What is the most popular dog breed in Arlington?

Arlington has a lot of dogs. How many dogs to be exact? According to the Town Clerk's office, there are currently 2,405 registered dogs in Arlington. That figure does not include unregistered dogs, which would conceivably raise the total significantly higher. If all the dogs in Arlington attended one school, it would have more than 1,000 students more than Arlington High School. 

But what faces make up that dog population? The Advocate looked at the data from the Town Clerk’s office and came up with a list of the most popular dog breeds in the community. 

The list contains all dogs that are identified by their primary breed; for example a dog identified as a “Chihuahua-Beagle” is classified as a Chihuahua. Dogs whose breeds were not identified or were labeled officially as a mutt or mixed-breed were not counted. 

10. Dachshund - 35 

Sometimes referred to as a weiner dog, or hot dog, the Dachshund’s distinctive shape of a long body and short legs comes from its origins as a hunting dog who tracked badgers, foxes and rabbits and thus needed to travel through holes and tunnels created by those animals. 

9. Border Collie - 35

Border Collies are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds and are capable of learning hundreds of different commands. A Border Collie named Chaser owns the Guinness World Record for being the dog that could recognize the most items, recognizing the names of more than 1,000 during an exam. 

8. Labradoodle - 50

One of the most recognized mixed-breeds, the Labradoodle has become one of the most popular dogs in its own right. Labradoodle’s are often advertised as hypoallergenic, and while that may not be 100% true, they have been shown to cause fewer allergic reactions than other dog breeds. 

7. Chihuahua - 55

Chihuahua’s originated in Mexico and date back thousands of years, and are well-known for their small size. A Chihuahua named Milly is recognized as the world’s smallest dog, standing only four inches tall and weighing one pound. 

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6. Golden Doodle - 58

Another recognized mixed-breed, the Golden Doodle is considered a “designer” dog breed, because both parents are pure-bred, but are different breeds. Golden Doodle’s are considered a new dog breed, emerging in the 1990s in the United States. 

5. Beagle - 59

Beagles are known for their long, floppy ears. Some experts believe the ears help the Beagle’s sense of smell; the edges of the ears trap scent particles, allowing the dog to spend more time smelling the scent. 

4. Cockapoo - 66

The Cockapoo is a mix of a cocker spaniel and poodle, and first emerged in the 1960s. The dogs have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly in the United Kingdom, where the price of the average Cockapoo increased by 168% from 2019 to 2020. 

3. Poodle - 77

Unsurprising given the popularity of the cross-breeds involving the poodle, the poodle outright is one of the most popular dogs in Arlington. Poodles are known for their wide variety of coats and styles, and while they are sometimes considered to be delicate or aristocratic dogs, they were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl shot by hunters. 

2. Golden Retriever - 86

Golden Retriever’s may come across as goofy, but the breed is considered highly intelligent and can master many different commands and skills, which is why they are popular as therapy dogs, as well as in search and rescue missions. 

1. Labrador Retrievers - 359 

Yes, according to the data, there are 359 Labs in Arlington, more than four times as many as the next highest breed. Labs come in a variety of different coats, and are regarded as great family dogs due to their friendly nature. Labs have been the most popular dog in America for 30 straight years, according to the American Kennel Club, which reported more than 98,000 Labs in 2020, well ahead of the next closest breed, the French Bulldog which had a population of 66,500. 

The Top Ten Dog Names in Arlington

1. Maggie - 36

2. Charlie - 29

3. Max - 28

4. Rosie - 23

5. Lucy - 21

6. Bella - 21

7. Daisy - 19

8. Luna - 18

9. Cooper - 18

10. Lola - 17