Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds

Chicago is a city of dog lovers. Dog owners crowd Montrose Dog Beach to play in the lake with their pups. When you step outside, you’ll inevitably see dogs faithfully trotting alongside their owners (or lunging for the nearest pigeon). Block Club Chicago did a deep dive into city data to find out the top breeds in Chicago.

 

Mutts Take the Top Prize

If you go to any given dog park in the city, the conversation starters are pretty much the same. What’s your dog’s name? How old is she? What type of dog is that? With the last question, you’ll get some interesting answers. There are certainly purebred dogs chasing Frisbees around the city, but the answer to that question is often “I don’t know” or a detailed description of the doggie DNA test the owner ordered to track down their pooch’s lineage. It is no surprise that mutts frequently come up in dog park conversation. Block Club Chicago found that mixed breed dogs are the most popular in Chicago. Pit bulls are a close second. The other most common dogs in the city are:

• Labrador retriever
• German shepherd
• Shih tzu
• Terrier mix
• Labrador retriever mix
• Chihuahua
• Golden retriever
• Goldendoodle

 

Top Dog by Chicago Zip Code

Pooch popularity varies around the city, according to the Block Club Chicago report. In Old Town and the Gold Cost, Labrador retrievers reign supreme. On the Near West Side, you can expect to see more German shepherds. Block Club Chicago displayed breed popularity on the map. Mixed breeds cover most of the North Side of the city, while pit bulls – the second most popular breed – cover most of the South Side of the city.

 

Is Your Dog Named Bella?

If you run into another furry Bella at the park or out on a walk, don’t be surprised. Block Club Chicago went a step further to find out just what Chicagoans are naming their dogs. Since August 2015, residents have registered 430 dogs with the name Bella, according to the report. Block Club Chicago found the other top registered names, including:

• Max: 385
• Charlie: 383
• Rocky: 296
• Lucy: 289
• Coco: 261
• Daisy: 236
• Lola: 231
• Buddy: 231
• Bailey: 208

 

While Chicagoans loves these popular names, Block Club Chicago’s research uncovered some more unusual dog tags (Albus Dumbledore and Meatloaf among them). If you are looking to get involved with the canine community, join us on our #SparkandBark mission. We volunteer to walk shelter dogs and help them find their forever homes. It’s even possible you’ll meet a Bella or Max who completely steals your heart.

 

Written by Carrie Pallardy