Labradors lead the pack in Virginia dog breed ranking
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Labrador Retrievers are the top dog breed in Virginia, according to a new U.S. News & World Report analysis.
Why it matters: It's National Dog Day, so we're celebrating all the good boys and girls out there in this dog-loving city.
The big picture: U.S. News' annual report used pet insurance data going back to 2022 to tally the top breeds in every state.
- In Virginia, they are: Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
- Nationwide, it's Labs, Chihuahuas and Goldens.
Flashback: Last year, the Chihuahua was No. 1, but analysts had separated "Labs" (then No. 2) and "black Labs" (then No. 10) into separate categories.
- This year, the Labrador category includes Labs of all colors.
The fine print: The annual report relies on pet insurance data, so it doesn't account for every dog in the country.
- It's also tricky to track mutt popularity. The study counted "mixed breed," "pit bull," and labels like "German Shepherd mix" as separate categories. The Goldendoodle was the only mixed breed to crack the top 10.
Of note: It's a big year for the dachshund, which made its debut on the top 10 national ranking this year.
The bottom line: Labs may rule in Virginia households, but in this city, we love every breed of dog — just as long as their owner takes their poop home to their own trashcan after a walk.