NEW YORK, March 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Raleigh's top spot in the American Kennel Club's (AKC®) 2017 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S.
The Lab was also recognized as the #1 pup in Boston and Chicago.
Yorkshire Terriers gained popularity in Raleigh, jumping three spots from number eight to number five. Poodles fell out of the city's top five in 2017, landing at number six.
"Raleigh's top three most popular closely mirror the nation's, with Labs, Goldens, and German Shepherd Dogs holding tight to the top spots," said AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo. "Raleigh does not share the rest of the country's love of French Bulldogs, however. The French didn't even crack the city's top 10."
Raleigh's top 5 breeds for 2017:
| Raleigh's Most Popular Breeds 2017 |
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. Golden Retriever |
| 3. German Shepherd Dog |
| 4. Beagle |
| 5. Yorkshire Terrier |
* Registration data pulled from Raleigh zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
The AKC also announced its nationwide rankings today in a press conference at its New York City headquarters. The intelligent, family friendly Labrador Retriever firmly holds on to the number one spot on the most popular list for a record-breaking 27th consecutive year.
While the Labrador Retriever remains a constant at the top of the charts, the big mover and shaker in 2017 was the French Bulldog. The easygoing, playful, adaptable Frenchie not only jumped two spots to number four, it knocked the Beagle out of the top five for the first time since 1998.
| Most Popular Breeds Nationwide 2017 |
| 1. Labrador Retriever |
| 2. German Shepherd Dog |
| 3. Golden Retriever |
| 4. French Bulldog |
| 5. Bulldog |
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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