Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2014

Photo Credit: American Kennel Club

UPDATED: The American Kennel Club announced on Thursday the 10 most popular dog list, and the Labrador Retriever remains the top dog for the 24th consecutive year, the longest reign in the club’s history.

“We see a ton of Labs and Goldens,” said Veterinarian Doug DePiero, who owns Northeast Animal Hospital in downtown Peabody. “And we do see a lot of bulldogs.”

The Bulldog crept up the list, landing this year at number four for the first time – its highest ranking in breed history.

According to the American Kennel Club, the Bulldog is a gentle breed that makes an excellent family companion with a natural tendency to form strong bonds with kids, an easy-to-care-for coat and minimal exercise needs.

Meanwhile, the French Bulldog broke into the top 10 for the first time in nearly 100 years this year at number nine. The Dachshund was knocked out of the top 10 this year for the first time since 1985, landing at number 11.

The one dog Dr. DePiero thought might be higher on the list was the Boxer breed.

“Unfortunately, boxers have a lot of medical issues,” Dr. DePiero said.

2014 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Golden Retriever

4. Bulldog

5. Beagle

6. Yorkshire Terrier

7. Poodle

8. Boxer

9. French Bulldog

10. Rottweiler

Dr. DePiero said he was surprised to see Rottweiler’s on the top 10 list.

“I think their popularity has diminished over the years,” he said. “And I don’t see as many German Shepherds around here, they do a lot of barking. Maybe they would be more popular in the western part of the state.

The veterinarian said he could easily see why poodles, and poodle-mixes, are extremely popular.

“They’re non-shedding dogs,” Dr. DePiero said. “They make good pets.”

The staff at Northeast Animal Hospital also sees a lot of Beagles.

“And Yorkies,” Dr. Piero said. “They’re a pretty good apartment dog.”

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon made huge strides over the past decade, jumping 38 spots from 112th in 2004 to 74th in 2014. Other breeds making double-digit gains over the past decade include the Havanese (from 52nd in 2004 to 25th in 2014), the Border Collie (from 60th in 2004 to 39th in 2014), the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (from 118th in 2004 to 96th in 2014), and the Black and Tan Coonhound (from 140th in 2004 to 120th in 2014).

The New York-based American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the U.S.

Source: American Kennel Club

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