Top Five Dog Breeds in America

Do You Know the Most Popular AKC Dog Breed in America?

               We are a nation of dog lovers for sure.  But some dog breeds are more popular than others.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with a mixed breed like those in the photo (those are my guys, Frankie and Marty!) and they are quite popular in their own right, but read on for the top five purebred dogs in the United States!

Number 5—The Beagle.  Beagles are compact, energetic and friendly dogs.  Bred with an amazing sense of smell and used for hunting rabbits, they are members of the hound group which would be perfectly obvious to anyone who has ever heard a beagle bay!  Their round brown eyes have a soulful expression and they are relatively healthy and easy to care for and easy to love.  

Number 4—The English Bulldog.  “Bullies” are also a short, compact breed, but they are actually rather large dogs weighing 50-60 pounds.  Bulldogs are intelligent dogs but are known to have a stubborn streak.  They can be plagued with some health problems such as breathing issues, skin allergies and eye problems.  But their adorable wrinkles and comical personalities make them a lot of fun to own!

Number 3—The Golden Retriever.  Golden retrievers are members of the sporting group.  The smart and versatile Golden excels at hunting, as a guide dog and, of course, just as a loyal and friendly pet.  Golden retrievers do need lots of exercise to thrive.  They are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia and certain types of cancer, especially lymphoma.  They are an easy going and happy breed who only want to please their owners. 

Number 2—The German Shepherd.  German Shepherds have been a recognized breed since 1908.  These dogs are smart and built to work.  They are probably best recognized as police dogs, Seeing Eye and service dogs and guard dogs but they are actually members of the herding group.  These stately dogs are fiercely loyal to their owners, but may be aloof with strangers.  They are one of the most beautiful and recognizable breeds of dog.

And—drumroll please--the number one breed in the United States is…The Labrador Retriever!  The spirited Lab is an outgoing, active breed.  They come in three recognized colors—black, chocolate and yellow--and they make lovely pets.  Often used for hunting, as guide dogs and on search-and-rescue teams, they are agreeable, highly trainable and relatively healthy dogs though they love to eat and can become overweight.  Their waterproof coats and webbed feet make them natural swimmers and they are popular contenders in “Dock Dog” competitions.  It’s easy to see why the energetic Labrador comes in at number one!

Though my terriers are not in the top five, they are happy, feisty and high energy dogs who love to run and play but can also be cuddly and loveable.   No matter what breed you own, our dogs give us much love and joy and each breed has its own special traits and quirks.  We love them all! 

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding areas.