Top Breeds in Major U.S. Cities
2009 AKC Registration Figures – Discover the Most Popular Breeds in Various U.S. Cities
Albany’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Golden Retriever |
| 4. Pekingese |
| 5. Bulldog/Pomeranian/Yorkshire Terrier** |
*Registration data pulled from Albany zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 5th (2009)
"Despite the Labrador Retriever’s continued reign in Albany, New York’s capital city is now experiencing a takeover of the toy breeds," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "In 2009, the Pekingese moved up five places to secure the city’s fourth spot while the Yorkshire Terrier made a huge leap and the Pekingese re-entered the Capital District’s top dogs list, with the two tying for the fifth spot."
Albuquerque’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Poodle** |
| 4. Bulldog |
| 5. Yorkshire Terrier |
* Registration data pulled from Albuquerque zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 2nd (2009)
"The registration trends in Albuquerque generally mimic the national trends, with several breeds on the rise in the Duke City," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The German Shepherd Dog tied the Poodle to move into second place, while the Bulldog gained two spots to obtain the fourth ranking. Only the Golden Retriever, ranked fourth nationally, made a poor showing in Albuquerque – the breed plummeted to thirteenth place locally."
Atlanta’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. Golden Retriever |
| 3. German Shepherd Dog |
| 4. Boxer |
| 5. Yorkshire Terrier |
* Registration data pulled from Atlanta zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Atlanta has remained loyal to its favorite dogs over the past two years, with the same breeds remaining in the top five," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The German Shepherd Dog and Boxer have also tussled playfully in their rankings since 2007, but this year, the German Shepherd Dog triumphed."
Austin’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
* Registration data pulled from Austin zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"After Austin’s top five remained static in 2007 and 2008, last year brought changes to the Live Music Capital of the World’s list," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier and Dachshund gained ground in the rankings – music to the ears of small dog enthusiasts in Austin."
Baltimore’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 3. Boxer |
| 4. Golden Retriever |
| 5. German Shepherd Dog /Poodle/Rottweiler** |
* Registration data pulled from Baltimore zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 5th (2009)
"The charming Yorkshire Terrier leapt three spots to fifth place on the Charm City’s top dogs list, dethroning some perennial favorites in the process," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "In 2009, the Top 5 also saw the rise of two hard-working breeds with jobs – the Poodle and the Rottweiler – perhaps reflecting the nose to the grindstone nature of Baltimore."
Boston’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Bulldog |
| 4. Boxer |
| 5. Golden Retriever |
* Registration data pulled from Boston zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The Yorkshire Terrier fell out of the Top 5 in popularity in Beantown, leaving five large, family-friendly breeds in its place," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Especially notable is the Portuguese Water Dog’s large jump in popularity – from twenty-third to seventh – perhaps due to the late Senator Edward Kennedy, who championed the breed, and the popularity of the Obama family’s "Bo," the new First Dog."
Buffalo’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. Golden Retriever |
| 3. German Shepherd Dog |
| 4. Rottweiler |
| 5. Poodle |
* Registration data pulled from Buffalo zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The city of Buffalo seems to favor large, active breeds, with the Rottweiler’s rise in the rankings from tenth to fourth especially notable," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Bulldog, however, dropped from seventh to thirteenth in 2009, despite the breed being on the rise nationally."
Charlotte’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
* Registration data pulled from Charlotte zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Charlotteans remain steady in their breed preferences, with the same dogs in their Top 4 again this year," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Notably, the Bulldog moved into the city’s Top 5 from seventh place in 2008, mimicking the breed’s continued national rise."
Chicago’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
* Registration data pulled from Chicago zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Although its top two breeds are standing strong, Chicagoans remain ahead of the national trend with local favorite the Bulldog in the third spot," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Its short, stocky body was practically made to withstand the weather in the Windy City!"
Cincinnati’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Golden Retriever |
| 4. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 5. Boxer |
* Registration data pulled from Cincinnati zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Cincy’s Top 5 breeds remained static over the year, with only the German Shepherd Dog and Boxer swapping spots," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The German Shepherd’s jump to second mirrors its national rise as well."
Cleveland’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Boxer |
| 4. Bulldog |
| 5. Golden Retriever/Yorkshire Terrier** |
* Registration data pulled from Cleveland zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 5th (2009)
"Breeds on the rise nationally also gained ground in Cleveland this year," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Bulldog inserted itself into the city’s Top 5, and Clevelanders launched the German Shepherd Dog into the second most popular spot."
Columbus’ Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. German Shepherd Dog |
| 2. Labrador Retriever |
| 3. Bulldog |
| 4. Boxer |
| 5. Yorkshire Terrier** |
* Registration data pulled from Columbus zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 4th (2009)
"The German Shepherd Dog beat out the Labrador Retriever to reign supreme in Columbus," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "This culminates its steady rise up the charts – from third in 2007, second in 2008 and now first in 2009. The Bulldog also gained four spots to rank in third place, echoing the breed’s national rise."
