Most popular dog breeds

As I was walking my pug in the park and saw other dog lovers playing with their pooches, a question strike me: what is the most popular dog breed? I think the most popular dog is still probably the good old-fashioned mutt but a quick research on the net revealed the following top five breeds:

Coming at number five is the Beagle which could be best represented by the Peanuts star,
Snoopy. He may even single-handedly brought the breed to the top of the list in the first place. The Beagle is a great tracker and hunter that’s why it should never be allowed out without a leash or it will take off on its own, following a trail to who-knows-where. They are friendly, cheerful dogs, known for imitating vultures and chasing Red Barons. If you are planning to get a beagle, be warned that they are a vocal dog, due to their background on the hunt.

Next in line is the Dachshund. How can anyone not love the little wiener dog? My friend Shawn Umsted owns two but unfortunately lost one due to a brain tumor. Dachshunds make great apartment dogs, the short hairs require minimal grooming, and are endlessly entertaining to look at. And they don't eat a lot, to be sure. A great companion dog, the Dachshund is intelligent, active, and fiercely loyal to its owner, sometimes focusing in on one person to the exclusion of all others. This makes them the ideal pet for a single person. The breed was originally developed in Germany over 300 years ago, and the name is actually German for "badger hound." They are fiercely courageous, even to the point of foolhardiness, and their small stature allowed them to quickly jump into badger holes and flush out badgers on badger hunts. Who knew that Germany had so many badgers running around?

Barking at the third place is the German Shepherd, another breed developed in Germany where they seem to do little else but make big dogs. The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog, often used as a guide dog, police dog, herder, and all around great family pet. They are curious, faithful, and obedient, and love to be in on all activities. While they make great housedogs, they are not recommended for apartments unless you are willing to take it outside for hours and hours of exercise. And they eat their weight in kibble every two and a half days.


The second most popular dog breed is, tah dah, the Golden Retriever. It is another highly intelligent breed, useful as a guide dog for the blind. They are also hunters, family pets, and show dogs. Goldies tend to be friendly and good-natured, not known for hostility towards people or animals, or even obnoxious little brats! This even temperament makes them a great family dog, especially with youngsters around. The Golden Retriever is a big dog with a big appetite, so it will need a lot of exercise, especially if confined to an apartment all day. They also shed TONS in the summer, so get ready to have dog hair cover your clothes, food, and everything in your entire house. Records on the breed's development date back to 1835 in Scotland, thanks to scrupulous gamekeepers in Scotland.
Taking the top spot is the Labrador Retriever. Bred primarily as a working gun dog, the Labrador Retriever is a gentle breed, with an outgoing nature and a ridiculously friendly temperament. Known for its "otter tail" (and its drool), this athletic dog can go from the hunt to the showroom to the family room with equal aplomb. Because of their gentle nature, Labrador Retrievers make good pets when children or seniors are part of the household, although as pups they can get extremely wild and energetic. While they aren't aggressive, they do bark to keep the weirdos at bay. Keep in mind that Labs have big appetites and need lots of exercise, but they're big ol' friendly dogs.