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The nation's most sought after dogs of 2016 were unveiled in
New York City on Tuesday by the American Kennel Club, a purebred
dog registry that releases a list of top dog breeds each year.
Labrador retrievers, commonly called "labs," have held their
slot as the most popular breed for each of the past 26 years,
making them the longest reigning leader of the pack.
"Labs, they're just great with people; they're great with
everyone," said Theresa Viesto, who breeds labs in her hometown
of Newtown, Connecticut, and is registered with the Club. "You
never hear about a lab getting into a dog fight."
Viesto and her 4-year-old yellow lab, Reggie, attended the news
conference alongside a roomful of stretching, scratching and
wrestling dogs and puppies representing the top ten breeds.
Placing second, third and fourth were the German shepherd,
golden retriever and English bulldog, respectively. Beagles were
fifth most popular while French bulldogs placed sixth. The top
six breeds remained the same as in 2015.
Poodles were seventh and Rottweilers eighth, each jumping one
spot higher than the last lineup. Yorkshire terriers dropped two
spots to place ninth and boxers held firm in the tenth spot.
While the most popular list is generally a reshuffling of
longtime top breeds, Rottweilers have seen a resurgence in
popularity recently after falling out of favor in the late
1990s, said Gina DiNardo, the Kennel Club's vice president.
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It was not clear why Rottweilers were making a comeback - the last
time the breed placed at its current level was in 1997 - but a
strong economy generally prompts people to seek bigger and costlier
dogs, including Rottweilers, DiNardo said.
Rottweiler owner Alexandra Niles, from Scotch Plains, New Jersey,
said it was the breed's devoted nature that won her heart. "They'll
pretty much do anything for you," said Niles, with her hefty
4-year-old Rottweiler, Talos, sprawled out on the floor next to her.
"He never leaves my side," Niles said about her companion, adding
that he enjoys swimming and "doesn't mind" being dressed up in
costumes.
The American Kennel Club maintains the country's largest registry of
purebred dogs. Once a breed is added to the list of some 200 breeds
and varietals currently recognized by the club, it is eligible to
compete in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Perhaps ironically, Westminster has never selected a Labrador
retriever as winner in the shows 141-year history.
"Hopefully someday they will be," DiNardo said.
(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Marguerita
Choy)
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