2006 Most Popular Dogs in the USA According to the AKC
According to figures released today by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Yorkshire Terrier (also known as the Yorkie) has overpowered the Goldern Retriever to take the second spot in their list of the most popular dogs in the United States during 2006. According to AKC registration figures, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in the United States. The lab has held this top spot on the list since 1991.
Here’s the AKC’s list of the 2006 Most Popular Dogs in the United States:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Dachshund
7. Boxer
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzer
The AKC says that despite the prevalence of the Yorkie and the increased popularity of other small breeds, the Top 10 once again includes four large breeds all known for their intelligence, versatility and ability to be a loving family companion — the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever and Boxer. The German Shepherd Dog rose in popularity to third in 2006.
The AKC also looked at the Top 10 breeds in the nation’s 50 largest cities. To find your city visit http://www.akc.org/reg/topdogsbycity.cfm. Here’s some of their key findings:
- Among major U.S. cities, the Bulldog makes the Top 10 in 27 cities, followed by the Pug in 22 cities, the Rottweiler in 15 cities, the Chihuahua in 14 cities and the Pomeranian in eight cities.
- Other breeds that made multiple appearances on the local lists but were not in the national Top 10 include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer, Shetland Sheepdog, Maltese, English Springer Spaniel and the Boston Terrier.
- Knoxville is the only major city in America with the same Top 10 breeds as the national list.
- Milwaukee is the only city that does not include the popular Yorkshire Terrier on its local Top 10 list.
AKC registration statistics are compiled from Jan. 1- December 31 of the previous year. In 2006, AKC registered 153 different breeds.