American Kennel Club: Bulldog Joins Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds
The American Kennel Club reports that the the Bulldog has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization's annual list of the most popular breeds in America. The AKC's data come from 2007 AKC registration figures. The Labrador Retriever retains the title of "Top Dog" -- a position it has now held for 17 consecutive years.
"This is the first time the Bulldog has made it onto the top ten list since 1935," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "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. The Bulldog is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It's an excellent all-around family pet."
2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
Labrador Retriever
Yorkshire Terrier
German Shepherd Dog
Golden Retriever
Beagle
Boxer
Dachshund
Poodle
Shih Tzu
Bulldog
The AKC also noted that the bulldog is often used in Internet scams - the Better Business Bureau has also recently issued a warning about Internet scams using photos of Bulldog puppies to lure in victims. In these scams people posing as breeders place online classified ads offering free or cheap puppies. The fake breeder then asks interested parties to send them shipping fees. Once the scammer gets the fees they dissapear.
"This is certainly not the only scam to be aware of, but it is a common one," says Peterson. "Because of the emotional investment, consumers are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of when it comes to a cute, cuddly puppy than with any other purchase. Not only is it important to find the breed that's right for your lifestyle, it's just as important to take those extra steps and find a responsible breeder. A great resource is www.puppybuyerinfo.com."
The AKC also mentioned some recent pet trends.
The Miniature Schnauzer was bumped off the Top 10 list in 2007 to make room for the Bulldog.
The Yorkshire Terrier held steady in 2nd place, after making news last year by displacing the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.
The Havanese, a small dog with a coat type that is a good choice for people with allergies, has enjoyed the greatest surge in popularity since 1997, increasing 994%. It now ranks as the 37th most popular breed.
Other small dogs (under 20 lbs.) that have gained popularity in the past decade include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (+406%), the French Bulldog (+404%) and the Brussels Griffon (+157%).
Large dogs with notable increases are two Swiss breeds -- the Bernese Mountain Dog (+74%) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (+127%) -- as well as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (+130%).
Breeds on the decline include the Rottweiler (-81%) and the Dalmatian (-96%). Many breeds of Asian origins are also waning in popularity: Chow Chows (-84%), Pekingese (-79%), Akitas (-76%), Lhasa Apso (-75%), Chinese Shar-Pei (-73%) and Shiba Inu (-38%).
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