#MiddleburyCT #Dogs #SmallDogs #BigDogs
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Why are so many people opting for small, yappy dogs these days instead of big dogs? That seems to be all I see when folks walk their dogs around here. A small dog won’t protect you or your home. – Bobby T., Oak Ridge, Tennessee
DEAR BOBBY: While it may seem that most dog owners are choosing smaller breeds, the number of small vs. large dogs varies greatly depending on where you live. So you may observe that most of your immediate neighbors have small dogs – but their popularity is not as universal as you think.
The American Kennel Club, for example, annually lists the most popular dogs by number of registrations per breed. In 2023, the most recent year of published data, the French bulldog was the most popular registered breed in the U.S. However, among the top 10 breeds, only four – including the French bulldog, Dachshund, Beagle and Bulldog – could be classified as “small.” The remaining six most popular dogs, including the Rottweiler, Golden Retriever and German Shorthaired Pointer, are all large breeds.
Not all U.S. households that own dogs have registered breeds, of course, The American Veterinary Medical Association in 2024 reported that just under half of U.S. households own dogs, while 32.1% are cat owners. So, while the French bulldog may be the most popular AKC-registered pet, that statistic doesn’t take into account all of the dogs that are being walked through their neighborhoods nationwide.
Security-wise, having a dog of any size can be a deterrent for potential intruders (or attackers). Large breeds, often gentle giants, can deter people with bad intentions easily, but smaller breeds should not be underestimated.
Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.
© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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