Top Dog — Almost

Thanks to the Voice of San Diego for alerting me to the American Kennel Club’s latest report on San Diego dog breed rankings. I was shocked to learn the once-lowly bulldog has crept up to the #2 position, behind only the longtime favorite labrador retriever.  Third most popular dog in San Diego, as attested to by AKC registrations, is the golden retriever, followed by the Yorkshire terrier (#4) and German shepherd.

The AKC figures reveal that San Diego is hardly the only place that’s been discovering the bulldog’s charms. In 2009 the breed ranked within the top 5 most popular in fully half of the 54 cities for which the AKC reports rankings. I tried to spot some pattern within those breakdowns, but the only thing I could see was that bulldogs may be somewhat more appealing to Westerners — the most popular dog in LA (!) and second most in Vegas.  Bulldogs occupy both the #2 and #4 spots in San Francisco (the #2 spot going to the French variety).  They’re not on New Yorkers’ Top Five list at all — but they’re #3 in Boston.

Still #1 -- but for how long?

According to the AKC figures, the bulldog’s current popularity has been building in recent years. In 1997, they only ranked 26th nationwide (versus 7th nationwide last year). The AKC suggests maybe that’s due to celebrity influences. Adam Sandler, Kelly Osborne, and John Legend are among the better-known bulldog owners.