The American Kennel Club has announced their list of breed registrations from 2013. Although many owners don’t choose to register their dogs, the number of registrations received for each breed is considered an indication of the popularity of the breed. Of course, there are undoubtedly many more mutt-i-grees than purebred dogs in the world, but this list includes only those dogs who carry an actual pedigree.
So, without further ado, here are the results:
10. Dachshund
9. Rottweiler
8. Poodle
7. Boxer
6. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Bulldog
4. Beagle
3. Golden Retriever
2. German Shepherd
1. Labrador Retriever The intelligent, family-friendly breed has taken the #1 spot on the most popular list for the 23rd consecutive year, the longest reign at the top in AKC history.
As you can see, seven of the top ten are larger dogs. “Owning bigger breeds – an economic indicator of sorts – have been on the rise during the past five years,” said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “As the economy has improved, people are turning back to the big dogs they love, which cost more to feed and care for than the smaller breeds that saw a rise in popularity in 2007 and 2008.”
Honorable mention goes to the French Bulldog, which has seen a sharp rise in popularity over the past decade, showing a 323% increase in registrations since 2003. The affectionate, easy to care for Frenchie rose three spots this year to number 11, its highest position since the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1898. French Bulldogs are known to be loveable lap warmers and are easily adaptable to city or suburban living due to their easily groomed coats and minimal exercise requirements.
You can see the whole list here and check on your favorite breeds’ historical rankings over the past ten years.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!