They're sweet-tempered, eager to please, excel at dog sports and--of course--they're pretty cute.
These are among the reasons offered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for why the Labrador Retriever is America's favorite dog, for the 26th year in a row.
2016 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Bulldog
5. Beagle
6. French Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. Rottweiler
9. Yorkshire Terrier
10. Boxer
The rankings come from statistics the AKC gets about newly registered dogs among the AKC’s 189 recognized breeds. They don’t include mixed-breed dogs or hybrids like Labradoodles and Maltipoos. See the full list here
The Lab may be a cutie, but AKC says the Rottweiler, rising through the ranks over the past ten years, may be the breed to watch:
"The confident, loyal and loving Rottie was the eighth most popular breed in 2016, its highest ranking since landing at number two in 1997. The Rottweiler has risen nine spots over the past decade and is poised for a comeback," the AKC stated.
“The Labrador Retriever has a strong hold on the top spot, and doesn’t show signs of giving it up anytime soon,” said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo. “The Lab is such a versatile dog that it’s no wonder it makes a great companion for a variety of lifestyles."
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