Who's Number One?

Gotta Love those Labs!

Black Lab Buxton (credit: Lab Rescue -
Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac)

Again this year, Labs* are America’s favorite dogs, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC)**, as they have been for 25 years!

Following in the lovely and lovable lab’s (black, yellow or chocolate) paw prints this year are the GSD, the Golden, the Bulldog and, in fifth place, the Beagle who has been in the top ten most of the time since the AKC started keeping records in the 30s (the Beagle has also won Westminster twice in the past few years – 2015 and 2008).

Yorkies, Poodles, Boxers, Frenchies and Rotties, in that order, make up the remainder of the Canine Top Ten.

Over the Years

Historically, Cockers took the top prize beginning in the 1930s, then the Snoopy dog, the Beagle, took over in the 50s. Poodles were the top dogs of the 60s and 70s and, in the 80s, Poodles retook the top spot.

Doxies fell off the list this year. Guess they were just too short!

Next year, watch out for GSPs, Havanese, Malinois, Wheaties, Shibas, Border Collies and Viszlas!

*In plain English: 

            1. Labrador Retrievers

            2. German Shepherd Dogs

            3. Golden Retrievers

            4. Bulldogs

            5. Beagles

            6. Yorkshire Terriers

            7. Poodles

            8. Boxers       

            9. French Bulldogs

            10. Rottweilers

            11. Dachshunds

German Shorthaired Pointers, Belgian Malinois, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Shiba Inus

**Each year, the AKC releases the numbers of purebred dogs by breed

Read more about it here.