22 Most Popular Dog Breeds For 2017

Now that another year has come and gone, we can reflect on the dog breeds that proved to be a hit in 2017. From the Siberian Husky to the Golden Retriever, here are some of 2017's most popular doggos. Number 22, the Shetland Sheepdog. Known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, the average Shetland Sheepdog is able to learn a new command in under five repetitions of the word. They can also carry out that command on the first try, 95% of the time, or better. These herding dogs aren't just used for moving around livestock, but also make great therapy dogs who do well with children. Their lifespan is between 12 to 13 years, with a couple eye problems that pose as health risks. Number 21, the Boston Terrier. Originating in the United States in the 1870s, the Boston Terrier was bred in order to be a rat hunting dog, as well as for fighting. Modern day Boston Terriers have been bred down to be companion dogs that are eager to please and protect their loved ones. They enjoy socializing with everyone and everything. If they are properly trained otherwise, they become aggressive towards strangers and other dogs, specifically males. Number 20, the Pomeranian. Also referred to as the Pom Pom, today's Pomeranians were bred in the region known as Pomerania, an area of shore on the Baltic Sea that is split between Germany and Poland. The breed was quite popular with royals since the 18th century, and the most notable was the one owned by Queen Victoria. Pomeranians are such lively and playful breeds that they need lots of attention, though they don't need much exercise. A short walk daily will do just fine. Number 19, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. One of the smallest breed of cattle herding dogs, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes from Pembrokeshire, Wales. Due to their strong herding instincts, younger corgis tend to nip at their owner's ankles to try and round them up. They are very affectionate and love to please their owners while following them just about everywhere. They've been so popular that even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has had more than 30 of them as her time spent as queen. Number 18, the Shih Tzu. This tiny breed of toy dog doesn't have an exact origin known, but it's believed that it started out in Tibet and then developed in China. A Shih Tzu's temperament is different with each individual, but usually they're friendly and loyal dogs that need to be properly trained at a young age. Though they weren't bred for it, Shih Tzus make fantastic guard dogs because of how alert and active they are. They do, however, tend to suffer from several health issues like breathing and eye problems. Number 17, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed of dog comes from the United Kingdom where it has managed to become one of the most popular dog breeds in several countries. These dogs are great with families that have children and other pets because they require a generous amount of affection and it's not recommended that you leave them alone for long hours. They make wonderful therapy dogs thanks to their sweet personalities and won't mind either going on walks or vegging out on the couch. Number 16, the Miniature Schnauzer. These little pups were bred sometime in the 19th century in Germany where their purpose was to hunt rats. Though they are small in stature, the Miniature Schnauzer is a good guard dog that doesn't come with the tendency to bite, rather relying on their bark to scare an intruder away. They typically will stay distant towards newcomers until their owners properly introduce them and only then will they become friendly. They are prone to attacking small animals and cats due to their high prey drive, but they can be curbed with training. Number 15, the Great Dane. These gentle giants happen to be one of the largest and tallest breeds of dogs out there. Their friendly nature is what makes them great with children and they enjoy seeking out physical affection. They tend to get along with other pets and familiar people, but if they are improperly socialized, they can become aggressive or fearful towards strangers or new environments. Sadly, Great Danes get their nickname, the Heartbreak Breed, due to their short lifespan. It only lasts six to eight years, 10 if they're lucky. Number 14, the Doberman Pinscher. A German man by the name of Karl Frederick Louis Doberman is responsible for developing the Doberman that we know of today back in the 1890s. They were bred for the purpose of being personal guard dogs and as a result, inherited traits such as fearlessness, obedience, and loyalty. The breed has been stereotyped as aggressive and ferocious, but it's actually a watchful dog that will go the extra mile to protect its owners with the proper training. Number 13, the Dash Hound. Appropriately nicknamed the wiener dog, the Dash Hound is a hound-type dog that was bred in order to help hunters flush out small animals, such as badgers and prairie dogs. They were also used for sniffing out wounded deer and when used in packs, could take down wild boars and even wolverines. These days, Dash Hounds are known for being incredibly playful, but also very stubborn. Training them is definitely a challenge, but the reward is worth it. Number 12, the Siberian Husky. This breed of dog originated in the northeastern region of Siberia, Russia, where they were bred by the Chukchi people. Because of this, the Siberian Husky was raised and cared for in a family environment, making them good with children. These dogs are equipped with a special double-layered coat that allows them to withstand temperatures as low as negative 50 to 60 degrees Celsius or negative 58 to negative 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Huskies are known as escape artists as they have been known to jump over, chew, and dig through fences, so they require lots of attention. Number 11, the German Shorthaired Pointer. These dogs were bred back in the 19th century, Germany, in order to be a versatile breed of hunters, both adept for land and water, thanks to their webbed feet. The German Shorthaired Pointer, or GSP, is trained as a gundog that will go and retrieve game and as its name suggests, it's known for pointing with its body. This breed isn't suitable for families that have smaller animals, such as rabbits or even cats. Number 10, the Boxer. This breed of dog was created by crossbreeding an old English Bulldog and a Bullenbeiser, a breed of dog which is now extinct. The extinction was directly caused by crossbreeding solely for the purpose of getting rid of the breed's excessive white coat and the fact that the breed was so popular, they needed more. Boxers come with a bright and energetic personality that need lots of exercise and activities to prevent them from getting bored. Otherwise, they'll start chewing and digging. Number nine, the Rottweiler. This breed happens to be one of the oldest herding breeds and it's believed they are possibly descended from herding dogs used by the Roman Empire. Rottweilers might seem like a vicious breed that can attack you at a moment's notice, but really, they're just lovable giants. Their reputation as being unfriendly and prone to nasty behavior is mostly the fault of the owner due to abuse, neglect, and improper socialization or lack of. In reality, this breed is dedicated to protecting its family and has a temperament that is calm and confident. Number eight, the Poodle. This national dog of France actually originated in Germany where it was bred to be a hunter. These days, the breed is more of a show dog where it has competed and won in the Westminster Kennel Dog Show and the World Dog Show. Poodles are perfect for competing as they are able to perform a multitude of tricks. Fun fact, their coats happen to be waterproof, making them excellent swimmers. Number seven, Yorkshire Terrier. Originally, the Yorkshire Terrier was bred back in the 19th century of Yorkshire, England in order to help catch rats that would make their homes in clothing mills. This is why the breed's size is so small, and the average Yorkie will only weigh up to seven pounds, while some can surpass this, weighing in at 15 pounds. Because they were bred to work, Yorkies do require a good amount of mental and physical stimulation, such as long walks and games. These smart pups are usually geared for families with older people and not for children under eight. Number six, the French Bulldog. Also known as Frenchies, the French Bulldog's popularity has managed to have a 245% increase in the last 10 years, as reported by the American Kennel Club. These high-maintenance dogs do have special requirements that should be purchased by experienced pet owners. They suffer from separation anxiety and cannot be left alone for more than a couple hours at a time, especially as puppies. This will lead to them chewing up on things they can get ahold of. One of these pups will end up costing you between $2,000 to $7,000. Number five, the Beagle. This breed has been around for quite some time, precisely around 2,500 years, though the modern breed that we know today was bred in Great Britain back in the 1830s. The Beagle has managed to remain a fairly popular breed with homeowners due to their stature and well-behaved temper. A bonus to this breed is that they can live up to 12 to 15 years and have a low rate of inheriting health problems. Number four, the Bulldog. The Bulldog is known for having a personality that is described as being, quote, kind and courageous, although it should be noted that they are prone to being quite stubborn. They make excellent house pets as they are capable of forming incredibly strong bonds with children. They do require daily exercise in order to prevent them from becoming obese, as this breed does love to eat. Number three, the Golden Retriever. Thanks to television and films like Homeward Bound and Air Bud, Golden Retrievers have been solidified as one of the most sought-after breeds around the world. It's also the fact that the breed is just known for being overall exceptional. Their friendly disposition makes them socially great with not just people, but other animals as well. Self-confident and playful, this breed needs a lot of exercise in order to keep its puppy personality, which can last between three and four years, from getting too hyper. Number two, the German Shepherd. Known for being one of the most intelligent breeds, the German Shepherd is one fiercely loyal dog that will be devoted to whatever family it joins. Originally bred for the purpose of herding sheep, the German Shepherd has now evolved into a working dog that is being used to detect explosives for search and rescues, and even acting as service dogs for those with disabilities. Their inquisitive nature and reservations about strangers make them excellent guard dogs, but they can become overprotective if they aren't socialized properly. Number one, the Labrador Retriever. It's no surprise that the Labrador Retriever is the number one spot, as it has been for the last 25 years since it dethroned the poodle back in 1991. This is the longest reign a dog has had the title for number one breed on the American Kennel Club's list, the previous being the poodle's 22-year run. Labs are described as being well-tempered and are ideal for families that have children or other pets.