Top Ten Dog Breeds

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are terriers and are in the Terrier group of the American Kennel Club (AKC). They were originally bred to be something called a 'ratter.' This means that people used Yorkshire Terriers to hunt down (chase) and kill rats that were bothering people in their homes and neighborhoods.

This dog, also known as the Yorkie, was developed from mixed breeding (like many purebred dogs) of several other kinds of terriers. Now people are happy with Yorkies the way they are. They are the perfect little companion dog.
More about Yorkshire Terriers

3. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are herding dogs. They were originally bred to herd flocks of sheep and goats.

These days German Shepherds can work as guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue dogs, police dogs, and even herding dogs as they did in the past. Many people like to teach their German Shepherds to pull carts, and to herd sheep. Some German Shepherds also make wonderful therapy dogs who visit sick and elderly people.
More about German Shepherds

4. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are sporting dogs. They were originally bred to retrieve water birds, like ducks. With Goldens helping them, people long ago could find food to eat.

These days Goldens can work as assistance dogs for people with disabilities, as search and rescue dogs, as retrievers in field trials, and more. They enjoy agility, flyball, rally, swimming, and competitive obedience.
More about Golden Retrievers

5. Beagle

Beagles are hound dogs. They were originally bred to hunt using their noses. They hunted using their noses more than their eyes. Beagles are sometimes referred to as scent hounds. The small Beagles hunted rabbits and the larger ones hunted deer. Beagles have a very strong sense of smell.

6. Boxer

Boxers are working dogs that came from Germany long ago. They came from dogs that were originally bred to hunt wild animals. Now, Boxers have a strong instinct to guard and protect the people around him.

These days Boxers can do many different activities. They are good companions and sensitive therapy dogs. They enjoy fun activities like flyball, agility, and tracking. Some are used as service dogs, police dogs, and guard dogs. More about Boxers

7. Dachshund

Dachshunds are hound dogs. They were originally much larger than they are today, and were bred to hunt badgers in Germany. Later, smaller sizes were bred so the dogs could hunt smaller animals, like foxes, rabbits, and weasels.

These days Dachshunds can do many different activities. They are good companions and participate in obedience, agility, conformation, go-to-ground (earthdog competitions), canine freestyle, and tracking. More about Dachshunds

8. Poodle

Originally Poodles were duck retrievers. A Poodle would jump into the water and swim to the duck he wanted to retrieve. They were bred to be very good swimmers.

These days Poodles can do many different activities. They are good companions and participate in obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving, conformation, canine freestyle, hunting, and tracking. They also make excellent rescue dogs and service dogs.
More about Poodles

9. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu has been around for a very long time. In the countries of Tibet and China, these little dogs were given to Chinese Royalty as gifts. Shih Tzu were, and still are, the perfect companion or lap dog. Being a housepet was the perfect job for a Shih Tzu.

Nowadays, Shih Tzu are still wonderful lap dogs. They also can compete in obedience, participate in agility, and make a good therapy dog.

10. Bulldog (New in top ten for 2007)

The Bulldog originated in the British Isles. The very first Bulldogs were bred to be fierce fighters with a courageous personality. But fighting became illegal and Bulldogs were soon lovers, not fighters. For more than a hundred and fifty years, Bulldogs have been bred to be kind and gentle family pets.

Today, Bulldogs can participate in obedience, agility, and flyball competitions. Some are active therapy dogs visiting people who are sick or disabled. More about Bulldogs

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Click here for information on mixed breed dogs.