Did you know that according to the World Canine Organization, there are currently 339 breeds of dog currently in the world, and some are much more common and beloved than others. Every year the American Kennel Club releases its statistics on the most popular dog breeds in America, and not surprisingly, the list does not change drastically from year, and the Top 5 Most Popular Dog Breeds has been mostly unchanged for years! Check out the list below to see the most current top 5 (2015), and learn some neat trivia about the top breeds while you're at it!
1) Labrador Retriever
One of the most popular breeds in both the US and the UK
This breed is often used for disability assistance and as therapy dogs
The breed was created in the 1880s when British noblemen specifically bred them to be gundogs
Foundational breed of what is now the lab was the St. John's Water Dog
Their most popular coat colors are yellow and chocolate
2) German Shepherd
Their officially recognized name is "German Shephed Dog" or GSD
In Britain they used to be called Alsatians
A fairly recent dog breed, they only date back to 1899
Popular for disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police and military roles, and even acting
German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence
3) Golden Retriever
Named 'retriever' because of their ability to retrieve shot game undamaged
They have an instinctive love of water
They are also easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards
Often used as a guide dog for the blind and a hearing dog for the deaf
They are very friendly, so they do not make good guard dogs
4) Bulldog
They are a muscular, heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose
Recognized as excellent family pets because of their tendency to form strong bonds with children
The designation "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull baiting
Bulldogs are one of the few breeds with a naturally short tail
Bulldogs' lives are relatively short. At five to six years of age they start to show signs of aging
5) Beagle
A well-loved a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting rabbits
With a great sense of smell and their tracking instinct, the Beagle is often employed as detection dog
A popular pet due to its size, good temper, and lack of inherited health problems
Although beagle-type dogs have existed for 2,500 years, the modern breed was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s from several breeds
Progenitor breeds include the Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier
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