Americans still dig French bulldogs, retrievers and German shepherds. But dachshunds are increasingly hot dogs. For the first time in over two decades, the sausage-shaped hounds were among the top five most prevalent dog breeds in American Kennel Club rankings released Wednesday. The list covers 202 breeds. The standings are based on puppies and older purebreds that were added last year to the AKC’s registry. The rankings aren't a complete picture of the U.S. canine population. They don't include mixed-breed dogs and trendy hybrids such as goldendoodles. The annual list regularly sparks criticism from dog breeding opponents such as the animal rights group PETA.
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FILE - Four dachshunds wait in a basket of a breeder at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, file)
FILE - Magalí Maisonnave poses for a photo with her dachshund Sandro, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, file)
FILE - German Shepherd family protection dog Lobo rests at the Strapestone Kennels in Radstock, England, March 5, 2025 .(AP Photo/Frank Augstein, file)
FILE - Winston, a French bulldog, competes in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, May 8, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
FILE- In this Jan. 6, 2010 file photo, a golden retriever looks over the half door entrance of the grooming room at Happy Paws in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
AP
The North Dakota Highway Patrol's newest recruit has floppy ears, four legs and a powerful tool for finding people. Beau the bloodhound pup joins a band of dogs that is in demand for difficult cases around the Midwest. The Patrol now has four bloodhounds, and they've been called to Montana, South Dakota and Utah to help searches. Trooper Steven Mayer helps train dogs around the world. The Patrol's dogs are also something of a social media sensation, which Mayer hopes creates awareness and inspires earlier calls for assistance.
As crews and residents work to clean up after a winter storm, many in Ocean City are balancing storm recovery with moments of enjoyment in the snow.
Winter weather is here, and salt is covering roads and sidewalks to help prevent slips and falls. While it helps keep people safe, veterinarians say it can be harmful to dogs’ paws.
Scrapple and Bay Blazer were named co-winners of the 2026 “Pup of the Pines” contest after a tie in votes, the first in the event’s history.