American Kennel Club Reveals Honolulu's Top Dogs

Business Wire, Jan 16, 2008

-- Nationally, Bulldog Breaks Into "Top 10" for First Time in Nearly 75 Years --

NEW YORK -- The American Kennel Club([R]) announced today the "Top 10" most popular AKC([R]) registered breeds in Honolulu for 2007.*

The AKC also announced their nationwide registration statistics which revealed that the Bulldog - a popular sporting mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs - has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization's annual list of the most popular purebred dogs in America. For the 17th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is still the most popular breed in the country.

Here's a look at Honolulu's Top 10 breeds as compared to the rest of the country:

[TABLE OMITTED]

* Registration data pulled from Honolulu zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service

Local Statistical Snapshot

* The Bulldog may have jumped to 10th place nationally, but he only hovers at 24th place in Hawaii's Capital city - one of the lowest rankings for the breed of all major U.S. cities.

* The venerable Golden Retriever makes a triumphant showing in 1st place in 2007 after maintaining only 4th place in 2006. This meteoric rise dropped the Labrador Retriever into the 2nd slot locally.

* Hawaiians placed the diminutive toy breeds - the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Chihuahua, the Pomeranian, and the Papillon - in the Top 10 yet the Yorkshire Terrier only reached 20th, a large contrast from its national ranking of 2nd place.

* Some of the least common breeds in Honolulu include the Brittany, the Keeshond and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

* Honolulu residents can see and learn more about their favorite breeds and watch one of their own, the Kerry Blue Terrier "Ch. Perrisblu Paris Paris" on February 2 when the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship -- where the world's top dogs compete for $225,000 in prize money and the title of "National Champion" -- airs on Animal Planet from 8-11pm.

"The Golden Retriever has been crowned top dog among Hawaiians that call Honolulu home," says AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "But it's still the small dogs that rule the big hearts of Honolulu dog lovers with six of the Top 10 breeds growing to be less than 20 pounds as adults."

Visit http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm for information on other cities and the complete list of national rankings.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.