If breeding counts, Lab is nearly everyone's top dog

Crossfire Bulldogs · 01-13-2006, 01:49 AM

BY LESLIE BALDACCI Staff Reporter - Chicago Sun Times

The Labrador retriever is Chicago's top dog among purebreds -- again -- and most popular breed in the nation -- again. In fact, Labs were the favorite dog in all but three of 25 cities tallied by the American Kennel Club in 2005.

The list of most-popular AKC registered dogs, released Wednesday, reveals that Chicagoans also have a thing for pups with pushed-in faces. In addition to ranking boxers No. 4, compared with No. 7 nationwide, we like pugs and bulldogs, which don't make the nation's Top 10 list at all. Here's the 2005 list of Chicago's favorite purebred dogs:

1. Labrador retriever
2. German shepherd
3. Golden retriever
4. Boxer
5. Pug
6. Yorkshire terrier
7. Rottweiler
8. Bulldog
9. Shih tzu
10. Poodle

The tiny shih tzu muscled out the Doberman on Chicago's list. Dobermans fell to No. 12. That didn't surprise breeder Lynn Mourning, president of the Illinois Professional Pet Breeders Association.

***Cassiepeia*** · 01-13-2006, 03:13 AM

Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't like that breed. LOL

*runs off an hides in some nearby shrubs in case people start throwing rotten fruit at her*

Cass.

rottnpagan · 01-13-2006, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't like that breed. LOL

*runs off an hides in some nearby shrubs in case people start throwing rotten fruit at her*

Cass.

Cass, I'm with you. Labs are my least favourite breed.

I have to say though, I'd be alot happier to see Rottweilers get bumped off of that list.

Tiffany0204 · 01-13-2006, 06:44 AM

I'm not a big lab fan myself.... then again, I'm more partial to smaller breeds. Interesting though.... let's hear it for the Shih Tzu that managed to make it's way in there! wooo!

lmao

Giny · 01-13-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rottnpagan

I have to say though, I'd be alot happier to see Rottweilers get bumped off of that list.

I feel the same when it comes to poodles. I really wish they go down in popularity. Especially with all the doodle/apoo breeders out there it would be really nice if they'd leave the poodles alone.

annie_so_pink · 01-13-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't like that breed. LOL

*runs off an hides in some nearby shrubs in case people start throwing rotten fruit at her*

Cass.

*throwing tons of rotten fruit at you while screaming "Labs are awesome!"*

D.Schäferhund · 01-13-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't like that breed. LOL

*runs off an hides in some nearby shrubs in case people start throwing rotten fruit at her*

Cass.

*Hides under the bushes with cass,brought an umbrella for protection*

BigPaws · 01-13-2006, 09:07 AM

I truly love labs, have my whole life, but not around here, not anymore, byb and dogs being inbred, everyone and their cat out here breeds labs and nobody goes any distance to purchase one , sad very sad, you would certinatly not like labs if you came here. Bad breeding not dogs fault.

elegy · 01-13-2006, 12:03 PM

labs are certainly not the breed for me, but there is such a world of difference between the few well-bred, well-owned ones i've met and the majority of the labs i see.

DFrost · 01-13-2006, 12:47 PM

Being a user of a considerable number of Labs I have serious concerns about the breed. In the last 10 years I've seen a significant increase in the number of dogs with bad hips. We Xray all potential candidates. More alarming, to me anyway, is the number of labs that won't retrieve. There is just something wrong with that picture. I just can't fathom what part of Labrador RETRIEVER the breeders of these dogs don't understand. Seeing the breed on that list of course is the answer. When a dog becomes that popular, and the demand is so great, it usually spells harm for the breed.

DFrost

J_A_IT · 01-13-2006, 12:47 PM

I don't exactly like Labs, but I respect the conformation competitors and breeders that have them. I think the reason they're so popular is, when people think of a "family" dog, a Lab or Golden goes along with the "white picket fence". A lot of people I know get Labs or Goldens because of their Rep. (as in, the John Q public wouldn't want to get a Rottweiler as a playmate for their 3 year old, because those people don't know any better) With that being said, they don't research or look into breeds that would best suit them and USUALLY those are the people that buy from BYB's or pet shops. (Keep in mind I'm not saying everyone, so please don't kill me)

A well bred Lab is a good-natured, easily trained dog, and I think that also contributes to the popularity factor. Not many people want to spend a lot of time training a hard-to-handle terrier or similar, and I was considering getting a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier years ago, and back then NO ONE knew what they were. Since they have a sweet temperment, intelligence, and are great for people with allergies (like the "designer" Labradoodle), they've really taken off in popularity too.

J_A_IT · 01-13-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFrost

...I just can't fathom what part of Labrador RETRIEVER the breeders of these dogs don't understand. Seeing the breed on that list of course is the answer. When a dog becomes that popular, and the demand is so great, it usually spells harm for the breed.

DFrost

SO true! If they weren't so popular, I might have considered getting one, but now there's so many problems with them, and not many use their dogs for hunting (because they're in puppy mills)... I think a sporting dog should have a hunting title as well as being a champion before it's bred, but maybe I'm alone?!

Crossfire Bulldogs · 01-13-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFrost

Being a user of a considerable number of Labs I have serious concerns about the breed. In the last 10 years I've seen a significant increase in the number of dogs with bad hips. We Xray all potential candidates. More alarming, to me anyway, is the number of labs that won't retrieve. There is just something wrong with that picture. I just can't fathom what part of Labrador RETRIEVER the breeders of these dogs don't understand. Seeing the breed on that list of course is the answer. When a dog becomes that popular, and the demand is so great, it usually spells harm for the breed.

DFrost

I couldn't agree more! I was upset to see that my own breed of choice had made it so high up the list.

sammy · 01-13-2006, 07:36 PM

I whole heartedly agree. I'm so used to seeing ugly, oversized, weird, poorly bred labs around here that I think I don't like them- then I encounter a well bred lovely lab and remember what wonderful dogs they can be. It's awful what happens to popular breeds.

D.Schäferhund · 01-13-2006, 09:16 PM

Hi i have to admit, I wish my breed wouldn't be that popular, and i just saw the comercial for the Westminster show in February.
Yes it would be nice to see my breed winning (if it would be up to the original standard) but I would have one crying eye, too.
They get produced like crazy after they won the show sometimes it reminds me to the disneydogs, and GSDs for example went through that before. And we know what that sudden popularity does to the dogs.

I like Labs but they wouldn't be a breed for me. And I hear the concernes wich I think are absolutly right.
I have people complaining that actually have a Retriever, active and willing to work, asking for a job. and not the couchpotato, they thought that breed is.
I am always happy when I see a Lab that actually can do the job it is bred for. And not that lazy driveless dogs, you see so often. I like them when they are happy campers and active, some just appear to be dumb, or not as intelligent like there are supposed to be for the job. If u know what I mean.

01-13-2006, 01:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	If breeding counts, Lab is nearly everyone's top dog BY LESLIE BALDACCI Staff Reporter - Chicago Sun Times The Labrador retriever is Chicago's top dog among purebreds -- again -- and most popular breed in the nation -- again. In fact, Labs were the favorite dog in all but three of 25 cities tallied by the American Kennel Club in 2005. The list of most-popular AKC registered dogs, released Wednesday, reveals that Chicagoans also have a thing for pups with pushed-in faces. In addition to ranking boxers No. 4, compared with No. 7 nationwide, we like pugs and bulldogs, which don't make the nation's Top 10 list at all. Here's the 2005 list of Chicago's favorite purebred dogs: 1. Labrador retriever 2. German shepherd 3. Golden retriever 4. Boxer 5. Pug 6. Yorkshire terrier 7. Rottweiler 8. Bulldog 9. Shih tzu 10. Poodle The tiny shih tzu muscled out the Doberman on Chicago's list. Dobermans fell to No. 12. That didn't surprise breeder Lynn Mourning, president of the Illinois Professional Pet Breeders Association.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-13-2006, 03:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't like that breed. LOL runs off an hides in some nearby shrubs in case people start throwing rotten fruit at her Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-13-2006, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tiffany0204 Due in December! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Barrie, ON - Canada! Posts: 867 Rep Power: 90	I'm not a big lab fan myself.... then again, I'm more partial to smaller breeds. Interesting though.... let's hear it for the Shih Tzu that managed to make it's way in there! wooo! lmao
	__________________

01-13-2006, 09:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
BigPaws Big Bears, Big Babies! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 236 Rep Power: 75	I truly love labs, have my whole life, but not around here, not anymore, byb and dogs being inbred, everyone and their cat out here breeds labs and nobody goes any distance to purchase one , sad very sad, you would certinatly not like labs if you came here. Bad breeding not dogs fault.
	__________________ My Children-Star-Great Pyrenees, Mack- St.Bernard, Tucker- Black and an Coonhound, Ginger- Bloodhound, Chevy- Labrador mix, Beau- Labrador mix, Boomer- St.Bernard/Great Pyrenees mix. "Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless, is in danger of arriving also, at the idea of worthless human lives." ~Dr. Albert Schweitzer

01-13-2006, 12:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
elegy Pit Bull Junky Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 110	labs are certainly not the breed for me, but there is such a world of difference between the few well-bred, well-owned ones i've met and the majority of the labs i see.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

01-13-2006, 12:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
DFrost Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: TN Posts: 277 Rep Power: 100	Being a user of a considerable number of Labs I have serious concerns about the breed. In the last 10 years I've seen a significant increase in the number of dogs with bad hips. We Xray all potential candidates. More alarming, to me anyway, is the number of labs that won't retrieve. There is just something wrong with that picture. I just can't fathom what part of Labrador RETRIEVER the breeders of these dogs don't understand. Seeing the breed on that list of course is the answer. When a dog becomes that popular, and the demand is so great, it usually spells harm for the breed. DFrost
	__________________ Beyone Fatigue lies compensatory hypertropy DFrost

01-13-2006, 12:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
J_A_IT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	I don't exactly like Labs, but I respect the conformation competitors and breeders that have them. I think the reason they're so popular is, when people think of a "family" dog, a Lab or Golden goes along with the "white picket fence". A lot of people I know get Labs or Goldens because of their Rep. (as in, the John Q public wouldn't want to get a Rottweiler as a playmate for their 3 year old, because those people don't know any better) With that being said, they don't research or look into breeds that would best suit them and USUALLY those are the people that buy from BYB's or pet shops. (Keep in mind I'm not saying everyone, so please don't kill me) A well bred Lab is a good-natured, easily trained dog, and I think that also contributes to the popularity factor. Not many people want to spend a lot of time training a hard-to-handle terrier or similar, and I was considering getting a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier years ago, and back then NO ONE knew what they were. Since they have a sweet temperment, intelligence, and are great for people with allergies (like the "designer" Labradoodle), they've really taken off in popularity too.
J_A_IT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0

01-13-2006, 07:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
sammy herding dog lover Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: western canada Posts: 1,089 Rep Power: 113	I whole heartedly agree. I'm so used to seeing ugly, oversized, weird, poorly bred labs around here that I think I don't like them- then I encounter a well bred lovely lab and remember what wonderful dogs they can be. It's awful what happens to popular breeds.

01-13-2006, 09:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
D.Schäferhund let's work Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,801 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 114	Hi i have to admit, I wish my breed wouldn't be that popular, and i just saw the comercial for the Westminster show in February. Yes it would be nice to see my breed winning (if it would be up to the original standard) but I would have one crying eye, too. They get produced like crazy after they won the show sometimes it reminds me to the disneydogs, and GSDs for example went through that before. And we know what that sudden popularity does to the dogs. I like Labs but they wouldn't be a breed for me. And I hear the concernes wich I think are absolutly right. I have people complaining that actually have a Retriever, active and willing to work, asking for a job. and not the couchpotato, they thought that breed is. I am always happy when I see a Lab that actually can do the job it is bred for. And not that lazy driveless dogs, you see so often. I like them when they are happy campers and active, some just appear to be dumb, or not as intelligent like there are supposed to be for the job. If u know what I mean.

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