AKC Says Top Dog is the Labrador Retriever

Chocolate and Yellow Labrador Retrievers

The most popular dog in America is the Labrador Retriever, according to statistics announced today by the American Kennel Club.

The Beagle nudged out the ever-popular Golden Retriever for 4th place in the organization’s annual list of the most popular dogs in the U.S. While another shakeup in their top 10 breeds resulted in the Bulldog pulling rank ahead of the Boxer for 6th place.

A few of the breeds enjoying the greatest rise in popularity over the past decade include the French Bulldog jumping 50 spots from 71st place to 21st place, the Havanese rising to 31st place from 86th and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel up 31 spots to 23rd place.

The AKC determines its popularity rankings annually based on their nationwide registration statistics for each AKC-recognized dog breed. They added three new breeds to their registry in 2010, including the Leonberger, Cane Corso and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Did your dog make their top 10 list? Check the rankings below to find out.

AKC's 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2010

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd

3. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Beagle

5. Golden Retriever

6. Bulldog

7. Boxer

8. Dachshund

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

For more information on these dog breeds as well as many others not on this list, visit Breed Trust's dog breed pages.


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Designer Dogs or Glorified Mutts: Puppy Love at What Price?

Designer dogs have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years much to the dismay of purebred dog breeders. AKC recognized breeds such as the Shih Tzu and Pekingese are steeped in rich history and pedigree.  Yet, the designer or hybrid versions of these breeds such as the Lhasapoo or Pekepoo can often fetch a price tag as high or higher than their purebred counterparts even though they lack the champion bloodlines often found in purebreds.

Despite the fact that the cross-bred Cockerpoo was in existence for many years, it wasn’t until the Labradoodle was conceived that the “designer” dog label with a price tag to match was cleverly attached to a cross-bred dog.  A cross between two purebreds, the first designer dogs often included a poodle in the mix and were labeled with names ending in “oodle” or “poo”.

In recent years, so many cross breeds have evolved that it’s hard to keep pace with all the names; Jackaranians, Buggs, and French Weenies just to name a few. Whether you are among those who adore these four-legged fur-balls or side with opponents who consider them no more than glorified mutts, there is no denying their popularity.  Designer dog breeds now outnumber AKC recognized purebreds more than 2:1.

Unlike the fashion industry, in the wide world of dogdom the term “designer” and its association with high price and quality is the subject of much debate. While these pups can fetch upwards of $2,500 or more in some instances, slapping the “designer” moniker on a cross-breed doesn't necessarily justify its high price.  Then again, it’s hard to put any price on puppy love.

A Sampling of Some Popular Designer Dogs

Golden Retriever + Poodle                  = Goldendoodle

Labrador Retriever + Poodle               = Labradoodle

Schnauzer + Poodle                           = Schnoodle

Cocker Spaniel + Poodle                     = Cockerpoo

Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle                     = Yorkiepoo

Pug +  Beagle                        = Puggle

Cat Summoned to Jury Duty

It looks like Boston resident Sal Esposito will soon be raising his right paw as he takes the oath to serve as a juror in a Boston courthouse this March. Sal has been summoned to jury duty and the jury commissioner has refused a request to disqualify him from his obligation, despite the fact that Sal is a feline.

This may sound like something out of a Garfield the Cat comic strip, but it’s playing out in real life in Boston. Upon receipt of Sal’s jury duty notice his pet parent, Anna Esposito, requested that her cat be disqualified for jury duty. Surprisingly, the request was denied. Apparently, the fact that Sal doesn’t speak English, spends his days enjoying long cat naps and prefers a mouse that enjoys eating cheese over a mouse that points and clicks isn’t sufficient evidence for the justice system in Boston to relieve him of his duty to serve.

We constantly read how people are treating their pets more and more like humans, but this story takes it to the extreme. It's possible Sal will be deciding the guilt or innocence of some unlucky cat burglar. Perhaps since the law requires a trial by one’s peers, Sal’s call to jury duty is an early indication that some fearless feline is about to go on trial for dognapping. If that’s the case, then the defense may view Sal as the purrr-fect juror.

Our Furry Psychotherapists: Our Pets

It seems our pets are all ears when we need a shoulder to lean on or someone to listen to us, often playing dual roles as both family pet and personal psychotherapist. Whether we've had a bad day, lost our job or are in a bad relationship, our pets will faithfully listen to our troubles, convey their empathy with a supportive look of understanding and nurture us emotionally just as any human therapist would do and for far less money.

I would argue that our pets make us healthier, happier beings just by being there for us and I suspect that most pet owners would agree. Yet, an article in the New York Times presents evidence to refute that claim based on research by the well-regarded Pew Research Center, esteemed universities and international research centers. According to various studies by these institutions, pets not only don’t contribute to improving our long-term health and happiness, but also may have an adverse impact on our physical and emotional well being in some cases.

Clearly, none of these researchers have pets themselves or they would know from personal experience that their study results must be flawed. Is it possible to have stress because you own a pet? Of course it is. If you’ve been jobless for the past year and are struggling financially, the expenses associated with owning a pet will only add to your stress.

It’s also possible that your pet could adversely impact your physical well-being. If you’re allergic to cats, but you have one anyway, or if you accidentally trip over your little yorkie and end up with a sprained ankle then you'll have your pet to thank for these physical issues. Yet, the long-term emotional perks of having a pet far outweigh any short-term setbacks such as these.

There really is no need for these researchers to spend a lot of time and money studying the true impact of animals on their humans, instead they need only ask any pet owner or better yet, adopt pets for themselves. They’ll quickly receive their answer. After all, how can receiving unconditional love, a constant, adoring companion and your very own personal fan club of furry fun day in and day out do anything other than bring pure, unadulterated joy to your life? There truly is no better prescription for health and happiness than a pet.

How has your pet impacted your health and well being? Do you think there is any merit to the findings of these researchers who say pets don't improve our health or may even negatively impact it?