Bow wow! Labrador Retriever is nation's most popular dog breed

nydailynews ^ | Wednesday, January 21st 2009

[JoeProBono]

The Labrador Retriever certainly has a lock on the hearts of American dog lovers. For the eighteenth straight year, the Lab has topped the American Kennel Club's list of the nation's 10 most popular purebred dog breeds. The top 10 dogs are ranked as follows: Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Bulldog, Poodle and Shi Tzu.

[JoeProBono]

Sadie, a 1-year-old white Labrador retriever, and Koda, a 2-year-old chocolate Lab, retrieve a stick together in Lake Frances in Nescopeck State Park near Hazleton, Pa.

[anniegetyourgun]

All the years that the Cocker Spaniel held this popularity caused great harm to the breed. It seems the Lab breeders are doing a good job of resisting the temptations that would lead to the destruction of the breed.

[LiberConservative]

If I lived on a farm: German Sheppard. No question. In my apartment I settled for a couple of cats.

[444Flyer]

Mine’s named Shadow. Appropriately named because I'll be darned if that dog isn't within a foot or two of me at all times when I'm home.

[BigBlueJon]

My 10 y/o Chocolate Lab, Jake, would agree. He’s very vain anyway.

[yarddog]

Labs are the best natured dogs, in fact most of them are just plain sweet.

[JoeProBono]

What me runnerup?

[allmendream]

My 11 year old Chocolate Lab Jake would agree as well! GMTA.

[JoeProBono]

[kanawa]

Woof

[JoeProBono]

Fourth place no disgrace

[MarineBrat]

Yee haw! Labbies first again!

[PistolPaknMama]

All the years that the Cocker Spaniel held this popularity caused great harm to the breed.

How so? I have had great cockers over the last 15 years, but maybe I didn't know what to look for.

I've had labs too, the "white" lab above looks just like our Maggie. She was one of the most intelligent dogs I've ever met. She learned to retrieve doves just from watching other dogs. Incredible dog.

But I love my two cockers who are just spoiled babies.

[JoeProBono]

Fifth Place

[mamelukesabre]

I got a red lab. Great dog.

That list seems mostly right on. I can’t for the life of me figure out why yorkies are ranked so high. Talk about a worthless creature...

I used to know a lady that raised yorkies. One day I was talking to her about dog breeds and I happened to mention that I thought pugs were about the most useless and untrainable dog breed ever invented. She said...there’s one worse, that I know of. Yorkies.”.

And she was a yorkie breeder!

[anniegetyourgun]

I love them too - love all dogs! But the Cocker breeders went way overboard on inbreeding - pushing the limits on line breeding as well. It compromised the health of the breed. They lost sight of the purpose of the breed, and instead went for type.

[PistolPaknMama]

What me runnerup?

LOL! That little Yorkie looks exactly like my 3 pound granddog. She wouldn't stand for being a runner up either. When she's "in the house" the house is all about her! I love that little girl!

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

6th Place

[LiberConservative]

That is so LOL funny! I had a shep as a kid who looked a like like that. And I actually put my Wayfarers on him once. My kid sister put an Aerosmith t-shirt on him and he didn't mind at all. He was so good natured, friendly and lovable. Shepherds do best with a real working dog job or a family of crazy kids. You brought back some very cool memories. Thanks for posting. LOL!