Labrador retrievers continue to reign as America's most popular dog, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Labrador retriever has been holding the title as the top breed for 25 years in a row.
AKC has recently released a list of rankings of America's most popular dog breeds in 2015, CBS News reported. The Labrador retriever, which is known for its easy-going nature and loping gait, took the top spot of the annual popularity list.
Labrador retrievers have been holding the title for 25 consecutive years, making it the longest-reigning breed since AKC started tracking in the 1880s. Included in the 2015 top ten most popular dogs are the German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs, beagles, French bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Rottweilers and boxers.
AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo said that the Labrador retriever has an enduring popularity due to its reputation as a family pet, according to Yahoo News. "The Lab checks all the boxes."
"It comes in three different colors," DiNardo added. "Athletic people can play with it, run with it and swim with it. They are family-friendly and get along with others."
But being the most popular breed does not guarantee top honor. The Labrador retriever has never gained top honor at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show since it started in 1887.
CJ, a German short-haired pointer, took the Best in Show award in the 140th edition of the Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show conducted last week, Forbes cited. CJ was able to beat out over 2,700 canines of various breeds. German short-haired pointers were only ranked top 11 in AKC's list.
DiNardo encourages people who want to own dogs to consider both rare and familiar ones. She said that popularity rises and falls due to many factors, and trends can be self-perpetuating.
"The scarcer the breed, the fewer the puppies, and vice versa," she explained. "You may want to be one of those people who help protect and preserve a breed."
