3. DOGS! Mans best friend

4. Top Ten Dog Breeds of 2009 Top 10 Breeds of 2009 RankBreedGroup 1Labrador Retriever Sporting 2German Shepherd Herding 3Yorkshire TerrierToy 4Golden RetrieverSporting 5BeagleHound 6BoxerWorking 7BulldogNon-sporting 8DachshundHound 9PoodleNon-sporting, toy 10Shih TzuToy

5. Labrador Retriever Males: 65-80 lbs. Females: 55-70 lbs Black, chocolate, or yellow Relatively healthy, but could develop hip or elbow dysplasia Intelligent, good temperament Heavy shedders, so basic grooming Great family dogs

6. German Shepherds Males: 70-100 lbs. Females: 60-80 lbs. Black and tan, blue, or white Loyal, intelligent, noble With proper training, good family pets Healthy but could develop hip or elbow dysplasia, gastric dilatation, or degenerative myelopathy. Great guide or guard dogs. Heavy shedders so routine grooming

7. 5-7 lbs Blue and tan Could develop patellar luxation, collapsing trachea, or intervertebral disc disease Good for apartments, but need exercise Hypoallergenic Vocal, protective, and loyal Yorkshire Terrier

8. Golden Retriever Males: 65-70 lbs. Females: 55-65 lbs. Light to dark gold A healthy breed but dysplasia and cancer are seen often Intelligent family or hunting dogs Brush regularly

9. Beagle Wonderful loyal companions with training Males: 22-25 lbs. Females: 20-23 lbs. Tri-color, red/white, and lemon/white Spinal and thyroid problems Stubborn, high-energy, need training Basic grooming

10. Boxer Males: 60-70 lbs Females: 55-65 lbs. Fawn or brindle with white marks Cancer, entropion, and ectropion are some health concerns Require training because they like to jump and are energitic Good family pets Minimul grooming

11. 40-50 lbs. White, fawn, brindle, red, fallow, or piebald Many skin, eye, and back problems Prone to shedding Obedience training highly recommended because they get distracted, but are calm and friendly. Great dog for all families. English Bulldog

12. Dachsund 16-32 lbs. Come in various colors and coat lengths Many health problems Lovable, but tend to be stubborn, and aggressive, so lots of training Grooming depends on coat Great family lap dogs with proper training

13. Poodle Standard: 45-70 lbs. Miniature: 15-18 lbs. Toy: 5-9 lbs. White, black, grey, brown, apricot Can develop joint problems Intelligent and easily trained Proper grooming Hypoallergenic Have a long life span

14. 9-16 lbs.Come in any colorIntervertebral disc disease and dry eye are popular problemsStrict groomingHypoallergenicWonderful lap dogs Shih Tzu

15. Mutts are fun too! There are many dogs in animal shelters who need homes too! These dogs tend to be healthier than pure breeds and you are saving a life.

16. http://dogs.about.com/od/dogbreeds/tp/popu lar_breeds_2009.htm http://dogs.about.com/od/dogbreeds/tp/popu lar_breeds_2009.htm http://www.adhvanik.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/04/labradore1- e1270674856939.jpg http://www.adhvanik.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/04/labradore1- e1270674856939.jpg Sources