Yorkshire Terrier

            Nipping at the heels of the Golden retriever for several years, the diminutive Yorkshire Terrier displaced them as the second most popular dog breed, according to American Kennel Club registration numbers. The German Shepherd Dogs, previously at number four moved up a notch to three while the Golden’s fell to fourth place. Beagles round out the top five.

            For the 15th consecutive year, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed. That’s no surprise. However, no one expected the Yorkies to dig their way into the number two spot. After all a decade ago, they were back at number nine on the AKC chart. “If nothing else, Yorkies are determined,” says Sharon Haber, a Yorkshire terrier breeder from New York City.

            Lisa Peterson, director of Club Communications at the AKC in New York adds, “Yorkies are portable, and for some the attraction is putting bows in their hair - the foo-foo dog. But for those who prefer a scrappier dog, well, after all, they are terriers.”

            Like any trendy breed, Haber worries about unscrupulous types calling themselves breeders. “They’re not breeding quality; they’re in it only to make a dollar,” she says. “So make sure you know who you’re getting a dog from. Like any breed they’re not for everyone. I don’t recommend them (Yorkies) for families with small children, who unintentionally can hurt such a small dog. Overall, though, they’re pretty sturdy. Great to travel with, I take one of my dogs to the movies, he likes comedies.”

Kim Thornton's Cavalier King Charles, Darcy

            The second trendiest breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, moving up from number 31 on the AKC chart to number 27. The Cavs have increased in popularity enormously in recent years. In 2000, they were number 54 and barely heard of by the general public.

            Kim Thornton, a columnist at www.msnbc.com and pet book author, has Cavalier King Charles Spaniels of her own, and says she understands their rise on the AKC pop chart. “They’re small, and people want small these days because small is portable,” she says, “But they’re not fragile. They’re a spaniel, and love to play fetch.”

            Cavalier King Charles’ are prone to a kind of often fatal heart problem called, chronic valvular disease. Thornton began a fund to raise dollars for research, named after her own dog, called the Darcy Fund. While occurring most often in Cavs, this disease can attack any dog of any breed or mix. (Learn more at www.ackcsccharitabletrust.org.)

            Thornton noted the rise in popularity, in general, of small dogs. In fact, 14 of the top twenty breeds are all typically under 25 lbs. Indeed the third most trendy breed is the Havanese (which averages around 9 to 13 lbs.), moving up from 43 to number 38 on the AKC list. This distant relative of the Bichon Frise was number 104 on the AKC list ten years ago. “They’re spunky, and people like spunky,” Peterson says.

Golden Retriever

            The breed that dropped the most in popularity happens to be one of America’s favorites, the golden retriever. Number four (where Golden’s are now) is as low as they’ve ranked in recent memory. Peterson offers what explanation she can, “Perhaps they’re casualty of people generally wanting smaller dogs. Sometimes you just can’t explain these things.”

            Another inexplicable drop is the Lhaso Apso, which dropped from 39 to 46. “Well, they do need grooming, “says Peterson as she struggles to come up with a response.

            Peterson does have a viable explanation for the fall from grace of the American Staffordshire terrier to number 66 on the AKC chart from number 63, with registrations falling 8 per cent. “They’re mistaken for pit bulls and as a result banned in many places,” says Peterson. “It’s a shame; the truth is that they’re great family dogs.”

            The entire list of 155 registered breeds (English foxhounds are number 155) is found at www.akc.org. In addition, for many larger cities, the most popular breeds are listed by town.