Ace, a Labrador Retriever, the most popular breed in both New York City and America. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—The most popular dog in the United States and New York City? The Labrador Retriever.

The lab has been the most popular dog in the nation for 22 years, but only this year rose from second to first in New York City, edging out the Yorkshire Terrier.

Overall, bigger dogs are more popular, a move that began in the middle of the ’90s when the Poodle’s 22-year reign ended and the lab’s ascendance began.

Big dogs are “bucking the trend, and they’re sending those pint-sized pooches packing,” said Lisa Peterson, a spokesperson for American Kennel Club, a nonprofit that comes up with the rankings.

Micki Beerman of Brooklyn’s Marine Park, who owns five labs, said the dogs are even-tempered and helped teach elementary school students about obedience when she was a teacher.

“They’re not one person dogs,” she said. “They like everybody around—you never have to be afraid, they’re great with kids.”

Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are more popular in New York City than the rest of America, along with Rottweilers.

American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson (2nd from R) announced the most popular dog breeds in New York City on Jan 30. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Micki Beerman with Ace and Shayna Maydela, which means pretty girl in Yiddish. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

A young Golden Retriever, Gibbs. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Mary  Cummings (L) and Zane Rauschmeier with his Beagle, Shiloh. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

A German Shepherd, Commander, poses for a picture at the American Kennel Club on Jan. 30. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Bulldogs Munch (L) and Dominique. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Members of the media photograph the two Bulldogs, one of the most popular breeds in New York City. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Tsunami, a German Shepherd, poses for a picture. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Tsunami, a German Shepherd, has a break from the paparazzi. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

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