Top Ten

On January 17, 2008, the American Kennel Club announced the top ten dog breeds of 2007. Here they are:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Yorkshire Terrier

3. German Shepherd

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Dachshund

8. Poodle

9. Shih Tzu

10. Bulldog

For the first time in their history, Bulldogs are now in the top ten list. They have bumped out the Miniature Schnauzer to do so. Dalmations and Rottweilers are rapidly losing popularity. Beagles seem to be the most consistent, and have always been on the top ten list since 1915, with a top dog reign lasting from 1954 to 1959 (five years). The Poodle is doing well, and had a top dog reign of 23 years from 1960 to 1983, the longest reign in American Kennel Club history.

Labrador Retrievers have won the 2007 top dog award.

What exactly happens in these yearly "competitions?" The American Kennel Club asks several large cities what their pick is. Each city decides within itself and writes a list of their favorites, then gives it to the Kennel Club. This year, almost every list contained the Labrador Retriever, which is why they won first--thanks to a growing love for these larger companion/hunting dogs.

Photos of the dogs (in the order that they were named).

RC, a German/Husky Hero

DOG SAVES TWO-YEAR-OLD
RC, a German Shepherd/Husky mix, is now in headlines.
He found a two-year-old youngster walking around in 32 degree weather with only a t-shirt on early one morning. The dog took the baby into his outdoor straw bed and sat on him to keep him warm.
A few hours later, at around 9 am, RC's keeper found the two curled up together. He took the baby to the Canonsberg police, who found the mother, Angela Harps. One door of the house was open, and Angela was sleeping. The two-year-old could have very easily suffered hypothermia, had it not been for RC, but doctors found him in perfect health. The baby has been placed in the care of his maternal grandparents, and RC is now a hero.