The Dachshund Tumbles Yet Again, To The 10th Most Popular Dog In The United States Of America

It's all about me

 

The American Kennel Club has released its registration statistics for 2012, and we find that the lovable Dachshund has slipped from the 9th to the 10th most popular dog in The United States of America.  Via the AKC:

 

 

Proving that bigger really is better, the American Kennel Club announced today that the Bulldog has muscled its way into the top 5, becoming the fifth most popular dog in the U.S. according to AKC Registration Statistics, bumping the tiny Yorkshire Terrier into sixth place for the first time since 2003. The Golden Retriever also pushed its way back to the top, overtaking the Beagle for third place, and Rottweilers continued their climb up the top 10 list by taking ninth place away from the Dachshund, both adding to the bigger breed trend. Labrador Retriever lovers have again spoken – the playful, family friendly breed remains the number one most popular breed in the U.S. for the 22nd consecutive year, tying with the Poodle for the longest reign in the top spot.

"Bigger breeds are making their move," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The popularity of the pint-sized, portable pooch just gave way to a litter of larger breeds in the Top 10. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love."

We've been saving this data for years, and if we spend about an hour graphing out AKC's Dachshund registration statistics over the last thirteen years, we can plainly see the alarming trend of the fall of our popularity.  Of course, these are registration statistics, and heaven only knows how many Dachshunds aren't even registered with the AKC each year.

The Dachshund seems to have lost popularity in many major cities across America as well, most notably New York, where we were in the top 5 for many years.  In major cities for 2012, we find that only in Buffalo is the Dachshund in the top 5, reigning in at number 3, leaping from seventh in 2011.

Falling in popularity isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more popular a dog, the greater likelihood that their numbers will increase in Rescue. And we are still in the top 10 after all.  Barely.

 

 

Who's the Fairest of them all?

 

Read all the stats at The American Kennel Club.

The 2012 Dachshund National Specialty Show

OOhhh!  We love to watch the beautiful Dachshunds.  The 2012 Dachshund Club of America's National Specialty Show was held in Pine Mountain, Georgia April 16 - 21.  Show highlights by youtuber Purebred Studios.

Catching Up With Iris Love

Iris Love with her dachshunds, Euphrosyne and Diomedes.

Thanks so much to Elizabeth Romaine for writing in that Iris Love, our favorite (and only?) Grand Dachshund Socialite, is featured in a revealing article in The New York Times that any good Dachshundist will not want to miss.  Elizabeth writes:

Dear Joey and Rowdy,

Just wanted to let you know that in today's NY Times - Rowdy's b-day - that there's a lovely article about Iris Love.  I would never have known about this lovely lady if not for your terrific blog and now I know who took in Mrs. Astor's doxies. Thanks to you as well.

I'm from Westchester County originally, and Mrs. A is one of my heroes. And Ms. Love now is as well. Whatever could be the connection? :)

Gigi Marie Louise sends her best. The Chows remain aloof as always.

Here's an excerpt from the article In Iris Love’s Wide Circle of Friends:

SOME dog lovers live for their dogs and hardly give people the time of day. Others are more social. And then there is Iris Love, the New York socialite whose Pekingese won the Best in Show award this year at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.    

A fun-loving and gracious archaeologist, Ms. Love, now 78, has been out-and-about in New York for at least six decades, long enough that [Dachshund Lover] Andy Warhol mentioned her in his diaries nine times.

“I’m a very social person,” Ms. Love said on a recent Friday, while two of her 36 champion dachshunds, Euphrosyne and Diomedes, chewed on bones at a dog-loving friend’s Upper East Side apartment. “And I take pleasure in meeting all kinds of creative people.” 

 Of course when you have Liz Smith in your life — as a friend, romantic partner (“for 15 years,” Ms. Love said) and, these days, roommate — meeting all kinds of people is relatively easy.    

Read the rest at The New York Times.   

Related:  Iris Love in the Archives        

Happy Pi(e) Day!

Dylan's attempt to shout "Happy Pi(e) day from all the treetops!

We would have totally forgotten the extra snuggles tonight if it weren't for our handsome friend 'Dylan' writing in:

Hi Joey and Rowdy,

I know Wed traditionally belongs to the wires but Wed 3/14 is an extra special day since it is PI(e) Day!  There are 52 Wednesdays in a year but only 1 PI(e) Day.  I was hoping we could get a shout out to all the wonderful PI(e)s out there?   Joey should also get extra treats today....I already have that well trained into my human :)

Wags,
Dylan
your PI(e) brother


Stand up and be counted.....it's treats galore for all the piebald brethren!

Related:  Joey's Corner: Piebalds in Nature

The Dachshund Tumbles To The 9th Most Popular Dog In The United States Of America

It's All About Me

We've been waiting patiently for the American Kennel Club to release its registration statistics for 2011, as 2010's stats came out at the end of January last year.  Well, the results were finally released today, and we find that the lovable Dachshund has slipped from the 8th to the 9th most popular dog in the United States of America.  Via the AKC:

Look out Lab, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) has announced that the Beagle has overtaken the beloved Yorkshire Terrier to become the third most popular dog breed in the U.S.  The Golden Retriever also made a strong push into the top ranks – advancing from the fifth to the fourth most popular dog breed – and the Rottweiler made news by unseating the Shih Tzu – which had been in the top 10 since 2000. But fans of the Labrador Retriever need not fear: the beloved Lab remains the champ – a spot it has now held for 21 consecutive years – thanks to its well-earned reputation for playfulness and loyalty and its use as a police and search-and-rescue dog.

"While the Labrador Retriever has proven once again to be a family favorite, this year clearly belongs to the Beagle," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Beagle's merry personality combined with his love of outdoor activities make him such a wonderful family pet that I wouldn't be surprised to see this spunky breed sniff his way to the top of the list next year."

If we spend about an hour graphing out AKC's Dachshund registration statistics over the last twelve years, this is what that graph would look like.  Of course, these are registration statistics, and heaven only knows how many Dachshunds aren't even registered with the AKC each year. The Dachshund seems to have lost popularity in many major cities across America as well, most notably New York, where we were in the top 5 for many years, but have fallen out of the top ten altogether for 2011.
Falling in popularity isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more popular a dog, the greater likelihood that their numbers will increase in Rescue.  And we are still in the top 10 after all.
Read all the stats at The American Kennel Club.

Dachshund Takes Hounds At Westminster 2012 But Pekingese Grabs BIS

Dachshund Perfection:  Cinders

Maybe we need to go on vacation this time of year a little more often if superstition will give us Dachshunds a winner of the hounds and a chance at Best In Show while we're away.  It was like a wonderful dream to hear that Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW - aka 'Cinders' - took the hounds at this year's Westminster.  Cinders is the top-ranked wirehaired Dachshund in the United States after all. 
It was a nightmare of a dream to hear that Cinders lost Best in Show to a Pekingese though - really - a Pekingese?  Your 'Long and Short of it All' host 'Rowdy' took one look at the fluffy guy 'Malachy' and wondered if he had a squeaker inside and if he needed to be "de-squeaked."  Was that really even a dog? 
Regardless, we can still celebrate Cinders' big win.  The Corpus Christi Caller had the scoop:

Shirley Ray, one of the owners of Grand Champion Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW “Cinders,” said judges told her Cinders is the first female wire-haired dachshund to win the hound group at Westminster. Maria and James Sakoda also are listed as owners.
Ray said she named Cinders “Playing with Fire” because she almost died at 8 days old when her mother got milk fever. Ray had to bottle-feed Cinders and the other puppies. Still, that hasn’t affected the champion’s spirits.
“She’s also known as the dachshund that never stops wagging her tail,” Ray said.
Ray has been showing dachshunds for 18 years, but she’s never had a dog win the hound category. In 2003, she came close when her dog was ranked in third place.

We're sure that you saw the vids from the big event, but just in case:

Dachshund Longhaired

Dachshund Smooth

Dachshund Wirehaired

Best of Hound Group

(Thanks to our pal 'Oscar' from Portugal for the links!)

Dachshunds To Watch Out For: His Name Is Cooper

Breeder-judge Diane McCormick presents Cooper Award of Merit and Select at DCA Host Show 2011

Grand Champion Lockshire Detour to Sanlyn, aka 'Cooper,' has been invited to the 2012 Westminster Dog Show which will air live next Monday and Tuesday - check you local listings.   We'll be rooting for this handsome dynamo - all 27 pounds of him.  Excerpt from the Enumclaw Courier Herald out of Oregon:

Cooper enjoys the limelight, so when he and Kathy Lockyer step onto the green carpet at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Monday in Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City, the 4-year-old wirehair standard dachshund should be a hit.

“He is just a wonderful ambassador for the breed,” Lockyer said of her mustached, long-bodied dynamo. “He likes people and people like him. I like to see the smiles when they see his face.”

Cooper will compete with 21 other wirehair standard dachshund entries, one of the largest groups at the prestigious show and part of the hound category.

"To go to Westminster; to be seen at Westminster; to get invited to Westminster is a big deal because you don’t get invited very often,” said Lockyer, who pointed out the top in the breeds are invited and then there’s a drawing.

“Stepping out on the green – it’s just a privilege to be there,” she said.

Photo via Lockshire Dachshunds

Dachshunds To Watch Out For: Her Name Is Charlie

Keep an eye out for this beautiful Grand Champion who hails from Woodland Hills, California, as she competes in the 2012 Westminster Dog Show in a few weeks.  We'll be rooting for you Charlie!   Via the Los Angeles Daily News.

Hoganschiest, The Invisible Dachshund

Reported to be the hit of noontime activities at September's Golden Gate Dachshund club specialty was Hoganschiest, the invisible Dachshund.  Bill Nix (left) did judging honors, including thorough examination on table (Hoganschiest had two!) and observation of gait.  Mel Cutler brought Hoganschiest back from Germany and also handled during lunchbreak of regular class judging.  Most exhibitors ate at ringside in order not to miss this hilarious performance.  Photo by Bill Francis.

via the American Dachshund magazine, November, 1972.

Is there a Dachshund there, or are we just blinded by Mr. Nix's choice of blazers?  

Stella, the GRAND Champion

Excuse us while we bask in her beauty - it's 'Stella,' the first dual champion longhaired Dachshund female to attain the grand champion title in the United States. Apparently, according to the Post Crescent, to honor those dogs that are super examples of their breed, the AKC started the grand championship program in 2010; previously the highest award was champion. Stella's human, Anne Schmidt, who operates a small hobby kennel at her home in the Town of Center, Wisconsin says:  “I’m very lucky. It took me 30 years to get there, but I got there."

Congrats all around!

Let's hear it for Boone!

Wow Boone, look at the size of those ribbons!

We couldn't be happier to report that Helen Paradise, who has submitted many stories over the years here, has her first AKC Champion of Record in one HANDSOME red smooth named 'Boone.'  Way to go Boone and Helen!  She writes:

Hi Joey and Maggie

Love your blog, read it everyday. I wanted to bring some exciting news to you and your readers. On Saturday June 11th, my 16 month old red smooth male, Boone, officially became my first AKC champion of record. He won a 5 point major and was awarded Winners Dog and Best of Opposite Sex at the famous Greenwich Kennel Club (GKC) dog show in Norwalk, CT. From the GKC website: ‘The GKC is one of the oldest all-breed dog clubs in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Its membership is comprised of area dog enthusiasts with interest in conformation, obedience and performance events. GKC held its first annual all-breed dog show in 1930. Today, this well-established outdoor dog show is one of the largest held in the New England area.’

Boone’s official title is now Ch Tecklewood Huntin’ For Fun Ms. He has brought nothing but joy to me this past year and is now living with an awesome family in Queens, NYC along with another male black and tan dachshund, Brownie.

Thank you and all my best.

Boone in his new home, just chillin' after his recent victory

Wirehairs in History: A Presidential Presentation

It's Wirehair Wednesday, and boy have we got a special treat today.  It's not too common for a Dachshund to take Best in Show, and it's even less common for a President of the United States to present the trophy.  But it happened 35 years ago, when President Gerald R. Ford presented the BIS trophy to Ch Spartan's Sloe Gin Fizz MW.  Via the American Dachshund magazine, May, 1976:

A historical moment for the Dachshund fancy.  At Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club's 52nd All-breed Dog Show, May 2, 1976 out of a total entry of 1533 dogs in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
President Gerald Ford presented the Best in Show Trophy to Ch Spartan's Sloe Gin Fizz MW, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund.  Shown by Jerry Rigden for Christy Ann Gordon-Creed, Oldland Kennels in Camden, South Carolina.
Left to right - Judge Edward W. Bracy; President Gerald Ford, Handler Jerry Rigden and Ch Spartan's Sloe Gin Fizz MW; Mr. George Bruning, President of Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club; Mr. C.J. Boudreaux, Show Chairman; and Mr. Leland W. Nitzsche.

Related:  Dachshunds in the White House

Scenes From IKC 2011

Congratulations to the International Kennel Club of Chicago, who held their 150th show last weekend at Chicago's McCormick Place Complex.  Over 10,000 dogs were in attendance over several days.  Always a great time.  Here are some Dachshund-centric (Dachcentric?) photos by Joey and Maggie.

Friday Dachshund Fun: THE CHAMPION As Only Three Judges Saw Her

(click image to enlarge)

Rounding things up this Westminster week, enjoy some dog show humor as illustrated by Sheila Dolan for The Dachshund Club News (England) some time in the late 1950's or early 1960's.

Have a great Friday!

Westminster 2011: One, Two, Three.....You're Out!

As nearly expected, the Dachshund failed to place in the Hound group at the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last night in New York City.  Smooths:  You're Outta Here!  Longhairs:  See Ya Later!  Wirehairs:  You made the initial cut, but better luck next year!  Regardless, night one of the event was exciting to watch, and congratulations to all the stunning Dachshunds who strutted their stuff in the prestigious show.  Catch Best in Show tonight 8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network after the Sporting, Working, and Terrier groups. 
Enjoy the 2011 Best of Breed videos for the Smooth, Longhair, and Wirehair Dachshund - such Champions!


Relive the Dachshund (Smooth) breed judging at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.


Relive the Dachshund (Longhaired) breed judging at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.


Relive the Dachshund (Wirehaired) breed judging at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Westminster Starts Today: Disappointing Dachshund Lovers For 135 Years

One Hundred Thirty Five Years on, not a single Dachshund Best in Show.  Oh, Westminster, so much to answer for.  Will this be our year?  Don't hold your breath.  According to NBC Sports, a terrier is expected to take the crown this year, as they have done 46 times:  According to Johnny Avello, the famous Las Vegas wizard of odds who has correctly predicted the winning breed for the past five years, a Smooth Fox Terrier is likely to take the top title in dogdom.
However, this year, there will be a further battle within that breed, as Smooth Fox Terrier contender Dodger will go leash-to-leash against a fellow Smooth Fox Terrier named Adam to take the breed title before the battle to win the terrier group even begins.
Avello has a Smooth Fox Terrier ranked at 6-1 to win, a Pekingese named Malachy listed at 7-1 and a Boxer named Scarlett ranked 8-1.

Sigh.  But we're still rooting Dachshund!  We haven't even taken the Hound group since 1998 - and there's always hope.  Keep up with all things Westminster at the official site. 

Catch the Hounds live tonight:

NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 14
Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 15
Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

Dachshunds To Watch Out For: It's Raylene!

Katherine Dettmer nuzzles up Monday to her 6-year-old Dachshund 'Raylene' in her back yard in Gilroy, California.  Raylene, whose show name is Champion Wagswells Ray of Cambria, will compete in the upcoming Golden Gate Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco this weekend.  Go get 'em Raylene!  Read all about the Dettmer family, who have several Dachshunds and a 140-pound bullmastiff(!) at the Gilroy Dispatch.

The Dachshund Holds Firm as 8th Most Popular Dog in United States of America

Yes, Me!

The American Kennel Club has released its registration statistics for 2010, and the lovable Dachshund retains its spot as the 8th most popular dog in America, same as 2009.  The Dachshund was the 4th most popular dog in 2000, 6th in 2006, and 7th in 2007 and 2008.  Of course, these are registration statistics, and heaven only knows how many Dachshunds aren't registered with the AKC each year.  The Dachshund seems to have lost popularity in many major cities across America, most notably New York, where we were in the top 5 for the past 6 years, but fell to 7th in 2010.  Read all the stats at The American Kennel Club.

Related:  Dachshund Domination Continues: Dachshund Makes UK Top 20 For First Time

Dachshund Domination Continues: Dachshund Makes UK Top 20 For First Time

Who, Me?

The UK's Kennel Club trumped the US' AKC by releasing their 2010 registration statistics early this year (we are expecting AKC's any day now) with interesting results: a huge increase in the number of registrations for what they term Handbag Dogs - or dogs carried in bags as fashion accessories.  While we would never consider ourselves a fashion accessory - Dachshunds never go out of style - the Pug, Chihuahua, and Dachshund made huge strides in registration numbers. 

For the first time ever, the Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund made it into the top 20 with 2,802 registrations, 12 percent up on 2009 and 72 percent up on 2005.  It's also interesting to note that UK's Kennel Club counts the Dachshund as 6 different breeds - smooth, mini smooth, longhair, mini longhair, wirehair, mini wirehair - and the AKC doesn't do this in their statistics.  In fact, if you add up all the Dachshund registration numbers, the Dachshund as a whole rises to number 12 in popularity in the UK, with 5,483 total registrations. 

Of course, we don't feel that this is the best news for the Dachshund breed as a whole:  popularity leads to irresponsible breeders and owners.  But we're so stinking cute, how can we not be popular?

See The Kennel Club's stats at their official site.

Dachshunds To Watch Out For: Tug, the No.1 Smooth Dachshund in the United States

Swoon!  Did someone say handsome?  This is 'Tractor Tug,' or just 'Tug' for short.  He was born and bred in Washington Island, Wisconsin, and is the No. 1 all-breed smooth Dachshund in the US.  He will be heading to the next Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February.  We're rootin' for ya Tug, it's time for a Dachshund Best in Show!  Read all about this big guy at the Green Bay Press Gazette.