The 5 Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2022

 

Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) releases their ranking of the most popular dog breeds for the year based on AKC registration statistics. While most of these canines continue to make the list year after year, the list does shift over time based on current trends and this year has a new top dog!

 

2022 was another year of growth as pet ownership in the US continues to increase. In fact, the current rate of 70% of households that own a pet is significantly higher than a few decades ago in 1988 where only 56% of households owned a pet. With 69 million households owning a dog and 30% of Americans adopting at least one pet during the pandemic, let’s take a look at the dog breeds that are topping the list.

 

Five: Poodle

 

The aristocratic Poodle rounds out the top five most popular dog breeds and has continued to be a favorite on this list for years. Whether Standard, Miniature, or Toy, and either black, white, or apricot, the Poodle stands proudly among dogdom's true aristocrats. These beautiful dogs are the national dog of France and have been increasingly popular in the US due to their temperament, great looks, and companionship.

 

Four: German Shepherd

 

Known for their loyal, courageous, and steady demeanors, it’s no wonder the German Shepherd ranked high again this year on the list of most popular dog breeds in the US. Ranking at number four, German Shepherds are not only gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but they are also known as the best breed for law enforcement as their demeanor shows that they are willing to put their lives on the line in defense of loved ones.

 

Three: Golden Retriever

 

One of the most popular pups in the US is the lovable Golden Retriever. Not only do these adorable and friendly dogs make for amazing family pets, but they are also known for their intelligence which makes them highly capable working dogs. Golden Retrievers excel at retrieving game for hunters, tracking, sniffing out contraband for law enforcement, and are amazing therapy and service dogs.

 

Two: Labrador Retriever

 

The Labrador Retriever was the top dog in the US for decades until this year’s announcement of the Frenchie ranking number one. While the Lab slid down in popularity, it was only slightly as this breed is still high on the list and this year’s second most popular dog. One of the reasons why the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs is due to their personality. Labs are famously friendly and are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, socializing well with neighbor dogs and humans alike.

 

One: French Bulldog

 

Also known as the “Frenchie” the French Bulldog has been climbing the ranks over the past decade and ranked second last year. This year, for the first time ever, the French Bulldog tops the list and is the number one most popular dog breed in the US! In 2012 the Frenchie was ranked at number 14 and since then registrations have increased by over 1,000%. This playful pup made history when it broke the Labrador Retrievers top-dog status that was held for over three decades.

 

Whether you are looking to adopt one of these top dogs to your family or another breed entirely, it’s important that you have a veterinarian picked out and ready to go so your pup is taken care of from day one. The AVMA suggests that you consider a few key factors like the office hours, payment options, and referrals before choosing a veterinarian best suited for you and your family. If you’re looking to schedule an appointment with us at the Bregman Veterinary Group, click here to get started!

3 Reasons to Have a Primary Veterinarian

 

Every pet owner knows it’s important to take your pet to a veterinarian, especially when you first bring them home and every year for annual checkups. While most people select one veterinarian and keep them throughout the life of their pet, not everyone knows just how important it is to have a primary veterinarian. From providing your pet with consistent care to ensuring their veterinarian is up to date on their medical records and history, there are many important reasons why you should select a veterinarian you trust and stick with them.

Comfort is key for your pet

Going to the veterinarian can be a stressful time for your pet, especially if they have been sick in the past or had to have multiple visits due to an illness or accident. If you select a primary veterinarian that your pet can get used to and comfortable with, you are setting yourself (and your best friend) up for success with each visit. Comfort can be hard to come by in stressful situations, but familiarity can do wonders for alleviating the natural stress that comes with visiting a doctor.

Establishing a relationship early-on can help for later illnesses

By selecting a primary veterinarian from the time that you bring your pet home, you are giving yourself and your best friend time to build a trusting relationship from the get-go. Since early visits to the vet typically involve routine checkups and shots, these can be less stressful appointments and help establish the familiarity that can be critical later on down the road. If your pet becomes sick or is involved in an accident and needs the care of a veterinarian, having a primary provider can be a game changer in the comfort level for everyone involved since getting to know one another is not a focus of any of those visits.

Gain quick access to appointments and help when you need it

If your pet is already an established patient with a certain veterinarian, it is much easier to get quick access to that vet’s schedule last-minute if you need it. If you need help from a specialist or quick access to advice, working with a primary veterinarian and establishing a relationship with the office can also help you gain peace of mind that you will have swift help when you need it.

How to pick the right veterinarian

According to the AVMA, today’s pets are living longer, healthier lives thanks to the availability of high-quality veterinary care, preventative care, and pet owners’ careful monitoring of their animals for early signs of illness. When choosing a veterinarian for your pet and your family, you should use the same care and criteria that you would when selecting a physician or dentist for yourself. In addition to location, office hours, and payment options, you will want to select a veterinarian that has a great reputation and that you feel comfortable with as a long-term relationship is the best goal for all.

Once you have established a relationship with your primary veterinarian, you (and your pet) will feel much more at ease at appointments over time. It’s important to remember that a great veterinarian cares as much about you as an owner as they do about your pet, so this relationship is just as important for them to maintain over time as it is for you. When your veterinarian knows your pet’s medical history and temperament, they can swiftly jump into action if/when they need to.


If you or someone you know is looking to schedule an appointment with the Bregman Veterinary Group for your new pet or are moving into the area and are looking for a new veterinarian, click here to get started!

4 Ways to Get Active This Summer with Your Dog

 

In addition to making sure your dog has a safe / comfortable home, is well fed, and has regularly scheduled veterinarian appointments, it’s so important to prioritize exercise. With warm weather settling in and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get in some great exercise with your pup. In addition to making sure you get more walks in, here are some of the top ways to get active with your dog this summer.

Add a daily walk to your schedule

With longer days of sunshine in the summer months, there are plenty of opportunities for you to find time for a daily walk. Whether you are an early bird and like to be active before you start your day or want to find a way to unwind after work, adding this into your routine is not only good for you, but also amazing for your four-legged companion. Aim for at least a 15-minute walk (or more if you can swing it) and enjoy the sunshine as you spend some quality time with your furry best friend.

Plan some hikes on the weekend

Whether you live in the mountains or near the beach, chances are there are plenty of places nearby that you can go to get in a great hike. Research the best ones and make a summer bucket list for a great way to set goals and plan some hikes with your pup. Make sure the length and difficulty of the hike is appropriate for your dog and don’t forget to pack water for you both!

Set up puppy play dates with your friends

If you have friends with other dogs nearby, try and set up a puppy play date outside at a local park, in one of your backyards, or even at a dog park you love. It gives both of you a great opportunity to socialize and an opportunity to spend time outside for more than just you and your pup. If you choose a dog park, make sure you follow all rules and regulations and keep an eye on your pup the whole time to make the experience a positive and safe one for all.

Prioritize safety

While all of these activities can be great for prioritizing exercise for you and your dog, you’ll want to make sure that you are keeping safety top of mind when heading outside. The AVMA suggests that you always make sure your pup has access to fresh water and shade when outside. You should also ask your veterinarian how to recognize signs of heat stress and prioritize cooler hours of the day for outdoor exercise, especially if your pup has a lot of fur.

If you have questions regarding safe activities to enjoy outside with your pet or simply need to schedule your next appointment with the Bregman Veterinary Group, all you have to do is click here to get started!

How To Prepare for Your Pet’s Surgery

 

Surgery can be extremely scary and stressful, even for the most prepared of patients. While there are many ways to help you and your loved ones prepare for a surgery, not everyone knows there are some great tactics to also help your pet prepare for (and recover from) a surgery. Ignorance may be bliss and knowing that your pet doesn’t have the anxiety that us humans do going into it can help give you peace of mind, but once they arrive the fear could kick in. Keep reading to learn some of the best tips and tricks to help prepare you and your pet for their surgery.

The week and days leading up to the surgery

Prior to any surgery, your veterinarian will send you home with instructions on how to best prepare in the week / days leading up to the surgery. The week before the event, you should review these instructions again carefully to ensure you’re ready for all the necessary steps. Sometimes these instructions include extra tests that need to happen prior to your pet going under general anesthesia and sometimes they can be as simple as when and what to eat in the hours beforehand.


Make sure to ask your veterinarian about what to do the night before your pet’s surgery so you can prep them accordingly. Things to ask about specifically include whether they should take any medication, if there are any changes to exercise you should implement, or if there are any changes in eating or drinking (amount, type, or even the time to cut off altogether). Make sure that you are following these instructions carefully, so you set your pet up for success on surgery day.

Prep your home for post-op

Not only is it important to prep your pet for the surgery, but you will also want to use this time to prepare your home for the days following the procedure. If you have multiple pets or rowdy children, you’ll want to ensure the space is calm and separate from any distractions and disruptions that could negatively impact their healing process. If you have a lot of stairs in your home, it may be a good idea to use a baby gate to discourage your pet from traveling up and down, or to pick a room with a door that closes so you can monitor them carefully. Finally, you’ll want to make sure all bedding that they will use is clean and washed to help lower the risk of any infections.

When in doubt, consult your veterinarian

While the instructions your veterinarian sends with you prior to the surgery will likely have all the information you need, it can still be a nerve-wracking time and it’s important that you are well-equipped to help your furry friend prepare and recover for this stressful event. Ask your veterinarian any questions you have about the days leading up and the days following the surgery and you’ll feel much more confident that you are providing the best care possible.


If you have any questions or are ready to schedule an appointment with the Bregman Veterinary Group, click here to get started. Whether you need to spay or neuter your pet, are looking for a veterinarian for your new pet or simply need to change practices, we are here to help!

How Long Can You Safely Leave a Cat Alone?

 

It’s no secret that cats are independent creatures who love their alone time. While giving your feline best friend the space they need to enjoy peace and quiet can be a great practice at home, it’s important to know the difference between what amount of time alone is healthy and when it becomes too much. With such busy lives it can become easy to get into a day-to-day routine that doesn’t allot much time to socialize with our cats. Keep reading to learn what a good limit is and how that limit can fluctuate from cat to cat so you can make an informed and healthy decision for you and your furry pet.

The exact timing depends on age and circumstances

While most felines are comfortable being left alone for long stretches of time (like 8 hours while you are at work) the maximum amount of time that your adult cat might be able to be alone is up to 24 hours. Whenever you have frequent periods of time where you are not home, keep in mind that this can be disruptive to a cat, and they can become anxious and troubled easily and it’s definitely important that you don’t leave them alone for days on end.

Even though adult cats are much more self-sufficient during the day, you should err on the side of caution with kittens who shouldn’t be left alone for more than a couple of hours at a time. Remember that kittens need much more care and contact, especially given that they are adjusting to a new environment.

How to keep your cat comfortable while alone

It’s critical that you have fresh water available and maintain a feeding schedule even if you can’t be physically present. This may mean having a neighbor or friend come in at a certain time to fill their bowls. Another way to make sure they are comfortable in your absence is to leave them with a cozy spot to cuddle up and a clean litter box. With space to move around the house and zones for food, water, and sleep that they are familiar with, they will be much better off fending for themselves while you are out.

How to approach socializing with kittens

While these tips and tricks are great for adult cats, creating a socializing plan for new kittens from early on takes a bit more planning. In fact, the AVMA recommends that all new kitten owners should spend the time planning ahead to help their new pet develop a calm and confident temperament that will help them enjoy life to the fullest. This socialization plan should include important things including a timeline and strategy for exposing your new pet to other animals, a plan for rewarding engagement and discouraging naughty behaviors, and for positive and diverse experiences so they can be more confident each time.


Once you follow these tips and take your time to gradually earn your cat's trust and have established a good routine for alone time and socializing, you’ll be much more confident that you’re making healthy decisions for your four-legged best friend. If you have any questions or are ready to schedule an appointment with the Bregman Veterinary Group, click here to get started!

Top 3 Training Tips When Adopting Older Dogs

There are thousands of blogs, articles, and books related to training your new puppy, and many people believe it is arguably much easier to train a brand-new pup over an older one. The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is widely believed and many dog owners are anxious about the process of training older dogs but adopting an older dog and giving them a safe and loving home is also one of the most rewarding things you can do.

 

While it may take more patience and trial and error than with a puppy, there are some great training tips and tricks to follow when adopting older dogs that will make the process much more seamless for both you and your new best friend.

 

Set up a training schedule

 

If you establish a training schedule early on when bringing your dog home, you are signaling that there is a predictable routine that can be counted on and your canine friend will adapt much more quickly. Schedule things as best as you can based on your calendar including meals, potty breaks, and bedtime. If you can, try and also plan exercise times and training sessions at roughly the same time each day so these concepts can click faster for your dog.

 

Use positive reinforcement

 

Pups feed off our energies, both good and bad, and if you are encouraging and excited each time that they respond to commands or show signs of understanding and listening, they will feel that positive energy. Training treats that are small are also great tools to help positively reinforce great behaviors and habits. Reward and praise are key for keeping it fun and help you both make progress. 

 

Rather than scolding and yelling when your pup has an accident inside, try to give lots of praise right after they go to the bathroom outside. The goal is to have your new dog connect the praise to the action, so they establish positive habits.

 

Approach new skills as you would a puppy

 

Older dogs don’t just need to be taught when and where to use the bathroom and where to eat, they are also great students for new skills just like puppies but may need a little more practice and patience. A great trick like “shake” is a good place to start, and you should follow the same steps as you would a puppy including going through the motions of sitting, showing them the treat in your hand, closing your fist, and having them paw at the treat, essentially giving you a handshake!

 

Consult your veterinarian

 

It’s important to note that even if you try all these tips and tricks, the process may be slow based on your pup’s old habits and experiences. Patience is key when it comes to training older dogs and your veterinarian is a great resource to help you navigate this new process. Practice often and reward good behavior for the best chances of establishing good behaviors quickly and remember, establishing a routine at home is beneficial for both you and your new pet. 

 

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with the Bregman Veterinary Group, for your new pup or are seeking advice on how to best train your older dog that is already a patient, click here to get started!

What Factors to Consider When Buying a Pet for Your Kids

 

A new pet is one of the most popular gifts for young children every year around the holidays, and never fails to bring a smile to their faces. While tiny animals are adorable and are great additions to the family, it’s important to select an animal that fits with your lifestyle and is a great fit for young children. While it might not be in your best interest to get a pony or even a brand-new puppy with a lot of energy, there are plenty of animals that make great pets, for kids of all ages!

The AVMA said it best: when you choose a pet, you accept responsibility for the health and welfare of another living thing. You’re making a promise to care for your pet for his/her entire life. You also become responsible for your pet’s impact on your family, friends, and community. Keep reading to learn a few tips and tricks so you can choose the best pet for your family.

Consider the costs associated

It’s so important that you consider your lifestyle, availability, and the time commitment necessary, so this is a successful transition for both you and your new pet. First, consider the costs of taking care of this new pet. From food, toys, and housing to veterinary bills and annual care, you’ll want to factor all of these expenses into your budget to ensure you can take on this new responsibility.

Take note of the time you have available

Another important thing to analyze is the amount of time you have available in order to care for this new animal. If you work long hours or are often out of the house / travel, you will not want to purchase an animal that needs frequent walks and attention. Exercise, play, and establishing routines are all very important, especially to young pets, and you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to devote to helping your pet adjust to their new environment.

Think about the life span

Kids can get very attached to their pets, so you will need to consider your child’s emotional attachment when choosing pets for kids. Research the life span of the pet you’re considering adding to the family and think through how this will affect your kids (from young children to older teens). Keep in mind that if you have older kids, once they leave for college or work, you may have to become the sole provider for your family pet.

Consider your child’s age

There are so many popular pets beyond just dogs and cats that you may want to consider adding to the family. Pet MD has a great list of best pets for kids broken out by age with parakeets and crested geckos recommended for children ages 4-7 and rabbits, cats, dogs, and bearded dragons recommended for kids aged 12-15.

Still not sure? Consult your veterinarian

If you are still unsure if the pet you are considering is right for your family, the best advice we can give is to consult your veterinarian. Our team at the Bregman Veterinary Group is happy to help you provide the best care for your pet to ensure a healthy life and this can include giving you a better understanding of a potential pet’s needs and how they may or may not be compatible with your family’s lifestyle. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, click here to get started!