Breed of the Month--Most Popular Dog Breeds

For this month's Breed of the Month, I would like to do a blog on the most popular breeds in the United States, and a few other places around the world.

Most Popular Dog Breeds

Oddly enough, the Top 5 most popular dog breeds in the United States were the same for both 2012 and 2013.  Below is the list of the Top Five.

Top 5 Dog Breeds in the US

#5  Bulldog

The Bulldog makes an excellent watchdog and although he does have strong protective instincts, he is one of the most gentle breeds.  Today's Bulldog is extremely affectionate and happy to be around other people and pets when properly socialized.  The Bulldog can be very stubborn and requires a firm, but patient owner.
(See Breed of the Month--Bulldog for more information.)



#4  Beagle
The Beagle's small size and charming personality has made the breed very popular.  A great size for apartment living, many city-dwelling pet owners love the breed.  Properly training and socializing your Beagle from day one is important.  Beagles do not generally like being left alone and can make some very loud objections to your absence; something to keep in mind if you are considering this breed.
(See Breed of the Month--Beagle for more information.)


#3  Golden Retriever
Smart, sociable, and always wanting to please their human, Golden Retrievers are a great breed.  Easy-going and lovable, the Golden gets along well with other dogs, other animals, and children of all ages.  Golden's are easily trainable using positive reinforcement, making them well sought after by service dog organizations all over the United States.
(See Breed of the Month--Golden Retriever for more information.)


#2  German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dog is one of my most favorite breeds.  The German Shepherd is adaptable, intelligent, and trainable.  It is one of the most recognized breeds in the world and is aptly used for police work, army work, search and rescue, scent discrimination, and as guide and assistance dogs.  German Shepherds are extremely loyal, intelligent, and brave.  Shepherds bond very closely with their family and have an instinct to protect them.  German Shepherds are quick learners, but require an owner using consistent positive reinforcement training.
(See Breed of the Month--German Shepherd.)


#1  Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is intelligent, affectionate, and willing to please.  Labs seem to understand that children need to be treated with an extra gentle touch.  Labs are generally high-energy and need lots of regular exercise, but just about any activity will do.  Labs are great with other dogs, other animals, and children of all ages.  Labs love to please and enjoy working for their owners.  Their excellent temperament and training ability not only makes them the most popular dog breed for owners, but also makes them highly popular in the use of police and service dogs.  Labs enjoy most any activity including:  fetch, swimming, hunting, agility, tracking, and obedience.  Many mixed-breed dogs have Lab in them.
(See Breed of the Month--Labrador Retriever.)



Top Breeds Around the World

Along with the United States, several other countries rank the Labrador Retriever as the number one dog breed.  They include:
Great Britain
Brazil
Israel
Sweden




Ranked #2 in the United States, the German Shepherd takes the top spot for most popular dog in both Germany and France.




Ranked #5 on the U.S. list, the Bulldog ranks the number one spot for South Africa.





Not gracing the Top 5 for the U.S. most popular breed, the American Staffordshire Terrier is rated most popular for Russia.  The AmStaff has an affectionate nature and loyalty for his family.  The AmStaff is adept at guarding, hunting, herding, and weight pulling.  It is vitally important to socialize and train this breed from day one, as they can become aggressive towards other dogs is not done so.  This is a very powerful breed that requires an owner willing to put in the time and training required.  I do not recommend this breed for a first-time dog owner.  This breed (along with other Pitbull-type breeds) are steadily gaining popularity in the United States.
(See Breed of the Month--American Staffordshire Terrier.)


Also missing the Top 5 list for the United States, the Doberman Pinscher is rated the number 2 dog in Israel.  The Doberman Pinscher excels in many activities including:  police work, therapy, search and rescue, and protection.  The breed is very intelligent and graceful, yet powerful and intimidating.  This breed is often used for home protection.  As with any powerful breed, the Doberman Pinscher is not necessarily a breed I would recommend for a first-time dog owner.
(See Breed of the Month--Doberman Pinscher.)

Remember, just because a breed is considered the most popular, does not mean its the right breed for you.  If you are truly considering adding a new dog to your family, please do your research.  If you have a breed in mind, look them up on-line and see if the aspects of the breed actually match your lifestyle.  Please do NOT get a dog breed based on looks alone.  Each breed has characteristic about it that are unique.  Properly choosing an appropriate dog breed for your lifestyle, family, and energy level, will ensure a happy life for your entire family.

Need help choosing the right dog breed for you?  Check out this previous post.

Doberman Ears

I am currently working with two different Doberman Pinschers.  One owner has chose to crop the Doberman's ears, and one has not.  It is interesting to see the drastically different look in the two dogs.  Generally, when most people think of a Doberman, they think of the dog with cropped ears and a short cropped tail.  Left natural, a Doberman's ears are more flat and flipped forward, like a Labrador Retriever.  Proponents of the crop ear Dobies mark many reasons for having the procedure done including:  less risk of ear infection, being able to better pin point sound, and having the dog recognizable as a Doberman.  Many people train Doberman Pinschers to be guard dogs and crop the ears and tail so that would-be attackers have nothing to grab onto.  Ear cropping is usually done between 7 and 9 weeks of age.  The ear training process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the dog and style of ear crop. There are three different types of ear crops:
1) The military crop.  This is the smallest crop, with a short length and wide base.
2) The medium crop.  Slightly longer length and smaller base.
3) The show crop.  The longest length, with the smallest base.

Duke, 4 months old.

Duke must have his ears re-taped about one a week.

Duke's ear taking a breather...

what a cutie!

Dobermans with cropped ears.

Boomer, 8 months old.

Boomer's ears have not been cropped.

The non-cropped Doberman ears are flat and floppy.

Breed of the Month--Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher


Color:  Black with rust markings, stage red, solid red, chocolate or fawn with rust markings.
Height:  10-12.5 inches
Weight:  9-13 lbs
Life Span:  15 years or more


Breed Health Concerns:  Epilepsy, heart problems, patellar lunation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, eye problems, cervical disk problems.


Coat:  Dense, close, smooth, shiny, straight, short
Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Although this breed looks like a smaller version of the Doberman Pinscher, the two breeds are actually not related.  The Miniature Pinscher comes from breeds including:  Italian Greyhounds, terriers, Dachshunds.  The breed comes from the word "pinscher," which refers to the way the dogs actually attack vermin.  The dog literally pinches his prey.  The "Min Pin" is the top toy breed in Italy, Holland, and Denmark.

It is important to properly socialize this breed and to not allow him to get too spoiled.  The Min Pin is a fun-loving, self-assured dog that bonds very quickly with his family.  This breed does enjoy using his voice and can become a real behavior problem if not properly trained and managed.

Exercise:
The Miniature Pinscher enjoys getting exercise by accompanying his owners anywhere, as much as possible.  He also enjoys draining mental and physical energy with obedience and agility.  A short walk each day will be enough exercise for this toy breed.

Grooming:
The Min Pin coat is easily cared for with occasional brushing and rub downs.  Keep the face clean.

Training:
This little dog is athletic and able; he does not need to be carried around everywhere he goes.  In fact, it is better for the dog to walk alongside his owner than to be carried by him.  Socialization is important and training from puppyhood is key.  Short, reward-based, and motivational training sessions are best.

Did you hear something?

I think I'm seeing double.

Breed of the Month--Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher

Color:  Black and brown, black with rust markings, fawn, blue, red with rust.
Height:  Males:  26-28.5 inches/  Females:  24-27 inches
Weight:  Males:  88-99 lbs/  Females:  70.5-77 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Cancer, chronic active hepatitis, von Willebrand disease, cervical vertebral instability, hypothyroidism, bloat.

Coat:  Close lying, short, smooth, hard
Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The Doberman Pinscher was created in the late 1860s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who was in need of a breed that was a tough, smart, reliable guardian.  The Doberman Pinscher gain traits from many breed including:  the Rottweiler, terriers, shepherds, and the weimaraner.

Today the Doberman Pinscher excels at many activities including:  police work, therapy, search and rescue, and protection.  This breed is very intelligent and graceful, yet intimidating to many.  This is a very powerful breed, and I would not necessarily recommend them for first time dog owners.  Owners of the Doberman Pinscher must do their research and truly understand the needs and strength of the breed.

Exercise:
Good daily walks and playtime everyday is very important for this breed.  The Doberman Pinscher is very intelligent and needs daily mental exercise as well.  This breed benefits greatly from interactive games that also drain energy.

Grooming:
The occasional soft brush or hound glove is sufficient for the Doberman Pinscher's coat.

Training:
This breed is very eager to please his owners and enjoys learning.  He is alert and responsive, and very highly trainable.  Socialization to all animals and people is important.  This breed enjoys being challenged.