| With 157 AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized | | | | search and rescue dogs, and police dogs. This |
| dog breeds, and hundreds more besides, which | | | | breed responds well to training, and retains it. This |
| breeds of dogs are the most popular with U.S. | | | | breed can be suspicious of strangers. The love |
| dog lovers? The top five, with some information | | | | and trust of a German Shepherd is earned. But |
| about each; | | | | once it has been earned, this breed is a friend for |
| #1. Labrador Retriever - Whether used for its | | | | life, and will be loyal until death. |
| abilities in the field or as a family dog, the | | | | #4. Golden Retriever - As with the Labrador |
| Labrador Retriever is a breed of intelligence and | | | | Retriever, this breed was bred for hunting and |
| loving temperament. This breed can weigh from | | | | retrieving of game. It is eager, alert and |
| 55 to 80 pounds, and was bred to be agile in the | | | | self-confident. As its name implies, it is golden |
| water. It has a thick 'otter' tail that the dog uses | | | | blonde in color, with a coat longer than the |
| as a rudder and webbed paws. They can be | | | | Labrador Retriever. It can weigh from 55-75 |
| black, yellow or chocolate in color. A breed that is | | | | pounds. A generally happy, friendly and |
| usually devoid of aggression towards humans and | | | | trustworthy temperament makes this breed a |
| other animals. The kind and outgoing nature of | | | | good choice for hunting or a family pet. |
| this breed has made it the most popular in | | | | #5. Beagle - A member of the Hound Group of |
| America for many years. | | | | dog breeds. They hunt by scent and are used for |
| #2. Yorkshire Terrier - A breed that has steadily | | | | rabbit hunting, sometimes in packs. They usually |
| increased in popularity for the past ten years. It is | | | | do not have a 'dog' odor, and do not shed very |
| a member of the Toy Group of breeds, and as | | | | much. They have a lot of energy, and like a lot of |
| such weighs between three and seven pounds. It | | | | activity. When a beagle is to be a family pet, its |
| is long-haired with a blue and tan coat. Don't let | | | | energy and 'hound' voice needs to be kept in |
| the size of this dog fool you. It is a terrier, and as | | | | mind. Beagles come in two varieties, according to |
| such has a lot of spirit and acts like its larger | | | | height, ones not to exceed 13 inches, and ones |
| terrier cousins at times. | | | | over 13 inches but not to exceed 15 inches. It is |
| #3. German Shepherd - A member of the | | | | colored black and tan, with white, and can have |
| Herding Group, this breed is known for its loyalty, | | | | various patterns of these colors. It is in essence a |
| intelligence, and perseverance. It is no wonder | | | | miniature fox hound. |
| that this breed is used for Seeing Eye dogs, | | | | |