AKC TOP BREEDSWhen we spoke about the hottest and trendiest breeds on "Pet Central," our phones were busier than a Scottish terrier, all you folks just couldn't get through. So, here are the top 20 most popular breeds, according to the American Kennel Club dog registration figures, followed by a story a wrote explaining what makes some pups hot 'n trendy and others not:
The Labrador retriever, America's most popular dog in the 1990's has retained its title. Also, according the American Kennel Club (AKC) 1999 registration statistics, the golden retriever remains the second most popular breed for the second consecutive year. Last year when the 1998 AKC registration numbers came out, the big dogs were the big losers while nearly every toy breed dog increased in numbers. This year, the most prevailing trend is overall registrations of all pure bred dogs have dropped. This makes three consecutive years that overall registration numbers are down, and it's true of both big dogs and little dogs. For example, shih tzu registrations are down 10 per cent; American cocker spaniels fell by 13 per cent and rottweilers dipped a decisive 24 per cent. What makes this overall decline more disconcerting is that various breeds have been added to the AKC list in the past three years, including the Jack Russell terrier and lesser known breeds including the the Havanese, Lowchen and Polish lowland sheepdog. With more breeds, one would think numbers would increase. What's more, despite the decline in AKC registration numbers, by all accounts dog ownership is actually at an all time high. (According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are 52.9 million dogs in U.S. households. The American Pet Product Manufacturer's Association 1999-2000 National Pet Owners Survey reports 54.6 million dogs). More than anything else, this simply means people aren't bothering to fork over the $10 registration fee concedes AKC Board member and longtime breeder Carmen Battaglia. The old blue slip - as it was called - that owners were required to fill out was complicated, which is why a new form has been devised. Time will tell if that new form will increase registrations, as Battaglia predicts it will. "It's also just plain
laziness," says Chris Walkowicz, a German shepherd/bearded collie breeder
for 35 years and author of "Your average pet owner doesn't understand why they should bother," adds Julie Lux, a Dalmatian breeder for ten years and public relations director of the Dalmatian Club of America. Battaglia says these are valid points, issues the AKC are now examining. However, other points are almost certainly contributing to the decline in registrations. One factor is simple demographics. While dog ownership is at an all time high, it doesn't necessarily correlate with puppy purchases since dog owners are enjoying companionship of an increasingly aging canine population because dogs are living longer than ever before. Walkowicz, who resides in Sherrard, IL, notes that new AKC required DNA testing (there are now available DNA tests to search for genetic diseases) has forced some commercial breeders to stop registering their dogs. "Of course, puppy mills don't want to pay for this testing, and they hardly care about responsible breeding in the first place." Some commercials breeders in Missouri have banned together to oppose this testing, and have decided not to register their puppies, breeders in three other states are considering the same position. "This could mean a continued decline in registration numbers, but for a good reason," cheers Walkowicz. "If consumers are educated to look for proof of DNA testing and AKC registration, so-called breeders who can't show this might ultimately go out of business. Battaglia points out that the AKC has enjoyed increased success at putting irresponsible breeders out of business, averaging 60 suspensions a month. This also contributes to lower overall registration numbers. "When all is said
and done, lower overall registration isn't necessarily a bad thing - you
have to carefully consider the reasons," says Ann Rogers Clark, revered
all breed judge, long time poodle breeder and author of In fact, breeders may be downright overjoyed if their breed declines in popularity. Dalmatians fell from their all time high at number 11 (on the AKC registration list) in 1995 to its current place at number 40, which is down to the lowest level the breed has been at since 1977. There's no doubt, the Dalmatians skyrocketed in the first place because of their 101 movie fame (The animated video was released in 1991 and the live action film in '96). The Dalmatian Club of America reacted by launching an education program. Lux, who is from Kansas City, MO, explains many breeders stopped breeding Dalmatians all together. "They figured if you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem," she says. "So, responsible breeders weren't breeding - or at least not nearly as often as they had been. Ridiculous misinformation - like Dalmatians are somehow inherently dangerous - has scared off some people, as well as legitimate public education. As demand has begun to diminish the irresponsible money hungry breeders and puppy mills are focusing on other media dogs like the Jack Russell terrier (which jumped from 78 to 74 on the 1999 AKC chart) and even Chihuahuas (number seven)." The Rottweiler fell from number two on the AKC list in 1997 to its current position at number eight, and continues to decline with each year. "These are large and powerful dogs, not suited for all owners," says Barb Williams of the Chicago, IL based rescue group Recycled Rotts. Her group often receives two dozen dogs a month, many of these dogs relinquished to rescue aren't trained and are from puppy mills or backyard breeders. While Williams is pleased that registered rotties are continuing their steady dip in popularity, she knows gang bangers don't register their dogs. "I'm sure in reality there are still nearly as many rotties as there are Labs and goldens," she says. "For the most part it's not all those registered Rottweilers the public ought to worry about, it's these dogs that are specifically bred and raised to be aggressive, often from the inner city." "Being in the Top-10 isn't always good, it really means buyer beware," says Rogers Clark, who lives in Greenwood, DE. This is even true for the current one/two AKC punch, Labradors and golden retrievers. Aside from increasing health problems, dog trainers throughout the country report aggression in both breeds which is apparently genetically based. "Clearly, according to the breed standards and what the public expects of these breeds - aggression in Labradors and golden's is not called for - but it's happening." Walkowicz adds, "As a general rule, you're always better off lower on that list, personally I'd consider a Chesapeake Bay retriever (number 41), curly-coated retriever (number 115) or flat coated retriever (number 100) before considering the far more popular Labrador or golden." |
