Tag: Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers Yet Again Break AKC Top 10 Breed Record

Do you love Labs? You’re certainly not alone. Just as it has for the past 25 years, the Labrador Retriever once again topped the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) 2016 list of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Its 26-year run at No. 1 is the longest of any breed in the AKC’s 123-year history.

“The Lab is such a versatile dog that it’s no wonder it makes a great companion for a variety of lifestyles,” said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo. “Keep your eye on the Rottweiler, though. It’s been quietly winning hearts over the past decade.”

The Rottweiler was the eighth most popular breed in 2016, moving up one notch from 2015. This was its highest ranking on the list since 1997, when it was the second most popular dog breed.

The Poodle also rose one spot in the top 10, from No. 8 to No. 7.

Other breeds growing in popularity are various terriers, especially the Russell Terrier, which climbed from 104th place in 2015 to 90th place in 2016. The Rat Terrier jumped from 101st to 96th place, the Parson Russell Terrier from 111th to 109th place, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier from 172nd to 167th place.

The only top 10 breed to drop a couple of notches was the Yorkshire Terrier, which fell from No. 7 to No. 9.

Here’s the top 10 list, with the 2015 rankings in parentheses. I’ve also included helpful links to national rescue organizations for these breeds. Adopt, don’t shop!

  1. Labrador Retriever (1)
  2. German Shepherd (2)
  3. Golden Retriever (3)
  4. Bulldog (4)
  5. Beagle (5)
  6. French Bulldog (6)
  7. Poodle (8)
  8. Rottweiler (9)
  9. Yorkshire Terrier (7)
  10. Boxer (10)

Here’s the complete 2016 AKC breed popularity list.

Photo credit: Jonathan Jordan

This ‘Gardener Retriever’ Is Ready to Drive a Lawn Mower

At least one dog in Malakoff, Texas, seemed pretty unfazed after a tornado swept through the town Tuesday.

As a KYTX news crew was surveying the damage during a live broadcast, they came across a Labrador Retriever sitting in the driver’s seat of a lawn mower, appearing ready to take care of the lawn.

“Look at that dog!” said reporter Andrea Martinez, giggling as the camera zoomed in on the pooch.

“While reporting on storms in Malakoff, I spotted a pup ready to start the clean-up!” she wrote on Twitter.

Apparently taking the driver’s seat is becoming trendy for Labs. Last weekend, as his dog dad shopped at a mini-market, a Lab was behind the wheel of their semi-trailer as it careened across a street and into a tree and parked car. Fortunately no one was hurt.

As for the mower-driving Lab, KYTX had an update on its Facebook page Tuesday: “He charges $30/hour for his lawn service.”

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/kytxcbs19/videos/10154014774994640/” width=”600″ height=”500″ onlyvideo=”1″]

 

Photo via Facebook

Truck-Driving Dog Hits Tree and Parked Car (He’s OK, Though)

As his dog dad shopped at a Kwik Trip market in Mankato, Minn., yesterday afternoon, a Labrador Retriever apparently decided to take their semi-trailer truck for a little spin.

He jumped into the driver’s seat and may have somehow put the truck, which was parked across the street from the store, into gear. It lurched forward, crossed the street, took down a tree and came to a stop after crashing into a parked car just a few feet away from a gas station’s fuel dispensers.

“In my career here, I’ve not had an accident reported like this one,” Daniel Schisel, of the Mankato Police Department, told FOX9.

David Stegora was pumping gas when the dog went for a drive.

“I heard the tree snap and I thought somebody decided to turn around, but then it just kept going forward,” he told the Mankato Free Press.

Marie Brace was in the Kwik Trip parking lot and took the photo above of the aftermath, with the dog still at the wheel of the truck.

She told FOX9 the dog seem unfazed. “The dog kept coming to the [driver’s side] window, then jumping down, then coming back,” she said.

Fortunately, no one, including the four-legged driver, was hurt. The dog dad was not issued a citation, but the Minnesota State Patrol removed his truck from service.

It may have been a mechanical problem that was responsible for the wild ride rather than the dog putting the truck into gear.

“EVERY trucker is in habit of setting the parking brake on his semi when parked,” wrote Russell Hibbs in a comment on the Mankato Free Press story. “This parking brake restricts air from his truck and trailer brakes, allowing them to spring out against the drums.

“In order for a dog to shove the truck into gear it HAS to be idling at the correct RPMs in order for it to go into gear. Now, even if the dog did accidentally throw it in gear, the truck would stall out because of lack of movement. There is NO way in hell this can or would happen.”

No matter the cause, it’s a sure bet this dog will be kept restrained the next time his dog dad leaves the cab for a short break.

Photos: Twitter; Twitter

Labrador Retrievers Celebrate Record-Breaking 25th Year as America’s Favorite Dog

For the 25th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever was the most popular breed in the United States in 2015, the American Kennel Club (AKC) announced today. It’s the longest run at No. 1 of any breed in the AKC’s 122-year history.

“The versatile, lovable Lab has firmly planted its paw print in AKC’s history,” said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo.

Continuing to grow in popularity is the French Bulldog. In 2014, for the first time in a century, the breed cracked the top 10, and it jumped from No. 9 to No. 6 last year.

“Keep your eye on the French Bulldog,” DiNardo advised. “The Frenchie has risen 32 spots over the past decade and shows no signs of stopping.”

These are some of the other breeds that are becoming more popular:

  • Cane Corso (jumped from 47th place in 2014 to 35th last year)
  • Norwegian Elkhound (100th to 88th)
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (74th to 35th)
  • Belgian Malinois (59th to 51st)
  • Leonberger (101st to 93rd)

These were the 10 most popular breeds of 2015, with their 2014 ranking in parentheses. I’ve also included helpful links to national rescue organizations for these breeds. Adopt, don’t shop!

  1. Labrador Retriever (1)
  2. German Shepherd (2)
  3. Golden Retriever (3)
  4. Bulldog (4)
  5. Beagle (5)
  6. French Bulldog (9)
  7. Yorkshire Terrier (6)
  8. Poodle (7)
  9. Rottweiler (10)
  10. Boxer (8)

Here’s the complete 2015 AKC breed popularity list.

Photo credit: Jose Roberto V Moraes

Lexi the Lab Saves Choking Dog Dad with ‘Heimlich Manuever’

As Alan Spencer ate a pickled onion last week, the skin became lodged in his throat.

The retiree from East Yorkshire, England, tried to cough it up, to no avail.

“It went straight down my throat and blocked the air completely,” Spencer told the Daily Mail. “I was absolutely petrified. I was coughing and choking, and leaping about trying to get it free.”

As he went to the front door to try to get the attention of a passerby, he collapsed next to his Labradors, Lexi and Nancy.

Suddenly 18-month-old Lexi sprang into action — literally.

“All of a sudden, out of the blue, I felt this almighty crash on my back and it was Lexi,” Spencer said.

Lexi had jumped with all four paws on her dog dad’s back, dislodging the onion skin from his windpipe.

“She saved my life, most definitely,” Spencer said. “If it wasn’t for her, I honestly don’t think I would be here. People will say they are only animals and they don’t know what they were doing, but Lexi is so clever. She is very canny.”

Spencer is doing fine, although he said he had some pain in his back and throat for a few days. As for Lexi, she’s been getting plenty of treats as an award for saving his life.

“Every time I even make a slight cough now, Lexi turns her head quickly,” Spencer said.

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