AKC rankings: Labrador retrievers take top spot as most popular
Dogs: What you need to know Dogs: What you need to know (NCD)
ByLauren Silver, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
The American Kennel Club has released the rankings of the most popular breeds in the United States, and for the 31st year in a row, Labrador retrievers have taken the top spot.
While the Labrador retriever maintained its position at the top of the list, bulldogs were bumped out of the top five for the first time since 2012, as the poodle saw a surge in popularity for the first time since 1997, the AKC announced in a news release.
“The versatile, family-friendly Labrador Retriever has solidified itself as America’s dog,” Gina DiNardo, AKC executive secretary, said in a statement. “With their loving, outgoing personality and eager-to-please attitude, it’s no surprise that the Lab has been able to continue its record-breaking run as the most popular breed in the U.S.”
The American Kennel Club publishes its rankings based on the more than 800,000 purebred puppies and dogs that were added to the group’s registry over the last year, The Associated Press reported. There are 197 recognized breeds.
The poodle, which returned to the top five (rising one spot from number six in 2020), reigned as top dog in the U.S. from 1960-1982 before it was replaced. While poodles are part of several popular hybrid breeds (such as labradoodles and maltipoos), the AKC does not currently recognize those breeds, The Associated Press reported.
Poodles jump to top 5 in popularity FILE - Siba, a poodle, competes for Best in Show during the 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11, 2020, in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and poodles are in the top 10. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo/AP)
One of the biggest jumps this year in popularity was that of the Xoloitzcuintli, which was 156 in 2011, rising to 119.
Xoloitzcuintli jumps to 119 in AKC rankings File photo: Namina, a Xoloitzcuintli dog attends American Kennel Club Announces Most Popular Dogs for 2010 at American Kennel Club Offices on January 26, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for American Kennel Club) (Gary Gershoff)
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Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Memo, a Labrador retriever, competes in the sporting group during the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb. 13, 2018. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and Labrador retrievers are the top dog. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (Mary Altaffer/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Daniel, a golden retriever, wins the sporting group during 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 11, 2020, in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and golden retrievers are in the top 10. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Manchester, a bulldog owned by Eduardo Hernendez of Mexico City, gets comforting treatment after winning an award of merit in breed at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Feb. 13, 2012. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and bulldogs are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File) (Craig Ruttle/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - EJ's CC Rider, a 1-year old smooth dachshund, waits in the ring to be judged during the 132nd Westminster Kennnel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, Feb. 11, 2008, in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and dachshunds are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File) (Jason DeCrow/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Molly, a 13-inch beagle from Bangkok, Thailand, waits in the benching area to compete during the 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 15, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and beagles are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (Mary Altaffer/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - A French bulldog named Reba waits to enter the ring at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show in New York, Feb. 16, 2015. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and French bulldogs are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Siba, a poodle, competes for Best in Show during the 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11, 2020, in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and poodles are in the top 10. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - German shorthaired pointers wait to enter the ring during the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Feb. 13, 2018. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and German shorthaired pointers are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - A Norwegian lundehund, a relatively rare breed in the U.S., competes during the non-sporting group at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb. 12, 2018. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (Mary Altaffer/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - A Rottweiler named Prime, who works as a service dog, is seen during the meet the breeds companion event at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Feb., 11, 2017. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and Rottweilers are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (Mary Altaffer/AP)
Photos: American Kennel Club’s most popular dogs FILE - Ledous, a cane corso, gets his ear scratched while being shown during the meet the breeds companion event at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 10, 2018, in New York. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (Mary Altaffer/AP)