Test your knowledge of AKC’s most popular breeds!

Q America's "First Dog," Bo is the beloved pet of the Obama family. His breed is known to be loyal and an exceptional swimmer. What breed of dog is Bo?

• Newfoundland
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Scottish Terrier

A. Bo was a gift to the Obamas from Senator Ted Kennedy. Bo was a littermate of one of Sen. Kennedy's Portuguese Water Dogs. Known for its waterproof coat and ability to swim all day, the Portuguese Water Dog has gained popularity in the past decade, moving up the list from #73 to #55 in 2012.

 

Q. What was the number one most popular dog breed of the 1920s?

• Boston Terrier
• German Shepherd Dog
• Labrador Retriever
• Scottish Terrier

A. Shortly after Rin Tin Tin was featured in the Warner Brothers film Man From Hell's River (1922), the German Shepherd Dog became #1 in AKC registrations (1925-1928).  The breed is still extremely popular today.  While a favorite canine companion, GSDs are also hailed as the world's leading police, guard, and military dog, and was the second most popular dog of 2012.

 

Q. Which of the top 10 most popular dogs enjoyed TV stardom on the sitcom Full House?

• Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever

A. The Golden Retriever played the Tanner family's pet dog, Comet, on the sitcom Full House.  Golden Retrievers, with their intelligence and eager to please attitude were the 3rd most popular dog in 2012 and are consistently in the top 10.

 

Q. Which of the top 10 most popular dogs serves as the mascot for Yale University, Georgetown, Butler University, and the United States Marine Corps, among others?

• Bulldog
• Boxer
• Labrador Retriever
• Dachshund

A. The Bulldog, which has steadily risen up the ranks, became the 5th most popular dog of 2012.  An extremely popular mascot for colleges and organizations, Yale was the first university in the U.S. to adopt a mascot, and its Bulldog "Handsome Dan" was established in the 1890s by a young man from Victorian England who attended the University.  Butler University's current Bulldog mascot, Blue II, is retiring this year after nearly 9 years of service. Georgetown formally adopted "Jack" the Bulldog as its official mascot in 1962.

 

Q. In the movie "Toy Story," Slinky, a dog with a metal slinky for a mid-section, is one of Andy's many toys. This elongated breed is one of the top 10 most popular breeds. What breed of dog is Slinky?

• Bulldog
• Dachshund
• Harrier
• Whippet

A. Slinky is a Dachshund. The dachshund, meaning "badger dog" in German, were bred in the early 1600s in Germany to dig the ground and hunt badgers. This playful breed ranked #10 in 2012.

 

Q. Which of the following was one of the original nine breeds registered with the AKC in 1884?

1. Golden Retriever
2. West Highland White Terrier
3. English Setter
4. Mastiff

A. One of the oldest sporting breeds, the English Setter was developed in England more than 400 years ago.  While the 1800s were the only decade that the English Setter reigned as the number one breed, it remained in the top ten for four decades, but hasn't been in the top ten since the 1910s.

 

Q. In ABC's Modern Family, Jay and Gloria Pritchett own a dog named Stella. Stella's breed continues to gain popularity and in 2012 moved up the list from #19 to #14. What breed is Stella?

• Shih Tzu
• Doberman Pinscher
• French Bulldog
• Miniature Schnauzer

A. Stella is a French Bulldog. Often described as "a clown in the cloak of a philosopher," this companion dog continues to become more and more popular each year. It has risen from the 58th most popular breed in 2002 to the 14th in 2012. French Bulldogs are known for their trademark "bat" ears.

 

Q. Newspaper cartoon Marmaduke has been one of America's most beloved comic dogs since 1954. This breed entered the top 20 in 2011 and was the #17 most popular dog in 2012. What breed is Marmaduke?

• Mastiff
• Boston Terrier
• Great Dane
• Shetland Sheepdog

A. Marmaduke is a Great Dane. Over the past decade, the Great Dane has steadily climbed the most popular breeds list, going from #28 in 2002 to #17 in 2012. Known as a "gentle giant," Great Danes are strong yet friendly.

 

Q. What do "Uno," the famous winner of the Westminster Dog Show, and former President Lyndon Johnson's dogs "Him" and "Her" have in common?

• They are all Scottish Terriers.
• They are all Beagles.
• They are all Cocker Spaniels.
• They are all Labrador Retrievers.

A. All three famous dogs are Beagles.  The Beagle is the only breed to rank in the top 10 every year since its acceptance into the AKC registry in 1885.  The Beagle was the 4th most popular dog in the U.S. in 2012.  Another famous Beagle, Snoopy, is the only non-living dog to receive AKC registration, and was also crowned the king of canines in "AKC's Top 125 Dogs in Pop Culture" poll.

 

Q. In the 2001 movie "Legally Blonde," Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has a small, smart and feisty dog named Bruiser. This toy breed has been in the top 20 for the past decade. What breed of dog is Bruiser?

• Chihuahua
• Boston Terrier
• Pomeranian
• Poodle

A. Bruiser was a Chihuahua. The breed is graceful, alert and often referred to as "purse dogs" because of their tiny size. Chihuahuas were ranked #18 most popular breed in 2012.