What Are the Most Popular Dog Breeds?

At present, cats outnumber dogs in most households. However, dogs will always remain as man's best friend. While mutts and mixed breeds are popular, full bred dogs are still in demand, and among these, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are on top of the list. This is because Retrievers are best for kids because of their friendly and gentle disposition.

Another reason why they are considered as good family dogs is because they are smart. Labrador Retrievers are not only known as loveable pets, but also as workers. In the past, these dogs aided fishermen in Newfoundland to do tasks like hauling fishing nets and catching fish. Later, they have shown their abilities in retrieving game, and this is where they got their name.

The German Shepherd is another popular breed of dogs. This kind of breed is very intelligent. It is known for protecting its family, the home where it lives and loving the children as its own. German Shepherds are also obedient and easy to train. However, they should be trained while they are puppies. They grow to be large dogs, and when they are not properly socialized, they can be dangerous.

Rottweilers and Boxers are other popular dog breeds that are thought to be the Mastiff's descendants. Both breeds are known to protect their owners and to love children. Rottweilers are quiet and calm, while Boxers are usually high strung and very active. When not trained properly, Rottweilers and Boxers can be dangerous. However, when they are trained while they are puppies, they can make great pets and develop good social skills.

There are smaller breeds of dogs that are popular as well. Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers make great lap dogs. They can sleep on the bed, ride in a car and do things that their human companions usually do. These smaller breeds of dogs can be temperamental and even aggressive, at times. Though they seldom cause harm, they should also be trained. If not, they may become moody or rude to the people they meet. They can easily be frightened by loud sounds, and they are often protective of their play things.

Another intelligent breed of dogs is the Doberman Pinscher, which has a reputation of being aggressive. Though Doberman Pinschers can be fearless and protective, they are actually more assertive than aggressive. These breeds are active and hardworking. For this reason, civilians often use them to guard their property, and sometimes, they serve as police dogs.

The Beagle and Poodle are two of the most wonderful mid-sized breeds of dogs. A Beagle barks loudly, for a rather small dog. It is also a wonderful pet for children to play with. Poodles have curly hair that can be fixed, shaped and clipped in different ways. They are easy to train since they are very intelligent. Their coats can be left to grow naturally, and can be clipped, but not shaped.

It is always important to consider the breed of dog when choosing one. A dog's personality and temperament will definitely show, even in mixed breeds.

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