Top Dog Breeds of 2012

Larger dog breeds move up the ranks of the American Kennel Club's annual “Most Popular Dogs” list for 2012.

Posted: Feb 4, 2013, 10 a.m. EDT

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Labrador PuppyWhile the top 10 dog breeds are the same as they were on the 2011 list, large dog breeds have gained popularity overall.

“Bigger breeds are making their move,” says AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson.

The Labrador Retriever retained its position as top dog for the 22nd consecutive year, tying with the poodle for most popular breed of all time.

The popularity of “portable pooches” appears to be waning, Peterson reports. There were no toy breeds in the top five for the first time since 2003, which was the last time Yorkshire Terriers were not in the top five. In 2012, Yorkshire Terriers swapped places with Bulldogs, falling to sixth.

Chihuahuas, Pugs and Pomeranians all dropped some notches on the popularity roster last year.

Here are the AKC’s top 25 U.S. breeds for 2012:

  1. Labrador Retriever
  2. German Shepherd Dog 
  3. Golden Retriever
  4. Beagle
  5. Bulldog
  6. Yorkshire Terrier
  7. Boxer
  8. Poodle
  9. Rottweiler
  10. Dachshund
  11. Shih Tzu
  12. Doberman Pinscher
  13. Miniature Schnauzer
  14. French Bulldog
  15. German Shorthaired Pointer
  16. Siberian Husky
  17. Great Dane
  18. Chihuahua
  19. Pomeranian
  20. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  21. Shetland Sheepdog
  22. Australian Shepherd
  23. Boston Terrier
  24. Permbroke Welsh Corgi
  25. Maltese

And the least popular breed in 2012, drum roll, please: English Foxhounds, which finished in 175.

In related news, New York City-based AKC expanded its roster of recognized breeds to 177 in January with the inclusion of the Chinook and Portuguese Podengo Pequeno breeds.

 

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Jason Tweed, Mediastead.com   Northumberland, PA

2/26/2013 8:11:42 AM

I'm a little surprised that Chihuahua is 18th. They are very popular in our community. I figured they would be top 5. It's ok by me. I like big dogs.

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TJ   Sarasota, Florida

2/11/2013 8:04:27 PM

All dogs are wonderful....

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Elaine - 49068   Windsor, CT

2/9/2013 4:13:04 AM

I don't care how they are ranked - if you love a dog and he/she is your companion, what difference does it make how they are rated. I have a corgi and a terrier and not the least bit concerned how they are rated. They are the best in my eyes.

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George   Midland, Michigan

2/9/2013 3:25:40 AM

What continues to mystify is why wiener dogs are not at the #1 position where they deserve to be, as they always have. Perhaps there is a supply problem? Nothing else makes sense.

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