The most popular pooches in America

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[JoeProBono]

For the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever has held on to its title as America's "Top Dog," according to the American Kennel Club's (AKC) 2009 registration statistics.

In a nod to watchdog breeds, the German Shepherd Dog overtook the Yorkshire Terrier to claim the spot of "second most popular pooch" for the first time in more than three decades. An American favorite since the time of Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd Dog became the number one breed of the 1920s, but then slipped in popularity until after World War II.

The German Shepherd Dog isn't the only working canine to sniff out a place in the Top 10. Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Beagles have all been employed by law enforcement military and homeland security personnel to help with border patrol, bomb and narcotics detection and searching for missing persons.

Here is the AKC's Top 10 list of most popular dogs for 2009:

* 1. Labrador Retriever* * 2. German Shepherd Dog * 3. Yorkshire Terrier * 4. Golden Retriever * 5. Beagle * 6. Boxer * 7. Bulldog * 8. Dachshund * 9. Poodle * 10. Shih Tzu*

[blkmontecarlo]

Here are my Rat Terriers, relatives of the Basenji.

[mrs slocombe]

Bedlington Terriers are the best!

[JoeProBono]

[politicalamity]

Only #6? My 3 Boxers are not happy

[JoeProBono]

[GunRunner]

Yep, she runs the place.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

Love your Boxer pictures. I have a Boxer too. She is a reverse brindle with very little brown. I get asked all the time if she is a black Boxer. She likes to sleep on the bed too. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[Kimmers]

LOL do I know dog personalities ?....

Lovable girl in charge.......

[rintense]

Correct. People who live a very active, outdoor lifestyle are also good fits for Border Collies (and other herding breeds). BCs dominate disc dog competitions as well as agility. Lots of BCs in flyball too. My dogs both do flyball and agility, and one will start disc dog this summer.

If you truly want a k9athlete, a BC is the way to go. Aussie, too, make great active pets.

Highly intelligent dogs, especially BCs, are often turned over to shelters because people don't know how to 'handle' them. In some, the herding drive is so strong, people unfamiliar with the breed will never be able to channel that drive.

[rintense]

On the BCs and flyball thing... a new 'breed' has popped up, specifically bred for flyball. They're called Border Staffies, or 'flyball dogs' and are a cross between a Border Collie and an Staff. Terrier, aka Pitbull. They are incredible dogs! Small, compact, all the muscle of the Staff, and the smarts and speed of a BC. There's one in my flyball club and she's awesome. They are, without a doubt, the fastest dogs I've ever seen.

Border Staffy Pics

[LucyJo]

[marajade]

absolutely adorable

[rabidralph]

He’s beautiful!

[rabidralph]

Awwww. I love boxers.

[politicalamity]

Thanks and your welcome. I love the reverse brindle coat. I have only seen a couple of them out of a lot of boxers I have seen. They are wonderful family pets as I am sure you know. The names from left to right where they are sitting down are Diego, Milo and Sadie. The boys are both rescues, but all 3 are loveable clowns.

[MtnClimber]

I agree about the herding breeds!!! They are always on the alert to protect us from black bears, mountain lions, squirrels and chipmunks here in the Colorado Rockies! Our Belgian Sheepdog Misty

And our Belgian Tervuren Larsen

[2111USMC]

Australian Shepherd?

[Vicki]

I love Basenji’s! We had 2 of them. One was red and white like the picture and the other was a tri color. Very intelligent dogs, but don’t leave them alone in the house uncrated!

[rintense]

Gorgeous!!!! You Misty looks like my beloved (and departed) Daisy. I’m fascinated at how different the face structure is on my Belgians. One has softer, rounded features (like your Misty), and my girl has very sharp, defined features.

[mamelukesabre]

labs aint dumb.

here’s the list: http://petrix.com/dogint/1-10.html

1 Border Collie
2 Poodle
3 German Shepherd
4 Golden Retriever
5 Doberman Pinscher
6 Shetland Sheepdog
7 Labrador Retriever
8 Papillon
9 Rottweiler
10 Australian Cattle Dog

Number seven on the top ten smartest dogs isn’t too shabby.

now, compare the above top ten smart dogs with the below top ten popular dogs...

* 1. Labrador Retriever*
* 2. German Shepherd Dog
* 3. Yorkshire Terrier
* 4. Golden Retriever
* 5. Beagle
* 6. Boxer
* 7. Bulldog
* 8. Dachshund
* 9. Poodle
* 10. Shih Tzu*

Make a list of mutually inclusive breeds:

1. Labrador retriever
2. Golden retriever
3. German shepherd
4. poodle

These 4 are your best dogs in the world, imo.