Top Dog Breeds by City in 2008

Dogs

The American Kennel Club (AKC) released their registration numbers for 2008 numbers allowing us to determine the top 10 breeds for the year. For the 18th year in a row, the Labrador retriever is once again America's favorite purebred dog, according to registration numbers tallied by the American Kennel Club.

They also tallied top breeds by city for 50 US cities including Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Buffalo, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinatti, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tucson, and Washington DC.


In reviewing these numbers by city, it is hard to draw any conclusions on why some cities prefer some dogs over other dogs. One might think that the warm-weather tolerant breeds might be more common in the South and outdoorsy dogs might be more common in the Midwestern cities. However, there seem to be no pattern to how these cities love their dogs!

The Top 10 Breeds of 2008 are:

1. Labrador retrievers
2. Yorkshire terriers
3. German shepherds
4. Golden retrievers
5. Beagles
6. Boxers
7. Dachshunds
8. Bulldog
9. Poodles
10. Shih Tzus

The Top Breeds by City include:

Atlanta's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Dachshund
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. Shih Tzu
9. Doberman Pinscher
10. Bulldog

Registration data pulled from Atlanta zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which saw increase popularity in 2007 moving from seventh to fourth most popular breed, took a small down turn returning to seventh most popular breed in Atlanta for 2008," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Bulldog, a national favorite, edged its way into Atlanta's Top 10, moving from eleventh place."

Austin's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Boxer
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Poodle
10. Doberman Pinscher

Registration data pulled from Austin zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Following the national trend, the Bulldog, made its way onto Austin's Top 10 list, appearing in the number seven spot." said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Also notable, after dropping to twelfth place last year, the Miniature Schnauzer returns as one of Austin's Top 10 breeds, in eighth place."

Baltimore
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Bulldog
7. Pugs
8. Poodle
9. Chihuahua
10. Maltese

Registration data pulled from Baltimore zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
Poodle and Pugs tied for 6th
"The Bulldog jumped from tenth to sixth most popular breed for 2008 in Baltimore," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Baltimore's love of Toy breeds is demonstrated with two new additions to its Top 10 list, the Chihuahua, and the Maltese."

Boston's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Bulldog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Boxer
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. Dachshund
9. Beagle
10. Boston Terrier/Pug

Registration data pulled from Boston zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
Golden retriever and Yorkshire terrier tied for 4th
Dachshund and Cavalier tied for 7th
Beagle and Boston terrier tied for 9th
"The Bulldog's popularity grew nationally as well as in Boston, rising from sixth most popular breed to third place," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Also noteworthy, the Boston Terrier, named after the city, and affectionately called the (American Gentleman) tied with the Pug and Beagle for ninth place."

Buffalo's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog
8. Shih Tzu
9. Chihuahua
10. Rottweiler/Yorkshire Terrier

Registration data pulled from Buffalo zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The Bulldog will be keeping Buffaloians warm this winter" said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "This lovable breed muscled its way onto Buffalo's Top 10 this year, rising eight spots to seventh place."

Charlotte's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Boxer
6. Rottweiler
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Doberman Pinscher

Registration data pulled from Charlotte zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
Dachshund and Poodle tied for 8th
"While not on the Top 10 list nationally both the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher made their mark as the sixth and tenth most popular breeds in Charlotte respectively," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Bulldog also made a quite an entrance, being ranked sixteenth in 2007, and now becoming Charlotte's seventh most popular breed."

Chicago's Top Dogs
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. Rottweiler
8. Dachshund
9. Boston Terriers
10. Shih Tzu/Vizsla

Registration data pulled from Chicago zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"For the second year on the Chicago Top 10 list is the Vizsla, a Hungarian hunting dog and member of the sporting group. This unique breed ranks forty-forth nationally but is consistently more popular in the Windy City," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "There was also an increase in popularity of the Bulldog, which jumped from eighth to fifth place this year on Chicago's Top 10 list."