All breeds have their strong points, and all dogs are individuals, but some breeds are more sought after than others.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), which exists in part to keep track of these sorts of things, publishes an annual ranking of the most popular of their nearly two hundred recognized breeds.
Going by the most recent stats available, for 2017, we’ve got a primer on each of the top ten most popular dogs in the United States.
No. 10 – The German Shorthaired Pointer
The GSP is an athletic, friendly and eager to please medium-large dog typically used for hunting purposes, and occasionally featured in literature. They’re a pretty healthy breed, but they do shed almost constantly.
No.. 9 – The Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies have a reputation as a prissy and overly yappy breed, but they make great companions. They live extremely long lives for dogs, and they would shine in shampoo commercials with their silky, sleek coats. They don’t shed very often, either, which is a good thing if you or someone in your household has dog allergies.
No. 8 – The Rottweiler
Rottweilers have a pretty terrible reputation, but these strong and stocky dogs can be great family pets – if they are well-trained. If not….they could be terrifying. They also sometimes are used in novels and movies.
No. 7 – The Poodle
Poodles are often underestimated due to their ridiculous haircuts, but they’re one of the smartest canines out there. Their coat is hypoallergenic, making them a good breed for those with allergies. Another plus? They also have long lifespans, up to 18 years.
No. 6 – The Beagle
Who doesn’t love Beagles? They’re loyal companions, excellent watchdogs, and can be good hunting dogs, if you’re interested in that kind of thing. Besides, Snoopy is one of their number, and they’re just so doggone photogenic!
No. 5 – The Bulldog
Bulldogs are one of the classic school mascots, often depicted as fierce due to their origins as bullfighters, but they’re generally good-natured and get along well with children and other dogs.
No. 4 – The French Bulldog
A separate breed distinct from traditional English cousins, Frenchies are quite a bit smaller and more playful. They look kind of similar to Pugs, and have trouble regulating their temperature due to their thin coats.
No. 3 – The Golden Retriever
Goldens are the supermodels of the canine world, but everyone loves them anyway. They do well when filmed or in PR roles, and they’re athletic and could do equally well as hunting companions or family pets. They’re most people’s dream dog for good reason.
No. 2 – The German Shepherd
German Shepherds, also known as Alsatians, aren’t actually used in shepherding very often any more, but they excel in a variety of working roles, especially as police or military dogs. The most famous Hollywood, Rin Tin Tin, was a German Shepherd.
No. 1 – The Labrador Retriever
The most popular breed for the past five years in a row is the Lab, because they’re basically perfect at anything you might ask of a dog – they’re friendly, loyal, athletic and smart, and can be protective of their people if the need arises.
They make fantastic service dogs or guide dogs. Besides, they’re just so cute, whether their coat color is black, chocolate or yellow.
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