Labrador Retriever Leads the Pack as Most Popular for 27th Year
– French Bulldog Leaps into Top Five, Knocking Out the Beagle –
New York, NY – The Labrador Retriever continues to break records! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a press conference today that the loveable Lab once again is the number one most popular breed in the United States.
While the Labrador Retriever remains a constant at the top of the charts, the big mover and shaker in 2017 was the French Bulldog. The easygoing, playful, adaptable Frenchie not only jumped two spots to number four, it knocked the Beagle out of the top five for the first time since 1998.
“The Labrador Retriever has its paws firmly planted in Americans’ hearts,” said AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo. “It’s such a versatile and family friendly breed. Don’t underestimate the power of the Frenchie, though! Its adaptability and loveable temperament make it very appealing to a wide variety of people. The French Bulldog is poised for a takeover.”
In addition to the country’s most popular, rare breeds were on the rise in 2017. The Norwegian Buhund rose four spots (174th to 170th), Skye Terriers rose six spots (178th to 172nd), Canaan Dogs jumped six spots (181st to 175th), and Harriers rose three spots (186th to 183rd).
See below for AKC’s top 10 most popular breeds in 2017, along with the 2016 comparison:
| 2017 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. | 2016 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. |
| 1. Labrador Retriever | 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog | 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Golden Retriever | 3. Golden Retriever |
| 4. French Bulldog | 4. Bulldog |
| 5. Bulldog | 5. Beagle |
| 6. Beagle | 6. French Bulldog |
| 7. Poodle | 7. Poodle |
| 8. Rottweiler | 8. Rottweiler |
| 9. Yorkshire Terrier | 9. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 10. German Shorthaired Pointer | 10. Boxer |
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Learn more about America’s most popular breed, the Labrador Retriever, HERE.
View photos of the most popular breeds HERE.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Book an interview with an AKC Spokesperson by contacting Jessica D’Amato at 212-696-8346 or jessica.damato@akc.org. Photos from the press conference are also available upon request to members of the press]