[News] Yorkies Are #3 Most Popular AKC Registered Dog in 2005
 

Wow, we've moved up from #5 last year (see this thread) to #3 this year (which I actually predicted last year)! We're pretty close to #2 as well, I think Yorkies will be #2 next year! :)
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NEW YORK, Jan. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- For the 16th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to AKC(r) registration figures released today. The Golden Retriever held onto the number two spot and the Yorkshire Terrier made significant gains -- beating the German Shepherd Dog and Beagle -- to become the third most popular dog in the country.

Dog lovers will have the opportunity to watch these popular breeds and many others compete at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which airs live January 14 and 15, 2006 on Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. both nights.

"This may be the Year of the Dog in China, but in this country it's the 'Year of the Yorkie'," said Gail Miller, AKC spokesperson. "The Lab may still reign supreme, but the petite and often-pampered Yorkshire Terrier has taken the coveted number three spot for the first time since becoming AKC-recognized in 1885. Considering the increasing popularity of small dogs in the past decade-perhaps due to their exposure as celebrity companions -- I'm not surprised to learn that this precious and portable canine may slip into the number two slot in 2006."

2005 Most Popular Dogs in U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever (137,867)

2. Golden Retriever (48,509)

3. Yorkshire Terrier (47,238)

4. German Shepherd Dog (45,014)

5. Beagle (42,592)

6. Dachshund (38,566)

7. Boxer (37,268)

8. Poodle (31,638)

9. Shih Tzu (28,087)

10. Miniature Schnauzer (24,144)

The Miniature Schnauzer, which hasn't been in the "Top 10" since 1990, wags its way into 10th place this year, displacing the popular Chihuahua, which drops to 11th place.

The trend in small dogs continues to be evident with increases in the following breeds over the past 10 years -- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (735 percent), French Bulldog (305 percent), Brussels Griffon (231 percent) and Papillon (132 percent). Yet, a few larger breeds have also experienced record growth including the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (124 percent) and Ibizan Hound (141 percent).

At the other end of the spectrum, the English Foxhound is again the least-registered purebred dog (22 registrations) followed by the Harrier (42), Otterhound (44), American Foxhound (48) and the newly AKC-recognized Glen of Imaal Terrier (49).

Surprisingly, the Otterhound, which is the third least registered dog in the U.S., experienced the highest percentage growth of all dogs over the past year with an increasing of 91 percent. Registrations increased or remained steady in 2005 for 55 other breeds as well, including the Sussex Spaniel (73 percent), Ibizan Hound (56 percent), Black and Tan Coonhound (41 percent) and Bedlington Terrier (32 percent).

In 2005, the AKC registered 153 different breeds for a total of 920,804 dogs and 421,128 litters.

A complete listing of 2005 registration statistics is available on the AKC web site at http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm and will be published in the March issue of the AKC Gazette. AKC registration statistics for the top 25 U.S. cities are also available at http://www.akc.org/reg/topdogsbycity.cfm.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=59123

WOO HOO!! We'll be #1 next year!! :D :thumbup:

rating
 

It is the very worst thing that can happen to a breed. The more the demand, the more the brokers must buy for pet shop..so mills must breed more and more...The rescues and full of Dalmations..everybody wanted one when the movie came out..but few realized how difficult a Dal is to train and live with..and many are deaf.

Nothing would please me more then for the Yorkie to drop off the AKC chart and become unpopular to own. When I started breeding they were number 12 or 15 as I recall..not even in the top ten.
This scares me alot..

I so agree with Pat and it just means that more people will buy these little ones without a clue of what they really need. It means more will end up in rescue or die:cry: It means more will be churned out by puppymills and backyard breeders for the profits.

I agree
 

The more popular the breed, the more unethical breeders seem to come out
of no where. Puppy mills will flourish even more and the health of our darling
breed will suffer. :(

I couldn't agree more...in fact, before reading your post, I was going to post that being that high up on the popular list is not a good thing. :(

Pat I SO AGREE WITH YOU !!! RATS...I didn't like it when they were #5...not good news at all for our beautiful breed.

I agree with you 100% . This mean a danger for this wonderful breed .

I never thought about all that you mentioned... I guess it is a bad thing.. retract my earlier,,stupid remark.

remark
 

Your remark was not stupid..it was said out of the love for the breed. Now you are informed about what happens to a breed when it gets popular. Honestly, it is a two edge sword..it is good they are popular, it is bad..

Yorkie's Rule
 

I believe it won't be long before we have the #1 Spot. Once you have a yorkie you won't have anyother baby. Yorkie's Rule!
Thanks for the info. I'm going to watch Discovery - Love that channel.

Wow - I was wrong
 

Guess you guys are right. The more popular these babies are they will be in trouble. Not being a breeder and owning a yorkie for the first time, I had to stop and think. People don't realize these are very, very special little ones. They are not by any stretch of the imagination your run of the mill dog. I have found that out. Not only expensive, but demanding as heck. And very high maintenance. LOL....Not for everyone and not a little toy. I am devoted to my Dollie and we are life partners. I am with you all. "I wish we would fall off the chart"...Thanks for setting me straight.... :thumbup:

I agree, too.
 

Pat, you are so right! Many MANY years ago I raised Miniature Poodles. They were wonderful little dogs. Then they became very popular, which at first made me feel good. But, as you say, the down side is that everybody wants to get in on the action and poodles not only became a drug on the market, they lost so much in being bred by everyone (unscrupulous breeders!) to make money. I was not interested in staying in the breeding, so I quit. I hope the same thing doesn't happen to Yorkies, but I am afraid it will. It happened to a certain extent to GSD also. And, as you say to Dalmations.

Ok, we need to start a campaign to let people know they are stubborn, nearly impossible to housebreak, take over the house.....oh darn that didn't stop me! I can understand why they are so popular, they are just little balls of love. It's sad to think that it will be a negative thing for yorkies if more people want them, but I know you are right. Bummer.

I believe it. That is why they are so hard to get in my area. There is rarely even a listing in my local paper. Because the people don't even have to put their yorkie puppies in the paper. People find out about the litter before it is even put in the paper and the waiting list is usually 50 people or more! It took 6 months to find my yorkie baby. Because everytime I would find a breeder they were sold by the time I even picked up the phone. Luckily, I checked Louisiana Classifieds every single day. And as soon as one appeared that was only 10 minutes away, I picked up the phone right away. And I almost did not get this little girl. If the lady who owned the stud did not back out at the last minute, this little girl would of not been mine either. My breeder is so sweet and I can't thank her enough for letting me get one of her females. I can't wait until she is old enough for me to take home. She is 2 weeks old today!