Call or Text: 408-930-1322
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The Most Popular Dog in American Homes Has Varied over the Years
This section, regarding popular breeds of dogs, is based on total registration for the particular breed with the American Kennel Club. Slightly different conclusions might be drawn from annual registrations. And, of course, we don’t have the numbers for dogs that are not registered.
Nor do we have the numbers for purposefully bred hybrid dogs of two specific breeds - like labradoodles or cockapoos. These dogs, with parents that are different AKC recognized breeds, are often called 'designer' dogs. These designer dogs are increasingly popular, particularly because some poodle blends are thought to be hypoallergenic (less likely that people with allergies will have a reaction to them.)
Nor do we have the numbers for purposefully bred hybrid dogs of two specific breeds - like labradoodles or cockapoos. These dogs, with parents that are different AKC recognized breeds, are often called 'designer' dogs. These designer dogs are increasingly popular, particularly because some poodle blends are thought to be hypoallergenic (less likely that people with allergies will have a reaction to them.)
The black and white morkie (above) is a blend of Yorkshire terrier and Maltese breed dogs. The goldendoodle is a mixture of golden retriever and poodle.
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Early 20th Century: The Boston Terrier Reigns as Most Popular
Between 1915 and 1940, American Kennel Club statistics were collected every five years, instead of yearly. Between 1905 and 1935 the Boston Terrier was consistently either first or second place.
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The picture on the left is from a book published in 1906 about the care and breeding of Boston Terriers.
The picture on the right is a present day Boston Terrier puppy.
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German Shepherds Led the Pack from 1925 through 1936
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In 1925, based on the popularity of Rin Tin Tin, German Shepherds became the most popular dog in the U.S., holding their first place position until 1936. Rin Tin Tin was a canine hero featured in stories on the radio, in film, and on television.
Just before the end of World War I, an American soldier serving in France found a few surviving puppies in a bombed out kennel in France. The soldier, Lee Duncan, named one of the puppies Rin Tin Tin, after a puppet called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers for good luck.
Rin Tin Tin returned at the war’s end with Duncan to his home in Los Angeles, California. In 1922 at a Shepherd Dog Club of America show, Rin Tin Tin amazed everyone with his ability to jump 11 feet 9 inches.
Just before the end of World War I, an American soldier serving in France found a few surviving puppies in a bombed out kennel in France. The soldier, Lee Duncan, named one of the puppies Rin Tin Tin, after a puppet called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers for good luck.
Rin Tin Tin returned at the war’s end with Duncan to his home in Los Angeles, California. In 1922 at a Shepherd Dog Club of America show, Rin Tin Tin amazed everyone with his ability to jump 11 feet 9 inches.
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Rin Tin Tin in the Movies
Following a Shepherd Dog Show of America appearance, a man named Charles Jones approached Lee Duncan and asked if he could try out his new camera that made moving pictures.
Novograph Pictures Company purchased Jones' film and offered Duncan $350 to make further films of Rin Tin Tin in action.
Duncan accepted and knew at that moment there could be a future for him and his dog in films. Rin Tin Tin’s first starring role was in 1923's “Where The North Begins.” This film was a huge success and has often been credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. This film was a silent movie, but Rin Tin Tin went on to play in the “talkies.”
Novograph Pictures Company purchased Jones' film and offered Duncan $350 to make further films of Rin Tin Tin in action.
Duncan accepted and knew at that moment there could be a future for him and his dog in films. Rin Tin Tin’s first starring role was in 1923's “Where The North Begins.” This film was a huge success and has often been credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. This film was a silent movie, but Rin Tin Tin went on to play in the “talkies.”
Your Dog May Not Be RinTinTin, But Still Needs Regular Walks
Call me (Michelle Halpern Pro Dog Walker) and get your one-of-a-kind wonderful dog going out with a pro walker.
- $30/half hour walk.
Most Popular Breed of Dog in the U.S. from 1937 - 1951
American Cocker Spaniels were the most popular dog in the United States from 1937 all the way through to 1951.
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Besides our regular dog walking, Emily and I can tend to your dog or cat while you are away. We come to your house and feed and visit with your pet several times during the day. In the case of a dog, we take your pup for a walk each time we visit. We visit, feed, and play with your cat.
While we are there we will also bring in your mail and water your plants, if you would like us to do so. We keep you posted on how your pet is doing. Should your dog or cat show signs of illness while you are gone, we will contact you and take your pet to the veterinarian, if necessary. |
The Beagle Scores First Place in 1952 and Holds It Until 1959
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Beagles became the number one dog in 1952 and remained in first place until 1959. The beagle’s ascent to first place in popularity was probably associated with the advent of the Peanuts cartoon strip, with Snoopy, the beagle. Snoopy made his first appearance in the strip in October 1950, two days after the Peanuts cartoon strip began. Snoopy is shown interacting with all of the kids in the neighborhood, similar to the dog Pete in the Our Gang comedies.
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April 9, 1965, Charles Schultz's Peanuts comic street characters are on the cover of Time magazine.
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Poodles Hold the Number One Position from 1960 until 1982
Poodles became the most popular breed in 1960, reigning for the next twenty-two years until 1982.
The Poodle originated in Germany, where it is called the Pudel. The English word "poodle" comes from the German word “pudel” or ‘puddeln,” which means “to splash in the water.” The breed was standardized in France, where it was commonly used as a retriever.
Kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club, generally recognize three sizes, standard, miniature, and toy, as sizes for Poodles. Some kennel clubs recognize four sizes - standard, medium, miniature, and toy.
The Poodle originated in Germany, where it is called the Pudel. The English word "poodle" comes from the German word “pudel” or ‘puddeln,” which means “to splash in the water.” The breed was standardized in France, where it was commonly used as a retriever.
Kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club, generally recognize three sizes, standard, miniature, and toy, as sizes for Poodles. Some kennel clubs recognize four sizes - standard, medium, miniature, and toy.
This group of poodles includes a poodle on an agility course, a poodle cropped in a formal 'frou frou' style, a poodle enjoying the outdoors, and an impostor.
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The American Cocker Spaniel Re-Took First Place in 1982
The American Cocker Spaniel retook first place in 1982 and held until 1990.
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The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel. These spaniels were original bred as gun dogs to work with bird hunters - to use their sense of smell to flush birds into the air to be shot, and to use their eyes and nose to locate the bird once downed, and then to retrieve the bird. The two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in the US and the UK.
The first spaniel in America came on the Mayflower in 1620. By the 1920s the English and American varieties of cocker spaniel had become noticeably different and in 1946 the American Kennel Club recognized the English type as a separate breed.
The major differences in appearance between the English and American varieties is that the American cocker spaniel is smaller with a shorter back, a domed head, and a shorter muzzle, while the English variety is taller with a narrower head and chest.
The first spaniel in America came on the Mayflower in 1620. By the 1920s the English and American varieties of cocker spaniel had become noticeably different and in 1946 the American Kennel Club recognized the English type as a separate breed.
The major differences in appearance between the English and American varieties is that the American cocker spaniel is smaller with a shorter back, a domed head, and a shorter muzzle, while the English variety is taller with a narrower head and chest.
The Labrador Retriever Has Been #1 in Popularity in the US since 1991
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The Labrador Retriever - #1 Since 1991
The Labrador is an exceptionally popular dog. In the last several years the Labrador Retriever has been the breed with the largest number of annual registration at the American Kennel Club (USA), the Canadian Kennel Club, and Australian National Kennel Council.
Most Popular Breed in the World
In both the United States and the United Kingdom there are twice as many Labradors registered as the next most popular breed. If the comparison is limited to dog breeds of a similar size, then there are around 3 - 5 times as many Labradors registered in both countries as the next most popular breeds, the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever.
The Labrador is an exceptionally popular dog. In the last several years the Labrador Retriever has been the breed with the largest number of annual registration at the American Kennel Club (USA), the Canadian Kennel Club, and Australian National Kennel Council.
Most Popular Breed in the World
In both the United States and the United Kingdom there are twice as many Labradors registered as the next most popular breed. If the comparison is limited to dog breeds of a similar size, then there are around 3 - 5 times as many Labradors registered in both countries as the next most popular breeds, the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever.
Call or Text:
408-930-1322
Email:
[email protected]
