Information on the Top 10 Dog Breeds

Labrador retrievers have ranked No. 1 among dog registrations in America since 2000, according to the American Kennel Club. The popularity of this dog stems from its willingness to get along with everyone it meets, from cats to kids to other dogs, as well as its playful temperament, relative overall health and short fur, making it practically maintenance free. From 2004 to 2010, German shepherds moved from the No. 4 spot to the No. 2 spot, and Yorkshire terriers, beagles, golden retrievers, bulldogs, boxers and poodles weren't far behind.

  1. Labs, Shepherds and Yorkies

    • "Yorkies' are in the same group as the bull terrier.

      Labrador retrievers come in yellow, chocolate and black. They are a medium-sized dog with short fur, a kindly, outgoing nature and deep brown eyes. Aggressiveness, according to the AKC, is never tolerated. This may explain why it has consistently held the No. 1 spot for the most popular dog in America for so long. Second in popularity is the German shepherd. Known to breed enthusiasts as "GSDs," these dogs are strong, well-muscled and agile. They come in all colors, with black and tan the most recognized. White shepherds are disqualified from show rings. The Yorkshire terrier, with its tiny body, long, luxurious coat and adaptability comes in at No. 3.

    Beagles, Goldens and Bullies

    • Golden retrievers have always ranked high in popularity among Americans.

      Perhaps the beloved icon Snoopy from Peanuts Gang has had something to do with the popularity of the beagle. Coming in at No. 4 in 2011, the beagle is a member of the hound family and comes in two height varieties: the 13 inch and the 15 inch. Their colors are tri-colored, lemon, red and white. At No. 5, the golden retriever was the No. 2 dog for many years. The golden has a friendly and reliable temperament; a long, golden coat; and strong, broad skull. The bulldog, formerly known as the English bulldog, is the sixth most popular dog and, though the American Kennel Club considers them to be excellent family pets, they are nonetheless high-maintenance dogs because of certain genetic defects including a small trachea, severe allergies, a propensity toward dermatitis and demodetic mange, hip dysplasia and heart problems.

    Boxers, Doxies and Poodles

    • Poodles come in three AKC recognized sizes: teacup, miniature and standard.

      The Boxer, No. 7 in the list of most popular breeds, got its name because of the dog's propensity to stand on its hind legs and use its front legs and paws when fighting with other dogs. It was bred to fight and hunt wild boar and bison. Dachshunds, No. 8, are also called "hot dogs' or "wiener dogs' or just "doxies" to breed aficionados. Poodles, a highly intelligent dog with a protective personality and playful nature, are considered hypo-allergenic dogs, good for people who have allergies to other dogs.

    Shih Tzus and Rotties

    • Rottweilers do not take kindly to strangers until they have been properly introduced.

      Shih Tzus, No. 10 on the list as of 2011, hail from Tibet and are members of the toy group. These dogs are lively, alert and friendly, and make excellent companion animals. According to the AKC breed description, the shih tzu has an "arrogant carriage" to its head. The Rottweiler, though not among the top 10 most popular breeds in 2011, consistently ranked in the top 10 list in years past. With its powerful and robust body, the Rotti is happiest when given a job to do.