It’s National Puppy Day!
To celebrate, you can take your dog to a dog park, buy them new treats, visit a dog-friendly business or just get some extra cuddles in on the couch.
In honor of mankind’s best friend, we decided to do a deep dive into the trends of dogs in Delaware.
A new breed takes the crown
The American Kennel Club announced last week that the French Bulldog was the most popular dog breed of 2022 for the first time in history, ending the Labrador Retriever’s dominant 31-year reign.
Labrador retriever has been bumped to the second most popular dog breed, followed in succession by the golden retriever (Delaware’s official state dog), German shepherd and poodle.
Reader’s Digest found that Labrador retrievers and German shepherds are the most popular breeds in Delaware.
The least popular dog breeds in 2022, but by no means the least cute, were the Sloughi, Norwegian Lundehund and the English Foxhound.
More:Why New Castle County courthouse is taking a dog to trial
What is the most popular dog name in Delaware?
Pet care franchise Camp Bow Wow analyzed a database of over 400,000 submissions to identify the most popular dog names in North America.
According to the study, Delaware’s most popular dog name was Bella, which is also the second most popular name in the country.
Bella Luna!
But if you ever yell “Luna!” at a local dog park, you may just be bombarded with a dozen or so furry friends running your way. Luna was far and away the most popular dog name across most states. Charlie, Daisy, Lucy, Cooper, Max and Bailey were among some of the top names, as well.
More:Animal escape room, otters & more zoo fun in Delaware, Philadelphia & New Jersey
Delaware loves its dogs
A study from Forbes ranked Delawareans as some of the most devoted dog owners in the country.
Forty percent of respondents agreed that they would spend over $4,000 to save their dog’s life and another 7.5% of respondents said they’ve broken up with a significant other who didn’t approve of their dog.
To celebrate National Puppy Day, there are plenty of nonprofit and rescue organizations across the state that will accept donations, volunteers and of course, adoptions.
Check out a few here:
If you’re in the mood to celebrate with your dog out on the town, check out a story we published over the summer with some places you can take your dog in public.
And if all of this isn’t enough, don’t fret. National Dog Day is coming on Aug. 26.
Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
Go together:Dog-friendly places to take your best friend in Delaware
