Labrador retriever named American Kennel Club's most popular dog breed for 28th year

German Shepherds are the second most popular pick for man's best friend.

March 20, 2019, 10:09 AM
Labrador Retriever named American Kennel Club's most popular dog breed for 28th year.
Labrador Retriever named American Kennel Club's most popular dog breed for 28th year.
American Kennel Club

Humans just cannot get enough of labs -- the loyal, loveable dogs topped the American Kennel Club's list of most popular breeds for the 28th year, the club announced Wednesday.

After over a quarter of a century as man's favorite best friends, the Labrador retriever "shows no signs of giving up the top spot anytime soon," the AKC's executive secretary Gina DiNardo said in a statement.

"Labs make wonderful companions for a wide variety of people, and for good reason," she added. "The breed is very intelligent, friendly and great with children."

German shepherds, Golden retrievers and French bulldogs followed close behind labs on the AKC's list. Check out their top 10 most popular breeds below.

Most popular dog breeds of 2018

1. Labrador retriever

PHOTO: Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever named American Kennel Club's most popular dog breed for 28th year.
American Kennel Club

2. German shepherd Dog

PHOTO: German shepherds are No. 2 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
German shepherds are No. 2 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

3. Golden retriever

PHOTO: Golden retrievers are No. 3 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
Golden retrievers are No. 3 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

4. French bulldog

PHOTO: French Bulldog
French Bulldogs made the American Kennel Club's list of the top 10 most popular breeds in 2018.
American Kennel Club

5. Bulldog

PHOTO: Bulldog
Bulldogs made the American Kennel Club's list of the top 10 most popular breeds in 2018.
American Kennel Club

6. Beagle

PHOTO: Beagles are No. 6 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
Beagles are No. 6 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

7. Poodle

PHOTO: Poodles are No. 7 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
Poodles are No. 7 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

8. Rottweiler

PHOTO: Rottweilers are No. 8 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
Rottweilers are No. 8 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

9. German Shorthaired pointer

PHOTO: German Shorthaired pointer are No. 9 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
German Shorthaired pointer are No. 9 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018.
American Kennel Club

10. Yorkshire terrier

PHOTO: Yorkshire terriers are pointer are No. 10 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018
Yorkshire terriers are pointer are No. 10 on the AKC's most popular dog breeds of 2018
American Kennel Club

Notably, the German Shorthaired pointer made a big leap on last year's list, climbing to the ninth spot -- the breed's highest position on the list since becoming recognized in 1930, according to the AKC.

"This jack of all trades in the pointer world has slowly but steadily risen in popularity over the years," DiNardo said in a statement. "People continue to fall in love with its versatility, extreme intelligence and willingness to please.”

Some other rare breeds that have been growing in popularity over the past few years include the Pumik (who jumped 11 spots in one year), Ibizan hounds (who jumped 13 spots) and Finnish lapphunds (who climbed 12 spots).