The Top 5 Best Dog Breeds In The World

One of the most difficult questions to answer is how many dog breeds exist inthe world today. Even more difficult is to determine which of these hundreds ofdog breeds is best to own. In reality, there are thousands of variationsrecognized by many different kennel clubs around the world. And currently,there are over 150 unique dog breeds officially recognized by the AmericanKennel Club which doesn't even include mixed breed varieties.

Determining the best dog breeds in the world might seem like a prettysubjective decision, but we've developed a list of some the most popularbreeds around the globe today. The list incorporates dogs of all sizes, but areranked based on their overall popularity, companionship level, groomingmaintenance, family friendliness, appearance, and temperament.

#1 The Labrador Retriever

According to the recent AKC dog registration statistics, the Labrador rankedfirst over the last 10 years as the most popular breed owned in the UnitedStates. Why is that? Well, the Labrador is wonderful choice for families andindividual owners alike. This breed comes in a variety of different colorsmaking for more many options for appearance. The lab is athletic, playful, and

loyal and creates one of the best friendships between owner and canine. Oneof the best benefit for owning a lab is their ability to thrive in almost anyenvironment. Due to high rankings in every category, we select the Labrador totop the list.

#2 The Bulldog

The bulldog has always been a high ranking breed in terms of popularity, butwe select the bulldog to take second place in our list. This breed is considereda medium sized dog with an adorable appearance and gentle temperament.They are considered the best dog for families according to Ceaser Milan due totheir exceptional ability to bond to children. While they may not be the mostathletic, they love to play and go on walks. The intelligence level of this breedis impressive and they get flying marks for train-ability. No wonder this breedcontinues to be one of the best canine companions around the world.

#3 The Golden Retriever

These breed ranks high in appearance, temperament, and friendliness. GoldRetrievers have long been held as one of the most popular breeds to ownworldwide. They are very similar to labs in that they are very versatile, and lovehuman companionship. They do shed a bit more due to their longer coats, butgrooming requirements are minimal. Goldens are a healthy breed and areextremely easy to train because of their superb intelligence. They areconsidered a working breed and can be useful rescue, hunting, or assistancedogs. Due to their longing to be active, Golden Retrievers would prefer to livein a larger home with lots of play room, but can suit well to smaller spaces. Justmake sure to take them on regular walks.

#4 The Beagle

For those with smaller living spaces or preference to smaller breeds, thebeagle is a top dog choice. While they score lower on grooming maintenance,they score high on friendliness and energy. Great for singles and families, thisbreed is very intelligent and interactive. Beagles are great with children anddon't require a large amount of activity to stay happy. This breed also comes inseveral color varieties and patterns which means no two beagles look alike.The beagles are considered part of the hound dog group and they are greatcompanions for hunters. All around, this breed will suit any family here in theUS or worldwide.

#5 The Poodle

If you are looking for a statement making breed, try the Poodle. Historicallyknown for its prestige and good looks, the poodle will be a wonderful additionto any household. Keep in mind though, only the standard poodle is good forfamilies and children. Miniature poodles can be a little high strung and thewrong temperament for young children. However if you opt for the standardpoodle you will get an extremely smart and trainable breed. Standard poodlesare very gentle and good natured, and are wonderful lap dogs. Not to mentionthe breed comes in a variety of colors and you can groom them to look verydifferent from one to the other. Even though they require more grooming, thisbreed has ranked in the top 10 for over ten years as one of the most popularbreeds to own in the US.