“Bigger breeds are making their move,” AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson said. The Labrador retriever retained its position as top dog for the 22nd consecutive year, tying with the poodle for the most popular breed of all time. The popularity of “portable pooches” appears to be waning, Peterson reported. The top five did not include a toy breed for the first time since 2003, which also was the last time Yorkshire terriers were not in the top five. In 2012, Yorkshire terriers swapped places with bulldogs, falling to sixth. Chihuahuas, pugs and Pomeranians all dropped some notches on the popularity roster. Here are the AKC’s top 10 U.S. breeds for 2012: 1. Labrador retriever 2. German shepherd 3. Golden retriever 4. Beagle 5. Bulldog 6. Yorkshire terrier 7. Boxer 8. Poodle 9. Rottweiler 10. Dachshund The least popular breed in 2012—drum roll, please—was the English foxhound, which finished at No. 175. In related news, New York City-based AKC expanded its roster of recognized breeds to 177 in January with the inclusion of the Chinook and Portuguese Podengo Pequeno breeds. <HOME>
