner dogs, sausage dogs and even hot-dogs, dachshunds are known for their drooping ears, short-legs and long bodies. They have a great sense of smell, making them ideal for sports and hunting, but they can be very stubborn and difficult to train. It takes a truly patient person to bond well with dachshunds.

7. Boxer

Boxers are known for their stocky build, short fur, and medium-sized build. They have powerful jaws, quick legs and energetic temperament. They are ideal for sporting and hunting but also make great companions.

6. Bulldogs

Bulldogs are known for their flat face (or brachycephalic features), strong jaws and muscular body. Their appearance alone can thwart off invaders, making them ideal guard dogs. Bulldogs are just one of a few dog breeds that can withstand living in small areas and do not require much exercise compared to other large-bodied dog breeds.

5. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever’s large build makes them ideal for rescue work, just like German Shepherds; however, they tend to be very playful and gentle by nature, making them ideal family pets. Today, Golden Retrievers are often trained to help people with seeing and hearing disabilities.

4. Beagle

Snoopy has often been regarded as the world’s most popular beagle, but even without a famous representative, beagles have long been known for their mild temper, short-stocky build and intelligent disposition.

3. Yorkshire Terrier

Believe it or not, Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to catch rats in factories; however, their small frames and love for companionship has made them ideal pets for families with children.

2. German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd breed is pretty young; they were originally bred as working dogs in Germany in 1899; however, their intelligence, obedience and mild temper has made them so popular, you can find German Shepherds in rescue units, the army, and even as guide dogs for people with disabilities.

1. Labrador Retriever

It’s not surprising to see Labrador Retrievers take the 1st spot in this list; after all, retrievers were designed for sports, hunting, and companionship. Labrador Retrievers are often trained to be assistance dogs, but they have also found their special place in police units and in the military.

Labrador Retrievers have also been topping the list of the most registered breeds in America for over 10 years.