Well, it's a little late, but I thought that I'd publish the AKC's 2011 most popular dog list, in case our viewers haven't run by it anywhere else:
10. Shih Tzu
9. Poodle
8. Dachshund
7. Boxer
6. Bulldog
5. Golden Retriever
4. Beagle
3. Yorkshire Terrier
2. German Shepherd
1. Labrador Retriever
As usual (for 20 years now) the Labrador Retriever tops the list. In fact, this list is an exact copy of the 2010 list. I guess Americans are fairly consistent. You'll notice that the poodle is number 9. Not too shabby, considering that the AKC recognizes 161 distinct breeds!
On another blog, I saw a reader say something like "Why isn't the Bishon on the list? Everyone in my neighborhood has a Bishon." The truth is, these ten breeds have really solidified their place in American culture. While the Bishon is a popular and beloved breed across the country, these breeds have cultivated an almost timeless following that may be extremely difficult to beat for decades (as proven by the dominant Labrador).
We poodle lovers keep our hopes high! Maybe, some day, the poodle (like our lovely miniature red poodles) will be the first to beat out the Labs. Maybe not... Time will tell. Hopefully some breed can do it. Don't get me wrong, Labs are beautiful... but I think the underdogs (pun intended) deserve a chance!
