American Kennel Club Reveals Providence’s Top Dogs

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Kennel Club^® announced today the “Top 10” most popular AKC^® registered breeds in Providence for 2007.*

“Providence residents may live in a small state but they choose big dogs as their pets”

The AKC also announced their nationwide registration statistics which revealed that the Bulldog – a popular sporting mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs – has muscled its way into the 10^th spot on the organization’s annual list of the most popular purebred dogs in America. For the 17^th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the country.

Here’s a look at Providence’s Top 10 breeds as compared to the rest of the country:

PROVIDENCE 2007				NATIONWIDE 2007
	1.	Labrador Retriever			1.	Labrador Retriever
	2.	German Shepherd			2.	Yorkshire Terrier
	3.	Beagle			3.	German Shepherd
	4.	Golden Retriever**			4.	Golden Retriever
	5.	Yorkshire Terrier**			5.	Beagle
	6.	Boxer			6.	Boxer
	7.	Pug			7.	Dachshund
	8.	Poodle			8.	Poodle
	9.	Bulldog			9.	Shih Tzu
	10.	Doberman Pinscher***			10.	Bulldog

* Registration data pulled from Providence zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service

** Tied with #3

*** Tied with #9

Local Statistical Snapshot

• Despite ranking 5^th in Providence last year, and remaining an unwavering favorite in the rest of the nation, the Dachshund did not make the city’s Top 10 in 2007.
• This is the third consecutive year in recent history that the Pug has been on Providence's Top 10 list while not making it the national list.
• The intelligent, athletic Doberman Pinscher experienced a surge in popularity in Rhode Island’s capital city, and now sits tight among Providence’s Top 10 dogs.
• Providence residents can see and learn more about all of their favorite breeds on Saturday, February 2 when the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship — where the world’s top dogs compete for $225,000 in prize money and the title of “National Champion” — airs on Animal Planet from 8-11pm.

“Providence residents may live in a small state but they choose big dogs as their pets,” says AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Half of the city’s top 10 breeds are large dogs, and although the small Shih Tzu and Dachshunds have scampered up to high positions on the nation’s Top 10, those breeds still don’t make the cut in Providence.”

Visit http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm for information on other cities and the complete list of national rankings.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.akc.org" www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.