New York, NY - The American Kennel Club announced today that the Yorkshire Terrier, fondly called the "Yorkie" by millions of enthusiasts, has overtaken the beloved Golden Retriever and the iconic German Shepherd Dog to become the second most popular purebred dog in America according to AKC(r) registration figures.
"We have been closely tracking dog ownership trends and AKC data reveals that the popularity of smaller breeds continues to grow over the last
decade," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Not since the Boston Terrier* hit the top nearly 70 years ago has a small breed worked its way to such a high spot on the list."
2006 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Dachshund
7. Boxer
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzer