10 top dog breeds

[WillieW]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28695663?pg=11#tdy_Pets_Topbreeds09

[TahitiNut]

1. Wow! Don't work too hard composing that OM. Wouldn't want to strain anything!

:eyes:

#1: Labrador Retriever
The gentle, intelligent and family-friendly Labrador retriever is the most popular breed in the United States for the 18th consecutive year, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. Because of his aptitude to please his master, they excel as guide dogs for the blind, as part of search-and-rescue teams, and in narcotics detection with law enforcement.

This versatile hunting breed comes in three colors – yellow, black and chocolate – and as a double-coated breed that sheds seasonally, regular grooming keeps his coat at its water-resistant best. An ideal sporting and family dog, the Labrador retriever thrives as part of an active family or as a trusted hunting companion.

#4: Golden Retriever
The golden retriever, whose trademark is its light to dark golden-colored coat, possesses great intelligence and an eager-to-please attitude. Originally bred to retrieve game, the working ability that has made the golden retriever such a useful hunting companion also makes him an ideal service and search-and-rescue dog.

This active and energetic Sporting breed can adapt to many different living situations as long as he has plenty of daily exercise. His water-repellent double coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing. With his friendly temperament and striking golden color, this breed is both beautiful to look at and a joy to own.

[KamaAina]

11. There should be a black Lab guide dog across from me right now

alas, Irish's human is out sick today. :(

[TahitiNut]

13. They're extraordinary guide dogs ... AND companion dogs.

Maybe I'm biased, but I regard the Lab as the perfect dog. (Except for shedding, maybe.)

I grew up with all kinds of dogs in the family. As a child, I had a mutt ... terrier mix. Pepper. The first dog I remember was the Doberman my grandparents had when we lived with them while my father was inthe Navy in W2. I was one of her 'puppies' ... just old enough to have my very first pair of 'walking shoes.' Her name was Dinah and she stayed in the kitchen - and I was the "someone' in the kitchen with Dinah. I'd lie on my back on the linoleum floor and kick at her - so she'd grab the wide sole of those first walking shoes and drag me all over the kitchen floor. It was the best fun I can remember besides riding on the pump-style school merry-go-round (which my mother forbade but my uncle helped me sneak onto).

We had other dogs in the family, too -- a Collie, an Irish Setter, a Great Dane, a Dachshund, a Norwegian Elkhound, a German Shepherd, a Scottie, some Pugs, and some mutts. I never met a dog I didn't like -- but the little yappy ones take more effort.

[Warpy]

14. I've met a few dogs I didn't like

but they were universally owned by people I didn't like.

My favorite of all time was a big old Newfoundland retriever. I was babysitting my mother's floor mop dog and he'd try to hide in short grass to jump out at us when I walked the floor mop. He was a wonderful, lovable goof of a dog and the floor mop played along.

If I ever get a dog instead of a cat, it'll be a mutt. The only pure bred dog I'd consider is a big old Newfoundland retriever.

[TahitiNut]

15. Newfies seem to have the most lovable demeanor -- they're teddy bears.

Way, way back when I was young and first married and my wife and I were doing our "due diligence" on dogs, we'd go to dog shows. I'll never forget the Newfie section where one breeder had a sign "Come and hug a Newfie!" On the bench were 4 or 5 Newfies and about 6 kids between the ages of 3 and 7. The kids were doing what kids do ... scrambling, screaming, tickling each other and engaging in kid-mayhem. All on top of and stumbling over the Newfies which were lying there happily and contentedly, tolerating the kids. People (me included) could walk up and pet the dogs, hug the dogs, or scratch 'em where it felt good ... and the Newfies just wallowed in the attention and furor. Not even a hint of aggression or irritability. Since then, I've met several Newfies ... and they ALL had that unflappable attitude. Happy, sociable, and always ready for hugs and petting.

Then again, I almost always stop and pet dogs, no matter what. Briards, Bouviers, and all kinds. I love the goofy awkwardness of young (a year or two old) Great Danes - they're playful and KISSABLE giants. (Yeah... I let 'em kiss me, but not on the lips. Unless I can't dodge quick enough.)

To call me a dog lover would be a gross understatement. Hell, I've been known to stop my car and ask if I could say "hi" to someone's dog. I'm the biggest sucker on the planet. I often carry Milk Bones -- and always give 'em out at Halloween for the folks with dogs.

Labs, however, have the first dibs on me. As a breed, they're at the top of my likes.

[Brazenly Liberal]

22. A friend of ours use to raise Newfies and train them for rescue work

Though with some of them, the real work was in training them when not to rescue someone. :D You'd be minding your own business, going for a dip in the pond, and if Bear saw you, he'd jump in and save your ass whether you needed it or not. He was a great dog, though. Big as a house and incredibly gentle. It wasn't unusual to see two or three kids sprawled across him, watching TV or taking a nap.

[hlthe2b]

16. I love Labs and Goldens enough to deal with the shedding...

what beauties!

[Shardik]

2. thanks for posting this!

As the proud owner of a Lab and a Lab mix, I can understand the popularity that makes them number one.

[sasquatch]

3. Shouldn't this be in the lounge

[rucky]

6. wait for it...

pro-adoption, anti-purebread flamewar in 5...4...3...

it's GD material all the way

[rucky]

4. Ha, ha! Beagle is #5.

suckers

[Joe the Liberal]

5. So it goes.........

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepard
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu


I'm a little surprised by the Yorkie coming in a second.

[truebrit71]

7. Sorry but that list is total horseshit...the number ONE breed is Border Terrier....

...or at least that's what my pup tells me every night!!!

[mod mom]

9. Adorable...I had a terrier that thought she was the missing link between man & canine.

She was 12 lbs of attitude. :hi:

[imaginary girl]

10. Cute dog! I love the play pic. (n/t)

[Stinky The Clown]

17. That guy looks like he has a heart as big as Montana!

[shireen]

20. my niece is a border! cute little rascal!

yes ... i said niece. all my friends' dogs and cats are my nieces and nephews. Auntie shireen always spoils them with treats.

A close friend and former neighbor had a cat, Mr. Puck. He's my god-son. And he hated me because i was mean evil auntie shireen who would make mommy and daddy disappear for days at a time.( I looked after him when they went away on short trips.) That was one pissed-off cat! He would not give me the time of day. Refused to be petted. Would reluctantly eat his treats, even the very special canned tuna treats. And gave me those withering disgusted stares that were so intimidating. Despite all that, i loved the little snob with all my heart. Often, I'd read a book or watch tv in his home, just so he would have someone to ignore.

[Mrs. Overall]

8. Hey, where's the Chinese Crested Dog?

These little hairless dogs are so ugly that they're adorable. I may get one of these someday.

[LSparkle]

12. Dachshund is number 7!!!! YAY! n/t

[ozu]

18. no weimaraner

list invalid.

[KatyaR]

27. Nope, no Boston Terrier--

that REALLY makes the list invalid!

[Dappleganger]

24. WooHOO--my doxies are upset.

They thought they should be #1!


:bounce:

[Delphinus]

26. In my eyes,

they are!

[shireen]

19. i love them all ... breed isn't important. But i have a major weakness for ....

MUTTS!

Mutts rule!!!!

[Brazenly Liberal]

21. I've got two of them

Mr. Tahoe, the Labrador Retriever and Ruby Scubydu, the Beagle, both of them rescue babies. I can easily see why they rank so high. (Though, to be honest, the beagle has to be extra lovable because they drive any reasonable person crazy mad out of their mind!)

[LeftyMom]

23. Here in the real world, the most popular dogs are mutts.

Followed, so far as I can tell, by pitties.

But the AKC isn't making any money off of mutts and pitties, so there you go. :eyes:

[trof]

25. German Shepherd #3. I DEMAND A RECOUNT!

German Shepherds RULE.
;-)

[CBR]

28. Boxers...

Here is ours:

[8 track mind]

29. Personaly i prefer the adopted/ rescued Border Collie

More commonly refered to as "ballus chasus barkus maximus" or "Bestus Friendus most excellentus"

[Upton]

30. I've got two pugs

both females, a black and a fawn. I've always wanted an English Bulldog though, I was surprised to see them make the list.

[Bryn]

31. I have Beauceron

Does anyone know of this breed? Beauceron is rather unknown in United States, but very popular in Europe. They belong in same group as German Shepherd. There are approx. 500 registered beuacerons in USA. They are used as police, service, search/rescue, therapy, etc. and are in a herding group. They're French.

My Shania is a female pure beauceron. She is being trained to be my next assistance dog (hearing/signal). Named after my beloved service dog, Shane. She was 6 years old, black/tan Rottie/German Shepherd mix when she died from drug adversary a year ago. She looked like a beauceron, that's how I came to know this breed. Shane could read over 100 words in sign language and was amazing. I have filed a compliant against her vet for giving her a deadly cocktail of dexamenthasone and Rimadyl when I took her in for her shoulder limp, she was gone in two days after she took those drugs. I don't know the outcome yet.

Before I got Shania, I adopted a lab/rottie/shepherd mix from a rescue group named Rocky so I have two dogs now. Rocky has an appearance of "doberman mix", born without tail. Very sweet!