It’s like election season for dogs, when the American Kennel Club tallies its registrations to gauge the most popular breeds for the year.
Topping 2014’s list is the breed that has been America’s favorite for 24 years: The family friendly, smart-as-a-whip Labrador retriever. (In Chicago, it moved up one notch from its No. 2 position last year, when the German shepherd bested it.)
America is bullish on bulldogs too — the breed waddled into its highest position ever: No. 4 nationally, No. 5 in Chicago. And no wonder: It tends to bond with kids, requires minimal exercise and boasts a low-maintenance coat.
Its French cousin broke into the top 10 for the first time in nearly a century, landing at No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in Chicago.
The dachshund was ousted from the national top 10 for the first time since 1985 — but just barely. It landed at No. 11.
The Doberman pinscher, No. 7 in 2013, fell out of the Chicago top 10 for 2014. The beagle, No. 5 nationally, didn’t make the Chicago top 10.
Trending upward over the past decade: The wire-haired pointing griffon, which the AKC describes as “the 4-wheel drive of hunting dogs.” It has leapt 38 spots from 112th in 2004 to 74th in 2014.
Other breeds making double-digit gains over the past decade include the Havanese (from 52nd in 2004 to 25th in 2014), the border collie (from 60th in 2004 to 39th in 2014), the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (from 118th in 2004 to 96th in 2014), and the black and tan coonhound (from 140th in 2004 to 120th in 2014).
Dog breeding isn’t universally popular. Animal-rights activists point to mixed-breed, rescued dogs that need homes. They say breeding encourages puppy mills and can foster unhealthy traits.
The AKC says that its guidelines encourage responsible breeding and help owners choose a pet that’s the right fit for their household. A recent NPR story reported on a shortage of shelter dogs in some areas of the country.
2014 list of most popular dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador retriever
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2. German shepherd
3. Golden retriever
4. Bulldog
5. Beagle
6. Yorkshire terrier
7. Poodle
8. Boxer
9. French bulldog
10. Rottweiler
Top 10 canine breeds for Chicago
1. Retrievers (Labrador)
2. Retrievers (golden)
3. French bulldogs
4. German shepherds
5. Bulldogs
6. Boxers
7. Yorkshire terriers
8. Rottweilers
9. Poodles
10. Bernese mountain dogs