Is your dog in the Top 10?
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 09:34 a.m., January 17, 2008
Updated 05:38 a.m., January 18, 2008
Howl victory, bulldog owners!
Your jowly pooches muscled their way into the Top 10 most popular American breeds for the first time in 72 years, according to 2007 registration tallies by the American Kennel Club.
Be kind around growling miniature schnauzer owners, whose pet companions were bounced from the No. 10 spot by bulldogs. Just remind them that mini schnauzers still claim Top Dog status in Oklahoma City, where it ranks third — higher than in any other U.S. city.
Denver miniature schnauzer owners can hold their heads high: Their dogs ranked 10th most popular among Mile High City purebreds — up from 15th in 2006.
AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson noted that the bulldog, long popular as sports team mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs, "is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It's an excellent all-around family pet.
"This breed appeals to a very wide range of dog lovers, so it's no surprise that it is a favorite amongst AKC's 157 breeds," she said.
Let's hope those Labrador retrievers out there aren't getting a swollen noggins.
The Lab owns the "Top Dog" title — ranked No. 1 most popular breed for 17 straight years.
As for Denver Top Dogs, the Labrador retriever ranked No. 1, followed by the golden retriever, German shepherd and the bulldog.
"The Mile High City has elevated the bulldog to fourth place," Peterson said.
"But despite its love of this iconic breed, overall, Denver residents seem to prefer large, sporty dogs such as the Labrador retriever, the German shepherd and German shorthaired pointer. Other large breeds making a strong showing include the Bernese mountain dog at 13th and the rottweiler in 12th place," she added.
Some Denver dog people are walking some of the rarest breeds, including the Finnish spitz, komondor and the pharaoh hound, AKC registrations show.
The full lists:
2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador retriever
2. Yorkshire terrier
3. German shepherd
4. Golden retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog
2007 DENVER TOP DOGS
1. Labrador retriever
2. Golden retriever
3. German shepherd
4. Bulldog
5. Boxer
6. Dachshund
7. German shorthaired pointer
8. Yorkshire terrier
9. Poodle
10. Miniature schnauzer
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January 17, 2008
12:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
elaineb writes:
Poodle? YUCK!
January 17, 2008
1:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Esthere writes:
Labs Bah!
January 17, 2008
1:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
I've never registered my dogs
January 17, 2008
4:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
JustSayin writes:
Hell, I've never licensed mine.
January 17, 2008
4:41 p.m.
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McBangus writes:
Hooray for German Shepherds!! :)
January 17, 2008
4:52 p.m.
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PMSXpress writes:
Elaine, I thought the same thing about poodles, but that breed kicks butt at the agility and obedience trials.
January 17, 2008
5:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
snowbelly writes:
every other dog is some husky mix yet not in the top ten? go huskies
January 18, 2008
2:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
kerrik9 writes:
Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die.