January 17, 2008
Top Dog Breeds in the Top Town
The American Kennel Club annually releases a list of the most popular dog breeds in the country and in the biggest cities. No beating around the fire hydrant, this year's favorites in NYC:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Dachshund
4. Havanese**
5. Poodle**
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. French Bulldog
8. Golden Retriever
9. Bulldog
10. Pug
**Tied for 3rd
American Kennel Club officials noted that NYC residents are among the cutting edge because the bulldog is #9, while it's #10 in the country. AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson said, “I’m not surprised to see the Havanese, Cavalier and French Bulldog on the list. These breeds appeal to cosmopolitan people who, while they may not have a lot of space in their Manhattan apartment, have plenty of love for a petite canine companion.”
According to the Health Department, the city's most popular breed is actually the mixed breed (most popular name, per 2005 records, "Max")! You can get a dog license application here.
Photograph of a Yorkshire Terrier - #2 dog breed in NYC - by bhaggs on Flickr
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I want a Maltese, my wife wants a bulldog. She says they're too faggy, especially since we live in Chelsea, but I told her bulldogs are freaks, with their snorting nasal issues, lack of facial expressions, inability to swim or do anything remotely athletic.
I think Pitbulls (American Stafordshire Terrier - sp?) are the number one breed in NYC by a mile. I'm certain they aren't in this list, because no one bothers to get 'papers' for them, but numbers wise they must be the leader.
How can numbers 4 and 5 on the list be tied for third?
Just got a new Westie Puppy. Now I'm a prisoner in my own home! Was not quite prepared for the separation anxiety thing. She's cute, though.
A Maltese? Are you currently wearing a dress?
And bulldogs can't do anything athletic? You mean besides bullbaiting?
And for that matter, skateboarding? www.skateboardingbulldog.com
A Maltese? I agree with your wife, are you currently wearing a dress?
And bulldogs can't do anything athletic? You mean besides bullbaiting?
And for that matter, skateboarding? www.skateboardingbulldog.com
I always see Boston Terriers roaming around with their owners (I might become an owner of one myself)
Pure bread dogs are crap. I'll take a mutt any day.
slyseekr- I definitely recommend you get a boston terrier. They are smart, easy to train and care for, playful and cuddly. The perfect dog if I do say so myself.
HughGass- Bulldog over a Maltese any day.
emilydickenson- I think there are probably an equal number of labs as there are pitbulls in this City, but are likely unlicensed.
Labradors need large spaces and places to run. New York is entirely inappropriate for them.
Rocknrope: today's English Bulldogs are so far from the breed that was used for bull-baiting. They are much shorter, fatter and have way more of a pug-type nose. Bulldog's also are well known for having major health problems, especially with breathing, and a large percentage of litters are delivered via c-section due to the extreme enlargement of their skull. Look up the efforts to return to the Victorian-era Bulldogge, which looks much like today's Staffordshire Bull terrier.
That's not to say Bulldog's are weak, they certainly are still good at holding onto stuff for dear life. They just can't run, jump or do anything athletic for more than a few seconds before they get winded and start having trouble breathing.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Totally made popular by Charlotte having one on Sex and the City.
They can, however, skateboard.
Any dog under 35 pounds should be euthanized. Dogs under that weight are cats wearing dog outfits.
You can get some purebreds from shelters and rescue groups - my parents had a purebred adult maltese that they adopted from a rescue group after her previous owners neglected her. She was such a sweet dog!
Snoopy, shibas will kick your arse :P
mother nature hates a pure bred...everyone's lap trophy has a cranial soft spot, bad skin, and asthma.
pure-breds are like hassidics. myopic and freakishly inbred with skin conditions.
Don't get a bulldog. They have many health problems.
Try a Newfoundland. Newfies don't like to exercise-a bit of a walk does them fine. They don't mind a small apartment, either, as they are great couch potatoes-yet, they do great as country dogs too. They have a great bark, which is guarenteed to scare off any would be burgler. They are very protective, but the most they'll do if you are yelling at the Newfie's favorite in the household, is growl at you. They are loving, patient with kids, affectionate, smart, and have a sense of humor. If you like a person, your Newfie will too.
Drawbacks...they can be stubborn. If you tell a Newfie not to do something, once your back is turned, they just might do that thing again. Sometimes, just to piss you off, like a little kid. They shed-a lot, and all year (but they love to be brushed.) There's not a puddle in the state they won't jump into, as they love water. They drool. And, like a lot of big dogs, they are prone to hip problems.
If you can put up with the drool and the hair, and the odd obstinancy, check out breeders to see that the ancestry doesn't include hip problems, and get a Newfie.
NOW WE ARE TALKING A DOG! Newf's are great! Gentle and loveable and you won't trip over them because the little shit didn't move fast enough because you couldn't see little fluffy.
I'm a cat person, myself...
Be the first on your block to adopt a squirrel! You'll be cutting edge and hate yourself for it. Ideal for the self-made New Yorker.
HughGass: "lack of facial expressions"
rodney: "They just can't run, jump or do anything athletic for more than a few seconds before they get winded and start having trouble breathing."
You guys have obviously never met my bulldog...
emilydickinson: "I think Pitbulls (American Stafordshire Terrier - sp?) are the number one breed in NYC by a mile. I'm certain they aren't in this list, because no one bothers to get 'papers' for them, but numbers wise they must be the leader."
Unfortunately, most pitbulls you see in the city are not purebred staffies and cannot be registered with the AKC, as "pitbull" is not an accepted breed. No matter, though, they are still awesome dogs!
what's wrong with a good old mutt?