For, every (pet) dog has its day

That the Labrador would retain its place as top dog in the American Kennel Club (AKC) list for the year 2020 was not surprising as it can probably claim squatter’s rights to that spot having been there for 30 years. Even its floppy-eared predecessor, the cocker spaniel, had only 23 years as the prime pet pooch. Despite smarting from the onslaught of l’Americain and Le Anglais culture, the French can allow themselves a petit sourire affecté (a tiny smirk) that the little French bulldog is now nipping at the Labrador’s footpads having jumped two places to second spot, ending the German Shepherd’s 11-year occupation. Of course, the nationality of dogs is notional — your golden Labrador Sheru or black Rani can hardly be considered a Canadian ‘furriner’ because some distant ancestor was brought from Newfoundland 200 years ago and bred as a gun dog in England.

As the list is based on AKC registrations only, mixed breeds do not count, so Labradoodles, Puggles, Cavachons, Chiweenies, Yorkipoos and other ‘designer dogs’ have not been factored in. It can, therefore, hardly be considered an accurate gauge of the most popular canines anywhere. If mutts — ‘natural’ or designer — are to be taken as a category if not a breed, they would certainly be contenders for top dog as they constitute more than half the number of pet canines overall.