The Labrador Retriever Is Still America’s Top Dog

The American Kennel Club made the announcement Monday for the 25th straight time.

In a contest that has become as predictable as the clock striking midnight on a daily basis, the Labrador retriever has been named the most popular purebred dog in America.

It’s the longest reign since the AKC started the rankings in the 1880s.

The top five breeds in New York City are French bulldogs, bulldogs, labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and Yorkshire terriers.

Americans “like easy-to-care-for, fun family dogs”, whether that means big, strong animals that can protect their families or small pets with “big-dog personalities”, says AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo.

Quickly rising up the popularity chart is the fourth placed bulldog which has risen 32 spots in the last decade.

Next on the list are the golden retriever and the German shepherd, coming in as No. 3 and No. 2, respectively. And they are friendly with other breeds that they encounter in elevators. “People just love them [and] they’re great with families”.

Other popular breeds high on the list are Siberian huskies, which have increased in rank each year and is now at No. 12 on the list.