AKC's 2011 Top Dog Breeds by City

Published: Mar. 01, 2012
Subject: Popular Pups
Category: More Bones to Chew On

At the start of every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) tells us which breeds are the most popular in the U.S. based on the number of dogs registered each year with the AKC. And what's more interesting, they share the top breeds within major U.S. cities.  

While the loving Labrador was named to the top spot in the U.S. for 2011 (and for the 21st year in a row!), keep reading to see the full Top Ten list, and notable facts from the AKC about the top picks in major cities across the country. Lastly, check out the links further below to see get to the AKC's Top Ten lists by city and to see the full listing of top breeds for 2011.

The Top Ten Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. for 2011 

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Beagle

4. Golden Retriever

5. Yorkshire Terrier

6. Bulldog

7. Boxer

8. Poodle

9. Dachshund

10. Rottweiler

While the list closely resembles last year's top ten, the Beagle is making it's way to the top.  In 2010, the Beagle swapped spots with Golden Retriever for the 4th spot, and now it's up to number 3, a spot previously held by the Yorkie. And there's a new addition to the top 10 -- the Rottweiler, which seems surprising but only because there seem to be very few in San Francisco - one of the dog-friendliest spots in the U.S.

The AKC's Fun Facts by City 

San Francisco:  New additions to San Francisco's top 10 last year were the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (up 10 places to tie for fifth), Bernese Mountain Dog (up three places to tie for ninth) and Dachshund (up five places to tie for ninth). At the 11th most popular locally, was the Vizsla, which is ranked 37th nationally.

Los Angeles: The Bulldog holds the top spot in Los Angeles, followed by the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. In addition, the French Bulldog overtook the Golden Retriever last year to land in the top five, and also making the top ten, the Pomeranian and Maltese.

Miami: The Rottweiler remained the third most popular breed last year, with the German Shepherd taking the top spot and followed by the Yorkie, while the Lab ranked fourth.

New York City: The Yorkshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever, and French Bulldog took the top three spots, with two new breeds making it to the the top ten -- the Golden Retriever (up six places to number eight) and the Havanese (up three places to number 10).

West Palm Beach: The German Shepherd was the top dog while the Labrador Retriever only placed third.

Seattle: The French Bulldog jumped four spots to become the third most popular breed in the top ten, which includes the German Shepherd, Cavalier King Charles and Bulldog. The Havanese climbed 17 places to land in the top 10, although it ranks 31st nationally.

Tampa: The Yorkshire Terrier took the number one spot from the Labrador Retriever this year in Tampa.

Washington D.C.: The Poodle jumped two places, becoming the second most popular breed, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's climbed 15 places to become the sixth most popular dog. 

The Scoop:

View the AKC's 2011 Most Popular Dogs in Major U.S. Cities

www.akc.org/toptenbycity

...and the AKC's 2011 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. 
www.akc.org/topten

See a listing of all of the breeds and see where they ranked in 2001, 2006, 2010, and where they rank now.
www.akc.org/allbreeds

Thank you to julphotos for the photo.

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