Labrador Retriever Reigns Supreme Once Again In Houston

Nationally, Labrador Retriever Remains America's Most Popular As Bigger Breeds Shake up the List

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Houston's top spot in the American Kennel Club's (AKC^®) 2012 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S.

"Bulldogs have captured the hearts of Houstonians," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson.  "A wonderful family pet, this loveable breed is Houston's second most popular breed and entered the top 5 nationally in 2012."

Houston's top 5 breeds for 2012 compared to 2011:

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

Among the Changes in Houston's Rankings:

• Rottweilers rose to fifth place, swapping spots with the Boxer who fell to seventh in 2012.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels moved up the ranks.  The breed entered the top 10 in 2012.

The AKC also announced its nationwide rankings today.  Proving that bigger really is better, the American Kennel Club announced that the Bulldog has muscled its way into the top 5, becoming the fifth most popular dog in the U.S. according to AKC Registration Statistics, bumping the tiny Yorkshire Terrier into sixth place for the first time since 2003.  The Golden Retriever also pushed its way back to the top, overtaking the Beagle for third place, and Rottweilers continued their climb up the top 10 list by taking ninth place away from the Dachshund, both adding to the bigger breed trend.  Labrador Retriever lovers have again spoken – the playful, family friendly breed remains the number one most popular breed in the U.S. for the 22^nd consecutive year, tying with the Poodle for the longest reign in the top spot.  Visit www.akc.org for the complete list.

Watch all of AKC's recognized breeds compete during the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship broadcast on the ABC Television Network, Saturday, February 2, 2013. Please check local listings for time.

In addition, the AKC expanded its litter of recognized breeds on January 1 to include the Chinook and Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, growing AKC's family to 177 breeds.

Get social with the AKC!  Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

To become a fan of the AKC on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/americankennelclub. To follow the AKC on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/akcdoglovers.

SOURCE American Kennel Club

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