Dogs are the world’s most popular pets. As a matter of fact, this animal is not included in the most common target in poaching. This statistic is largely due to the dog’s versatility as a species. Every breed has its own set of characteristics, making each breed suitable for a specific lifestyle. Aside from having the most dangerous dog breeds, the United States has also the most popular dog breeds. As a result, if you are unable to take on the responsibility of owning a dog but wish to do so in the future, a dog statue would be an excellent choice.
The most famous dog breeds in the United States are:
1. The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever, America’s most popular dog breed for the past 30 years, is an iconic breed that everyone knows and loves. These dogs are among the most popular service dogs because they are gentle, sweet, and eager. They belong to the sporting group and, as their name suggests, have been used extensively as waterfowl retrievers.
2. The French Bulldog
The French Bulldog was actually developed in England. The breed was brought to France by English lacemakers, where they became extremely popular. The French Bulldog was created as a miniature version of a bulldog and is now only used as a companion pet, though they were once used as rat hunters.
3. The German Shepherd
German Shepherds have long been used by law enforcement and the military. Because of their intelligence and adaptability, they are better to handle than many other breeds. They also have incredible courage, physical strength, and athletic ability, making them one of the best working dogs of all time. As the name suggests, this breed is a shepherd. That belongs to the herding group.
4. The Golden Retriever
Search-and-rescue, service work, and hunting have all been done with this Scottish breed. Because of their high intelligence and apparent enjoyment of training and working, Golden Retrievers are excellent learners and can be well trained.
5. The Bulldog
Bulldogs are muscled, wrinkly, distinct-looking dogs that weigh up to 50 pounds and stand no more than 15 inches tall. Their appearance belies their friendly and good-natured temperaments. It’s difficult to tell now, but these dogs were bred for two main purposes: driving cows to market and bull-baiting, a dangerous and brutal blood sport in which bulls fight other animals.
6. The Poodle
Poodles are one of the most iconic show dog breeds, belonging to the non-sporting group. They wear elegant coats that some owners have trimmed into unique patterns. With their regal demeanors and wild haircuts, you might be surprised to learn how good a family dog a Poodle can be. They’re also one of the world’s smartest breeds, capable of learning to do almost anything. Poodles were once used as waterfowl retrievers for hunters, but they now mostly show dogs. In fact, their French name, Caniche, is derived from the word chien canard, which means duck dog.
7. The Beagle
Beagles are social animals that do well in groups or alone. They were bred to hunt in packs. They’re excellent hunters, as they should be. However, because of their friendly and happy demeanor, they make excellent family dogs. These dogs are small because they were bred to track small game, such as rabbits. Though they are now more commonly kept as pets rather than hunters in America, the breed is still heavily used for hunting in other countries.
8. The Rottweiler
Rottweilers are large dogs, with males growing to be 27 inches tall and weighing up to 135 pounds. They’re known for being fearless and dependable guardians and watchdogs. They also appear to get along well with children and make excellent family pets. However, due to their adaptability, these dogs were first to be used as police or military dogs. Rottweilers were used to driving cattle and pulling carts long before that, so they have a long history of hard work.
9. The German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile and adaptable breed that was developed to retrieve and hunt a variety of game in a variety of conditions, which they still excel at today. Apart from their high exercise requirements, they make excellent companions and family pets. These dogs have brown spots and splotches on their coats, which are mottled over a white background, and heads that are mostly brown with some white.
10. The Dachshund
The Dachshund is an iconic dog with a long, low-slung body that sits atop stubby legs, available in both standard and miniature sizes. They aren’t built for long distances, but they were bred to hunt down dangerous prey such as badgers and foxes on their own. Their unique body shape was created specifically for following tunneling animals into their burrows. Even so, some hunters used them for larger games, with packs of Dachshunds assisting in the pursuit of wild boar.
11. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi
It is no surprise that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a popular breed, with a body that’s similar to a Dachshund’s, low to the ground, and elongated, but a face that’s all its own and completely adorable. Corgis are fearless and independent, qualities that were required for their original purpose of herding cattle.
12. The Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States in the 1840s, despite its name implying that it originated in Australia. Shepherds are still commonly used for their original purpose of herding livestock today. They are a smart and capable breed with exceptional athletic abilities, but they can be destructive if not given a proper outlet for all of their excess energy.
13. The Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies, or Yorkshire Terriers, are small dogs with big personalities. They have a reputation for being abrasive, but they make excellent companion animals. Their popularity is due in part to their small size, which makes them perfect for living in apartments and other small rooms, though their yapping can irritate neighbors.
14. The Boxer
Boxers, a member of the working group, were originally bred as guard dogs. They are still excellent family watchdogs and guard dogs today, but their gentle nature makes them wonderful companions. They have lean muscle and are undeniably sweet dogs, but they are also very energetic and require a huge amount of exercise and stimulation to maintain them from going crazy.
15. The Great Dane
The gentle giants of the canine world, Great Danes are truly massive. Males can stand up to 32 inches tall and weigh 175 pounds, making them the same size as the average man. They have notoriously short lifespans of less than ten years. Contrary to popular belief, the breed does not originate in Denmark. It is an ancient breed that was once used for boar hunting under the name Boar Hound before being renamed English Dogges in the 1500s. The breed was later refined by the Germans into the dogs we know today, though it retained the name given to it by a French naturalist in the 1700s, Grand Danois, which became the Great Danish Dog.