Labrador Retriever Reigns Supreme Once Again In Chicago

NEW YORK, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Chicago's top spot in the American Kennel Club's (AKC^®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S.

The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Washington DC, Seattle, and Boston, among others.

The Labrador Retriever held strongly to the #1 spot in Chicago, but there were certainly some shifts and shake-up's in the city's top ten. French Bulldogs rose from 3^rd to 2^nd, pushing German Shepherd Dogs down to the number three spot. Siberian Huskies jumped from number 11 in 2015 to 8, making the top ten in 2016. Similarly, Doberman Pinschers moved up from 12^th to 8^th.

"The Labrador Retriever may hold the top spot for now, but the French Bulldog is quickly rising up the ranks," said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo. "The Frenchie holds the number two spot in 2016; maybe the playful breed will be Chicago's top dog next year."

Chicago's top 5 breeds for 2016

* Registration data pulled from Chicago zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service

The AKC also announced its nationwide rankings today in a press conference at its new pet care space, AKC Canine Retreat.  The intelligent, family friendly Labrador Retriever firmly holds on to the number one spot on the most popular list for a record-breaking 26^th consecutive year.

While the Labrador Retriever continues its reign as America's dog, the Rottweiler has been slowly but surely rising up the list over the past decade.  The confident, loyal and loving Rottie was the eighth most popular breed in 2016, its highest ranking since landing at number two in 1997.   The Rottweiler has risen nine spots over the past decade and is poised for a comeback.

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The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.

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SOURCE American Kennel Club

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