So the doggies are here to stay. But for the list of most popular dog breeds for 2007, we had to bid a fond farewell to the Cocker Spaniel (”Lady” of Lady and the Tramp fame), and a good riddance to the annoyingly yippy yet sickly sweet Pomeranian. Two new dogs have joined the list of the 10 most popular registered breeds in the USA. We say “registered” because those are the easiest to keep track of, but truth be told, the most popular dog is still probably the good old-fashioned mutt. So if you happen to be one of those crazies who treats your dog like a child, read on and find out how popular your pooch is.
Although cats are currently more numerous in households than dogs, dogs are still man’s best friend. Mixed breeds and mutts are popular, but full bred dogs are more in demand, with Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers topping the list. Retrievers are breeds with easy going, friendly temperaments and are gentle with children. Their large size might give the appearance of a protective dog, but Retrievers are friendly to everyone.
Another popular dog breed is the German Shepherd. This breed is extremely intelligent and protective of its family. It will protect the home and love the children as its own. Shepherds are obedient and very easy to train. They must be trained when they are puppies, as they will grow to be large and potentially dangerous if not properly socialized.
Boxers and Rottweilers are popular dog breeds that are both thought to be descendants of the Mastiff. Both are very protective of their owners and loving with children. Boxers are very active and often high strung. Rottweilers are calm and quiet. Both have the potential to be dangerous and must be trained properly. If trained at a young age, both Rottweilers and Boxers will be wonderful pets with good social skills.
The Labrador retriever is a beautiful and popular dog breed. They weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, and stand from 21 to 24 and a half inches. They love the water, and are very intelligent. My sister’s black labrador would chew the hose if the didn’t get his daily play with it! Labradors love swimming, and have webbed feet which helps him swim well. They have a lovely, gentle nature, and adore humans. They don’t make great guard dogs, as they accept strangers easily. But they are excellent with children. They do have a lot of energy, so will need exercise and somewhere to run around. But their coat is quite low maintenance, and they are easy to train.
As far as the most popular dog breeds for families, the Golden retriever is always near the top of the list. This breed is very similar to the Labrador retriever except it has a longer coat. They weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, and stand 22 to 24 and a half inches high. Golden retrievers are very intelligent, and have a great love of humans. They are very playful and eager to please, and even love all the attention that children give a pet! They are good around strangers, so they don’t make good guard dogs, but this can be good for a family with children bringing friends over. Golden retrievers do need obedience training, as their need for attention, and desire to play all the time could be irritating to owners wanting some time of their own. They also need at least an hour of exercise a day.
If you are shopping for a smaller dog, look into buying a Chihuahua. This is one of the most popular dog breeds year in and year out, and is nice for people who do not want a big dog running through their home at all times. Chihuahua’s weight from 2 to 6 pounds, and are very loyal, intelligent and perceptive. Despite their size, they don’t think of themselves as small dogs! They are very protective of the house, and make great miniature guard dogs.
The most popular dog breeds are not necessarily the best, they are just the ones that are bought the most by the general public. If you are shopping for a new dog, looking at the most popular breeds is probably a great place to start, but be sure to take into account your needs. Do you want a dog that will fit into an apartment? Or be good around children - especially small children? How much time do you have to exercise your dog? These questions will help determine whether a breed is appropriate for your lifestyle and situation.