Labrador Retriever. Photo courtesy of Field Dog Imagery
The American Kennel Club and other organizations have ranked the most popular dogs around the country. The number one spot shouldn’t come as a surprise as it’s been the top dog for the past 30 years! However, the most popular dog breeds in Tampa are a little outside the norm.
According to the AKC, the most popular dog breed of 2021 is the Labrador Retriever. This is the 31st year in a row the Lab has been ranked number one. Their temperament and versatility are two main reasons they are perennially popular. Labs are friendly, active and outgoing. They are also easy to train and great with children, making them the perfect dog for families.
However, in the City of Tampa, the Staffordshire Terrier reign supreme according to Rover.com. Commonly known as Staffys, these dogs are extremely loyal, athletic and easy to train. They are larger than pit bulls, although some authorities don’t recognize these as two separate breeds. Next in most popular dog breeds in Tampa are the Great Dane, English Bulldog, Rottweiler, and finally the American Pit Bull Terrier. Labs don’t even rank in Tampa’s top five!
Breed popularity in the United States certainly has changed. In the 1950s, the most common breed was the Beagle. Possibly because of a beloved cartoon by Charles Shultz, which debuted in 1950.
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