Have you ever wondered what is the most popular dog in the United States? Well, the American Kennel Club is keeping up with this sort of thing and has released their list of the most popular dogs of 2013. Here’s some of what they have to tell us.
The Labrador retriever has retained its place as the number one dog in America for the 23rd consecutive year. Yes, it seems the Labrador is America’s favorite dog and has held this top position longer than any other dog in AKC history.
It seems that since the economy has improved, the larger breeds have become more popular. In fact, owning a larger breed dog has become something of an economic gauge for the past five years.
Here is a list of the most popular dogs in the US for 2013 according to the AKC
1. Labrador Retrievers
2. german shepherd
3. golden retriever
4.Beagle
5 bulldogs
6. Yorkshire terrier
7. boxer
8. poodle
9. Rottweiler
10. Dachshund
Actually, in my dog training business, I see that some of these breeds are very popular, especially Labradors, Goldens, and Yorkshire Terriers, the favorites of the ladies.
However, I think if you were to look at all dogs and not just AKC registered ones, I think you would find a huge increase in strays. Yes, in the last 10 years I have seen a huge increase in the number of mixed breed dogs being adopted and of course that is a good thing.
This trend shows that American families are willing to adopt the shelter dog rather than go shopping for a new registered dog. There is no reason why a mixed breed dog can’t be as good a companion as a purebred dog. In fact, I’ve heard from some vets that mixed breed dogs seem to be healthier and don’t have all the genetic problems of some of the pure breeds.
Another big trend I’m seeing is the designer dog. You’ve seen them on TV on some of today’s reality shows. I am seeing these tiny hybrid dogs as pets more and more, especially for the ladies.
Another great trend is with Labradoodle’s and Goldendoodle’s. The fact that they come in various sizes, different colors, and are hypoallergenic makes them an attractive dog for American families, especially a family that has allergy issues.
If your dog didn’t make the top 10 list, no problem, that doesn’t mean he won’t be a great companion for you and your family.
