TOP DOGS
"It's the face that gets me!" Rachel Labbee, Geronimo's Assistant Buyer, is effusive about her dog Ruby, an adorable, grunting, comically-visaged white Bulldog. Rachel isn't alone in her attraction for the iconic breed, as demonstrated by the American Kennel Club's (AKC) recently announced breed rankings for the most popular dogs in 2007. Based on AKC national breed registrations, the Bulldog appears as #10, on the short list for the first time in nearly 75 years, making a phenomenal rise up from #26 in just ten years.

Aside from the obvious cuteness factor, the Bulldog's ability to adapt and appeal to a wide range of potential owners contributes to the breed's popularity. Rachel agrees that the Bulldog is definitely a satisfying companion animal that gives its owner loving attention. They are low maintenance with modest exercise and grooming requirements, and well suited to a variety of lifestyles, successfully adapting to either small quarters or large homes. The breed is mid-size, short haired, docile and good with children.

But she is also quick to point out that there are other issues to consider before getting your very own Bulldog. "I think it's a great breed if people are making their buying decisions in the right way," Rachel comments. "Sure, they're very cute, but they can have health problems which become quite expensive. Skin allergies are common and any dog with that general face shape can have breathing or eye issues. Their personalities can also include a significantly stubborn streak."

The Bulldog has a long history with the AKC, receiving AKC status just two years after the organization's founding in 1884. Since then, the breed's popularity has vacillated from its best performance of 5th place in 1915, to its low of 41st place in 1973. In AKC's ranking of the breeds in the top 50 cities, this breed is the most popular in Los Angeles, where it is #2 behind the Labrador Retriever. In Boston, the Bulldog rose to 6th place from 8th place, reflecting the national trend, but Atlanta, home of "Uga," the University of Georgia's famous Bulldog mascot, was one of the few cities in the nation where the breed failed to place in the top 10.

Compared to the 75 million households with dogs in this country, AKC registrations represent only a small percentage of the purebred dogs that have been registered by their owners. However, the records that have been kept by the AKC for almost 100 years do provide an interesting history and an indication of breed trends in this country with regional or state variations from the AKC's Top Ten List usually explained by factors linked to climate, lifestyle or demographics.

This year, the Miniature Schnauzer lost its national standing in 10th place to the Bulldog, but in Oklahoma City, the Schnauzer ranks 3rd, higher than any other US city. Five cities do not list the Labrador Retriever as #1. Detroit and Miami prefer the German Shepherd, Honolulu likes the Golden Retriever, Orlando the Yorkie and Knoxville favors the Boxer.

Dogs weighing under 20 pounds have gained in popularity over the last ten years, with the Havanese, a small non-shedding dog from the Bichon family, enjoying the greatest surge during that time period with an increase in registrations of 994%, placing it at #37. Two other small dogs enjoying significant popularity include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Bulldog, compactly shaped similar to a Bulldog, but with huge erect ears, that ranks in the Top Ten in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Lately, larger dogs have been much slower to show increases in registrations, but two Swiss breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the shorterhaired version, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, stand out. Breeds on the decline include the Rottweiller and the Dalmatian. Asian origin breeds, such as the Chow Chow, Pekingese, Akitas, Lhasa Apso, Chinese Shar-Pei and Shiba Inu are also showing noticeable declines in registrations.

While I think all this information is fascinating, and I could go on and on, bringing dog breeds to your attention at this particular time is pertinent because of two upcoming must-see events. The first is the broadcast of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which was held in December in Long Beach, California, to be simulcast on the Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, February 2 from 8-11pm. The results are already history, but I won't tell.

While the winners from the AKC/Eukanuba show are fresh in your mind, you will be primed and ready for the excitement of the 132nd Annual Westminster Kennel Club event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, coming to you live on the USA Network Monday and Tuesday nights,

February 11 and 12. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop and is a member of Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America (DWAA and CWA).. Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower Bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.

MOST POPULAR DOGS IN THE U.S 2007

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog

Source: AKC Registration Information