German Shepherds
Another top-rung doggie, the German Shepherd has come in as Americans’ second favorite dog breed for the past three years. And if you’re looking for loyalty — and some exercise — this breed may be the dog for you. Perhaps more than man’s best friend, the German Shepherd is “one man’s best friend,” a trait that along with its high trainability has earned the breed top spot in the hearts of many a police officer or anyone wanting a guard dog.
Originating in 1899 in Karlsruhe, Germany, the German Shepherd was bred from a mix of herding and farm dogs, according to the AKC. It made its doggie debut in the United States in 1907.