Most popular dog breed in the US has been revealed
English foxhounds came in last place
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Your support makes all the difference.As shelters continue to clear out as a result of an increase in pet adoptions amid the coronavirus pandemic, dogs of all breeds have found forever homes.
But, when it comes to the breed most popular in the US, Labrador retrievers have again come out on top - for the 29th year in a row.
This week, the American Kennel Club (AKC) released its 2019 registry list, which marked a record-breaking popularity streak for the dog breed.
According to the AKC, Labs first appeared at the top of the list in the 1970s, and have been there ever since.
As for the traits that make them such popular pets, the AKC cited “versatility, stable temperament, friendliness, trainability, and athleticism as just a few of its special qualities”.
“This is a do-everything breed that needs to be with its humans,” Erin Henlon-Hall, a Labrador breeder from Villa Ridge, Missouri, told the AKC. “It personifies the definition of versatility - hunting, showing, family, dock diving, tracking, obedience.
“It’s as American as baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie.”
But, the popularity of Labradors doesn’t extend to every city in the country, as the AKC acknowledges that the French bulldog, which has been in fourth place for the last three years, is the most popular breed in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Palm Beach, Florida.
Following the Labrador retriever, the AKC list’s top five includes German shepherds, golden retrievers, French bulldogs, and bulldogs.
This year’s list also marks the first time the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has made it into the top 10, after becoming more popular than the Yorkshire Terrier.
The list also revealed the least-popular dog breed of 2019 - the English foxhound - which placed 193rd.
However, it is worth noting that the rankings, based on the 1.4m puppies registered to the AKC last year, only include the 193 breeds that the AKC recognises, which do not include mixed breeds such as goldendoodles and Maltipoos, according to CNN.
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