Dogs

Each year around this time, the AKC (American Kennel Club) announces the most popular breeds according to their breed registry.

For the 24th year in a row, the Labrador Retriever has topped the list. Of course, as someone who shares her heart and home with a Lab mix, this doesn’t surprise me at all. True to the breed’s reputation, Chilly is smart, active, friendly and loving.

However, he’s also part…something else. Which means he’s, well, a mutt. And I love the mutt part of him just as much as I love the Lab part. It doesn’t matter to me what his genetic makeup is. What matters is that he fits in perfectly with our family and lifestyle.

Whether you choose a purebred or a mutt, it’s important to consider things like the ages of everyone in your family, your activity level, your hobbies and interests, and your housing situation. Check out the list below for general personality traits of different breeds that might be a good fit for you.