Top Breeds in Major U.S. Cities
2009 AKC Registration Figures – Discover the Most Popular Breeds in Various U.S. Cities
Little Rock’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 4. Golden Retriever |
| 5. Boxer |
* Registration data pulled from Little Rock’s zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Little Rock’s dog lovers may not have chosen many little breeds in their top 5, but they certainly chose petite breeds overall with their 8 of their top 20 breeds all falling in the small category such as the Shih Tzu at number 20 and the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Boston Terrier and others between the Yorkshire Terrier at number three," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson.
Long Beach’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Bulldog |
| 4. French Bulldog |
| 5. Yorkshire Terrier |
* Registration data pulled from Long Beach zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The French Bulldog is an unusual favorite of Long Beach residents, ranked fourth in Long Beach but only twenty-fourth nationally," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The German Shepherd Dog rose to second in the city for 2009, however, mirroring the national rankings."
Long Island’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
*Registration data pulled from Long Island zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"While Long Island favors large breeds for its top three, the Yorkshire Terrier replaced the Rottweiler on Long Island’s 2009 list of popular breeds," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Four of Long Island’s most popular breeds are also ranked in the nation’s top five, showing that the area is keeping with the national trend."
Los Angeles’ Most Popular Breeds 2009
* Registration data pulled from Los Angeles zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Angelenos pride themselves on their uniqueness and originality, and they lived up to that by making L.A. the only city to have the Bulldog rank as most popular dog," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Despite the top four dogs being large breeds, a number of smaller pooches fill out the Top 10, including the Yorkie, Maltese, French Bulldog and Poodle, perhaps due to their prevalence as companions to the stars."
Louisville’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Boxer |
| 4. Poodle |
| 5. Golden Retriever |
* Registration data pulled from Louisville’s zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"In a stunning come from behind finish for 2009, the Poodle earned fourth place in a dead heat with the Golden Retriever after starting in tenth and ninth places respectively in 2008," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Louisville dog owners don’t pick the favorites either with national top breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle, Dachshund and Bulldog not even placing in the top 5 locally."
Memphis’ Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Beagle |
| 4. Golden Retriever |
| 5. Boxer |
* Registration data pulled from Memphis zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"Memphisians have declared the German Shepherd Dog as "The King" of dog breeds. Its number one spot locally even surpassed the breed’s ascent to its national second place ranking in 2009," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Other breeds in waiting include the Rottweiler and Shih Tzu which dethroned the Golden Retriever and the Boxer in the Top 5."
Miami’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. German Shepherd Dog |
| 2. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 3. Rottweiler |
| 4. Labrador Retriever |
| 5. Bulldog |
* Registration data pulled from Miami zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The Rottweiler and Bulldog both increased in popularity in Miami in 2009 which mirrors the national trend for both breeds," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Although the German Shepherd rose to become the second most popular breed in the nation in 2009, the Magic City was ahead of the trend and has been caught in a love spell with the German Shepherd for several years."
Milwaukee’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Golden Retriever |
| 4. Rottweiler |
| 5. Boxer |
* Registration data pulled from Milwaukee zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"The German Shepherd rose to the second spot in Milwaukee, mirroring the national trend," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "While the Yorkshire Terrier and Beagle are popular around the nation, there are no small dogs in Milwaukee’s Top 5."
Nashville’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Bulldog |
| 4. Golden Retriever |
| 5. Boxer/ Dachshund** |
*Registration data pulled from Nashville zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
**Tied for 5th (2009)
"While Nashville’s love for the Lab and German Shepherd are consistent with the national trend, the Music City no longer shares the nation’s love for the Yorkshire Terrier," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Yorkie was replaced in Nashville by the Dachshund."
New York City Area’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 2. Labrador Retriever |
| 3. Dachshund |
| 4. Shih Tzu |
| 5. German Shepherd Dog |
* Registration data pulled from New York City zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
"With the Yorkshire Terrier remaining a New York City area favorite and now joined by the Dachsund and Shih Tzu, the small dog reigned supreme in 2009," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Despite a national rise in popularity, the German Shepherd and Bulldog both dropped down the New York City area’s list to rank fifth and seventh respectively."
Newark’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Bull Terrier |
| 2. Shih Tzu** |
| 3. Yorkshire Terrier** |
| 4. Bulldog |
| 5. Pug/ Rottweiler*** |
*Registration data pulled from Newark zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
**Tied for 1st (2009)
***Tied for 5th (2009)
"While many cities across the nation have a top five that resembles the national list, Newark’s favorite breeds are very different," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Newark favors the Bull Terrier, which ranks 57th nationally and is often described as playful and clownish. It’s a great breed for families, which might be why it has found favor in Newark."
Oakland’s Most Popular Breeds 2009
| 1. Yorkshire Terrier |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Labrador Retriever ** |
| 4. Golden Retriever |
| 5. Bulldog / Dachshund*** |
* Registration data pulled from Oakland zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
** Tied for 2nd (2009)
*** Tied for 5th (2009)
"Oakland residents also march to the beat of their own drummer, crowning the Yorkshire Terrier the most beloved breed, beating out the Labrador Retriever, which has been the number one dog nationwide for 19 consecutive years," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Bulldog and Dachshund shook things up by making the Top five after not even cracking the Top ten list in 2008."
