And America’s Best-Loved Dog Breed Is (Still) …

Labrador retrievers are the most popular purebred dog in the country for the 25th year running. That’s according to latest rankings from the American Kennel Club.

The AKC describes the Lab’s personality as friendly, active and outgoing.

The breed has held the AKC’s No. 1 spot for longer than any other breed since the organization started counting in the 1880s, the Associated Press reports.

French bulldogs are gaining ground, however, jumping from No. 9 last year to No. 6 this year, which is the first time since the 1910s that the breed has ranked that high. The AP credits TV shows, movies and celebrity owners — including Martha Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Carrie Fisher — with helping to popularize French bulldogs.

The AKC’s rankings do not include mixed-breed dogs like Labradoodles or Maltipoos that are not recognized by the organization. The rankings also have detractors, as the AP notes:

Some animal-rights advocates feel the pursuit of purebreds fuels puppy mills and makes it harder to find homes for mixed-breeds in shelters. The AKC says breed characteristics help people find the right dog to give a permanent home.

The breeds that top the AKC’s latest rankings are:

1. Retrievers (Labrador)
2. German Shepherds
3. Retrievers (Golden)
4. Bulldogs
5. Beagles
6. French Bulldogs
7. Yorkshire Terriers
8. Poodles
9. Rottweilers
10. Boxers

At the tail end of the AKC’s rankings is the English Foxhound, which is ranked No. 184.

For the complete rankings, visit AKC.org.

If you’re considering getting a dog or looking to save money with a pet you already have, check out:

• “The Real Cost of Cats and Dogs“
• “9 Ways to Get Cheap or Free Vet Care for Your Pet“
• “28 Ways to Save Big Bucks on Pet Supplies“

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