January is my favorite time of year because it’s when the American Kennel Club announces its “Top Ten” breeds for the previous year.

And it’s very exciting because this year, the bulldog, a popular sports team mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs, has muscled its way into the tenth 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. This breed appeals to a very wide range of dog lovers so it’s no surprise that it is a favorite among 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 fifth 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 US

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. 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: 1997– 2007

Some of the most notable recent trends include:

The miniature schnauzer was bumped off the Top Ten list in 2007 to make room for the bulldog.

The Yorkshire terrier held steady in second 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 percent. It now ranks as the 37th most popular breed.

Other small dogs (under 20 pounds) that have gained popularity in the past decade include the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (+406 percent), the French bulldog (+404 percent) and the Brussels griffon (+157 percent).

Large dogs with notable increases are two Swiss breeds — the Bernese mountain dog (+74 percent) and the greater Swiss mountain dog (+127 percent) — as well as the wirehaired pointing griffon (+130 percent).

Breeds on the decline include the Rottweiler (-81 percent) and the Dalmatian (-96 percent). Many breeds of Asian origins are also waning in popularity: Chow Chows (-84 percent), Pekingese (-79 percent), Akitas (-76 percent), Lhasa Apso (-75 percent), Chinese Shar-Pei (-73 percent) and Shiba Inu (-38 percent).

 

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 ten 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 to 1953 (replaced by the beagle in 1954). Cocker spaniels made a comeback and were number one again from 1983 to 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 1970s, when it made up only 12 percent of the registry versus 23 percent today.

The Working group peaked in the 1990s at 17 percent, most notably due to the Rottweiler being in the Top Ten at that time, including several years in secong place.

*The first year AKC registration data was captured.