Atlantans love their dogs. In addition to fantastic dog parks, the city's canines are welcome at swimming holes and dozens of restaurants.
Rover, the world's largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers, analyzed dog breed data from more than half a million pet owners nationwide to see which dog breeds “reign supreme” in America in 2019.
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Rover then used the data to determine the top 20 dog breeds nationwide, and the top five breeds in 40 major cities.
Atlanta’s favorite breed is the American pit bull terrier.
"With naturally gentle, loyal dispositions, pit bull terriers can make great family pets," Rover wrote. "This breed responds well to training and are popular obedience and agility competitors.
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Often used as fighting dogs, pit bulls have a bad reputation. Many Atlanta area cities have restrictions on owning one, and Delta Air Lines has banned them from its flights — even as service animals.
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One common misconception about pit bulls, Rover notes, is that pit bulls' jaws lock if they bite. "Their athleticism and strength can lead to a powerful bite, but that's not due to their jaws locking," Rover wrote.
The American pit bull terrier ranked No. 16 nationwide.
Atlanta’s other four top breeds, from No. 2 to No. 5 are: miniature schnauzer, Jack Russell terrier, Yorkshire terrier and Shih Tzu.
Nationally, the most popular breed in Rover’s analysis is the mixed breed.
"Often hardy and always unique, mixed breed dogs continually top lists of the most popular dog types in America," Rover wrote.
After mixed breed, the top dogs nationally are:
2. Labrador retriever
3. Chihuahua
4. Golden retriever
5. German shepherd
6. Yorkshire terrier
7. Shih Tzu
8. Dachsund
9. Boxer
10. Goldendoodle
11. Poodle
12. Beagle
13. Australian shepherd
14. Siberian husky
15. Maltese
16. American pit bull terrier
17. Pug
18. French bulldog
19. Pomeranian
20. Border collie
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