Labrador Retriever leads AKC's Top 10 for 2008

Raleigh, N.C.

-- The Labrador Retriever is again the nation's most popular purebred dog, but that has nothing to do with the recent movie, "Marley and Me."

Labs clinched the top dog spot for the last 18 years in a row, according to the American Kennel Club, which annually ranks the most popular breeds.

More than twice as many Labs were registered over other breeds with the club in 2008, the group says, but other breeds are advancing.

The number of Bulldogs registered with the club increased the most over the last decade, joining the top 10 breeds last year for the first time in more than 70 years. This year, the Bulldog landed in eighth place.

The second most popular breed for 2008 was the Yorkshire Terrier, followed by the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, the Poodle in ninth place and the Shih Tzi in 10th.

In celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the AKC compared the 2008 list to the first nine breeds it registered in 1884, which were the Pointer, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, English Setter, Golden Setter, Irish Setter, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel. None of those ranks anywhere near today's top 10.

The AKC now recognizes 161 different dog breeds.