A new study has revealed the most popular dog breed in every US state, with a particular type of companion dog being driven a great distance.
Everyone has their reasons for preferring a particular type of dog: some are looking for a kid-friendly dog, others prefer a companion dog that enjoys walks and the outdoors, and others choose a four-legged friend. Legs that are happy to sit inside a handbag.
However, what many may not realize is that your choice of dog breed can say a lot about you as a person.
A study conducted by psychologists at the University of Bath Spa in the UK concluded that our ethnic preference can often be a reflection of our personality.
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“We choose dogs that look a little bit like us, just as we choose a love partner that looks a little bit like us,” lead researcher Lance Workman told Live Science. The study saw 1,000 purebred dog owners complete a questionnaire designed to assess their personality traits.
What they found was an association between the type of dog and the owner’s personality. For example, those who owned Golden Retrievers, Labradors, or Chihuahuas were more accepting while those who owned Bulldogs or German Shepherds were more open.
The apparent weighting of Labrador owners could partly explain the results of a new survey conducted by Embrace Pet Insurance exploring the most popular dog breeds in every US state.
Labrador Retrievers took the lead, with the study finding them to be the most popular breed in 80% of states. A spokesperson for Embrace Pet Insurance said, “As one of the cutest and most egalitarian breeds, it is no secret that this loyal and incredibly intelligent breed is a favorite of the majority of the country.” Embrace Pet Insurance.
According to the data, Labradors have led the way in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Golden Retrievers rank as the second most popular breed in America, with research indicating that this type of “friendly and outgoing” dog makes a great addition to any family looking to welcome a dog into their home. They are rated as the most popular breed in Arkansas, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Interestingly, German Shepherds ranked third, with their protective approach and hard work making them popular in North Dakota and Tennessee.
French Bulldogs were also a popular choice, ranking among the most popular Hawaiian dog breeds, while the protective qualities of Doberman dogs helped them rank this breed as the best Minnesota dog breed.
There were similar extremes in Nebraska and West Virginia, with the Goldendoodle and the miniature schnauzer coming to the fore as the most popular breed in these two states respectively.
Gina Mahan, Director of Claims and Underwriting at Embrace Pet Insurance, analyzed the data by region and found some additional insights of interest.
While Labrador, Golden Retriever, and mixed dogs outnumber others in most states, an examination of data by region revealed some unique quirks. For example, in the Midwest, there are more Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Miniature Schnauzers than the average.
Mahan also found that in the northeast there appear to be more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Havanese, Cockapoos, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dachshunds, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis than average.
Meanwhile, in the south there are usually more Miniature Schnauzers, Maltese and Bugs than the average. Elsewhere in the West, Chihuahuas, Maltipoos, Shih Tzus and Miniature Schnauzers appear to be more than average.
“It stands to reason that some of the larger breeds are popular in areas like the Midwest, because these breeds fit so well in larger spaces and yards for jogging,” an Embrace Pet Insurance spokesperson said.
“You tend to see this same trend with smaller breeds in the Northeast, but it is important to note that the area includes states like Vermont, which may also explain the prevalence of Bernese Mountain dogs.”
In addition to data on the most popular dog breeds, Mahan also pulled data to identify the most popular pet names by state and found “Luna” to be the most common pet name. Common in 24 states. The five largest states with the largest number of luna are California (734), Florida (311), New York (231), Washington (228), and New Jersey (152).
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