Bulldog Muscles Its
Way Into AKC's List Of Top 10 Most Popular Dogs
Bulldog Muscles Its Way Into AKC's List Of Top 10 Most Popular Dogs In
America
[Wednesday, January 16, 2008]
- Bulldog Makes the List for First Time in Nearly 75 Years; Labrador Retriever
Continues to Fetch Top Spot -
- AKC Appears on NBC Today Show
to Announce 2007 Registration Statistics -
New York, NY – Today the American Kennel Club® announced that the Bulldog, a
popular sports team mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred
dogs, has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization’s annual list
of the most popular breeds in America according to
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.”
The Bulldog was first recognized by the AKC in 1886 – just two years after the
organization’s founding – and was most popular in 1915* when it peaked in 5th
place. The breed’s popularity ebbed and flowed throughout the mid-20th century,
but since hitting a low of 41st place in 1973, its ranking has steadily
increased.
2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador
Retriever
2. Yorkshire
Terrier
3. German
Shepherd Dog
4. Golden
Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog
FRAUDULENT FIDOS
Unfortunately the Bulldog’s popularity – and irresistible appearance as a puppy
– is often taken advantage of. Earlier this year the AKC and the Better
Business Bureau
issued a warning about Internet scams that often used photos of Bulldog
puppies to lure in victims. Commonly, the scammer —posing as a breeder— places
an ad offering a free or inexpensive puppy and then requests via email that
shipping fees be wired. After the money is sent, the dog never arrives and the
scammer is never heard from again.
“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.”
PET PREFERENCES: TOP 50 CITIES
The AKC looked at the Top 10 breeds in the nation’s
50 largest cities. Some
highlights:
The Bulldog is most popular in Los Angeles where is it currently ranked 2nd
right after the Lab.
Despite having one of the world’s most beloved and renowned Bulldogs as the
mascot for its state college sports team – University of Georgia’s “Uga,” –
Atlanta is one of the few cities in the nation that did not include the Bulldog
in its Top 10.
The Poodle and Dachshund, who each once enjoyed the top spot in Manhattan (2006,
2005 for the Poodle and 2004 for the Dachshund) now share a tie for 3rd place,
ousted by America’s top choice, the Labrador Retriever.
Detroit, Knoxville, Miami, Honolulu and Orlando are the only cities that do not
have the Labrador Retriever in the top spot. Detroit and Miami favor the German
Shepherd, Orlando puts the Yorkie in 1st place, Honolulu the Golden Retriever
and Knoxville the Boxer.
Salt Lake City is the only city to place the Shih Tzu in one of its top two
spots. It moved from 3rd in 2006 to 2nd in 2007.
The only cities to not have the Yorkie on their lists are Buffalo, Milwaukee and
Des Moines. And, Des Moines had the most unique list of all 50 cities,
considering that it shared only four dogs with the national Top 10.
The Miniature Schnauzer, which was displaced on the national list this year by
the Bulldog, still claims top dog status in Oklahoma City where it ranks 3rd,
higher than in any other U.S. city.
San Francisco and Los Angeles were the only cities in the nation to include the
French Bulldog in their Top 10 lists.
PET PREFERENCES: 1997– 2007
Some of the most notable recent trends include:
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%).
PET PREFERENCES: 1915 – TODAY
The AKC has maintained registration statistics of AKC recognized breeds for
nearly a century. Some highlights:
The Beagle is the only breed that has consistently been included in the Top 10
list since 1915. It reigned as the most popular breed from 1954 to 1959.
Poodles enjoyed a long reign as the most popular dog for 23 years (1960–1982),
the longest any breed has held that position consecutively.
Cocker Spaniels ranked number one from 1936-1953 (replaced by the Beagle in
1954). Cocker Spaniels made a comeback and were number one again from
1983-1990, making them the dog with the longest total reign in the top spot at
25 years.
The Toy group has been steadily on the rise since the 1970’s, when it made up
only 12% of the registry versus 23% today.
The Working group peaked in the 1990’s at 17%, most notably due to the
Rottweiler being in the Top 10 at that time, including several years in 2nd
place.
Dog lovers can see and learn more about all of their favorite breeds on
Saturday, February 2 when the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship — where country’s top dogs compete for
$225,000 in prize money and the title of “National Champion” — airs on Animal
Planet from 8-11pm.
*First year AKC Registration Data was captured.
For more information about the AKC Gazette and other AKC publications please
visit:
http://www.akc.org/pubs/index.cfm.
Televised AKC Events
2008
AKC Eukanuba National Championship
PREMIERE - Saturday, Feb 2, 2008 - 8PM-11PM and 11PM to 2AM
Sunday, February 3, noon to 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 7, 8 p.m. to11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday, February 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 17, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 23, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
AKC Agility Invitational
PREMIERE - Sunday , Feb 10, 2008 8PM
Repeat airings on:
2/10 at 11:00 pm EST
2/13 at 8:00 pm EST
2/13 at 11:00 pm EST
All airings of the AKC Eukanuba National Championship and the AKC Agility
Invitational are EST on Animal Planet.
Westminster Kennel Club
PREMIERE / Night 1 - Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (8-9 PM Live ET / 8-9 PM PT)
on USA Network
Continuing Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (9-11 PM Live ET / 9-11 PM PT) on CNBC
PREMIERE / Night 2 - Live Telecast: Tuesday, Feb 12 (8-11 PM Live ET / 8-11 PM
PT) on USA Network
Repeat airing of Night 1 on 2/12 at 11:00 am EST on USA Network
Repeat airing of Night 2 on 2/13 at 11:00 am EST on USA Network
Airtimes are subject to change. Please check your local listings for most
current show times.
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