Top Ten Dog Breeds

The following is a list of the 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the U.S.

1.	Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever (also known as Labrador, Labby or just Lab for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. The Labrador is considered the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the United States (since 1991) the United Kingdom, Poland, and several other countries. More about Labrador Retrievers
2.	Yorkshire Terrier The Yorkshire Terrier (or known as a Yorkie) is a breed of small dog in the terrier category. The long-haired terrier is known for its playful demeanor and distinctive blue and tan coat. Yorkies can be very small, usually weighing not more than 7 pounds (3.18 kg); the standard of this breed does not mention the minimum weight accepted nor does it specify a height. More about Yorkshire Terriers
3.	German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd Dog (GSD), is a breed of large-sized dog that originates from Germany. German Shepherds are a fairly new breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to 1899. Part of the herding group, shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding sheep. Their strength, intelligence and obedience often sees them employed in police and military roles in forces around the world. They are popular as pets and guard dogs because of their loyal and protective nature. More about German Shepherd Dogs
4.	Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever dog breed, was historically developed as a gundog to retrieve shot waterfowl and upland game during hunting. As such they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and an instinctive love of water. Their intelligence and versatility sees them employed in a variety of roles including illegal drug detection, search and rescue, as hunting dogs and as guide dogs.[3] Its friendly, eager-to-please and patient demeanor has also made it one of the most popular family dogs (by registration) in the world today. More about Golden Retrievers
5.	Beagle Dog Breed The Beagle is a breed of medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. They are popular as pets because of their size, even temper, and lack of inherited health problems. More about Beagles
6.	Boxer Dog Breed Developed in Germany, the Boxer is a breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog. The coat is smooth and fawn or brindled, with or without white markings. Boxers are brachycephalic, and have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser and is part of the Molosser group. More about Boxers
7.	Dachshund The dachshund is a short-legged, elongated dog breed of the hound family. The breed's name is German and literally means "badger hound," from [der] Dachs, badger, and [der] Hund, hound. While classified as a hound in English speaking countries, some consider the classification to be in error, speculating that it arose from the fact that the German word hund is similar to the English word hound. In fact many dachshunds, especially the wire haired sub type, exhibit behavior and appearance that is far more similar to the terrier group of dogs. More about Dachshunds
8.	Poodle The Poodle is a breed of dog. Toy, miniature, and standard poodles are distinguished by adult shoulder height. Poodles come in many colors including black, blue, white, cream, red, apricot, silver and brown. They also appear in parti-color, or multi-colors. While multi-color (parti) poodles cannot be shown in conformation shows sponsored by any of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world, or in Fédération Cynologique Internationale shows, they can be entered in other dog sports and in the United Kennel Club show ring, where they are shown separately. More about Poodles
9.	Shih Tzu The Shih Tzu is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs, its vaguely lion-like look being associated with the Tibetan Snowlion. The Shih Tzu therefore also has the nickname "Tibetan temple dog". It is also often known as the "Xi Shi quan", based on the name of Xi Shi, regarded as the most beautiful woman of ancient China, and, less often, the Chrysanthemum Dog, because its face looks very much like the flower, and the Chinese or Tibetan Lion Dog. More about Shih Tzus
10.	Bulldog The Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog or English Bulldog, is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in England. The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds. Bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the mastiff and the pug. More about Bulldogs