America's Top Dog Breeds for 2011

Published February 28, 2012

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The Labrador Retriever tops the American Kennel Club's top dog breeds for 2011.

We all have our own personal favorites. We love the Golden Retriever because of his playful demeanor and his ability to never fail to live up to a game of fetch. We love Yorkies for being balls of energy, and we love Dachshunds for being just so darn cute. But who is America's favorite dog?

Earlier today, the American Kennel Club released their breed statistics for the 2011 calendar year, indicating (according to their registration) America's top dog breeds by popularity. Some of the dogs who made the list might surprise you, while others (like the Labrador Retriever) may not:

2011's Most Popular Dog Breeds (as per the American Kennel Club)

SLIDESHOW: Petside's Top 10 Registered Dog Breeds of 2011

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Labrador Retriever is still America's most popular dog, claiming the honor for the 21st consecutive year.

Notably, however, seems to be America's growing propensity to lean towards larger dog breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler, as opposed to smaller dogs like the Pekingese (who won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the form of Malachy the Pekingese).

Other notable trends included coonhounds (the Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound) seemingly falling out of favor, while terriers (the Yorkshire Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier) seemed to gain popularity.

What are your thoughts on the AKC releasing their top dog breeds for 2011. Do you own a dog breed that made the list? Share in a comment!

Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

Filed Under: News & Blogs, News
Tags: Dogs, 2011 top dog breeds, AKC, top dog breeds

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Comments (13)

Debiy (Unverified)

Added 03-07-2012 12:59pm

I don't understand why Samoyeds are never on the list! Ever since I got my first Sammy, about 20 yrs ago, I just can't get another breed. Even with all the brushing & vacuuming they are well worth the trouble! My beautiful Ayla is the sweetest dog I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and all the Sammy's I've known are like that. Very baby, kid, small animal, and ANY animal or person friendly; they make Lassie look mean! LOL They are very smart too! My first Sammy, Nipper, once found one of our kittens that had gotten lost in the woods and brought it back to me, after telling him to go find it, and he was carrying it very gently in his mouth like the mother cat would do! Samoyed's are GREAT dogs. So don't ever get one, you might never go back!

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 03-07-2012 11:53am

I'm surprised the Bichon Frise didn't make the list--they're one of the best family dogs of the breeds. However, I do agree that all dogs are awesome!

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 03-07-2012 11:03am

I really don't believe that the Stafford shire or Pitts are not on the list ! I really think that the American Kennel Club is very Prejudice and if the vote was from the public they would have topped the list hands down...However all dogs are Awesome <3 !!!

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 03-07-2012 03:25pm

This is because the AKC does not accept dogs under the label of "pit bull" so the count would go toward the Am Staff. However, a lot of pit owners will not dual register as an Am Staff because the parents were registered as APBT with another registry, or more likely, not registered at all so their numbers would not count for this either.

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Barbara

Added 03-07-2012 01:12pm

I agree, my American pit bull is awesome (and quite spoiled), She rocks! Lucy is such a sweetheart! Her bark demands attention, but beware she won't drown you while she licking you. I love my Lucy

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Gatesthegrey (Unverified)

Added 02-29-2012 02:22pm

Greyhounds!!! I have one beautiful Gentelman now and unfortunately had two put his friend and mine down the monday before last Christmas due to lung cancer. I miss him very much but am still thankfull for having Dashiel by my side. I miss you Gates.

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 02-29-2012 02:01pm

My Family has a Mini-Chiuhauha right now as the family dog. And my girlfriend has a Yorkie. So I'm surrounded by "baby" dogs right now!! Don't get me wrong, as much as I like to hold them and as adorably cute they are..I myself would much rather a Rottwieler. I've wanted one since I was about 10. Someday soon I hope to be a proud owner of a Rottwieler.