Americans may love Labrador retrievers but New Yorkers prefer bulldogs and French bulldogs.
And the city’s favorite hounds vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, the American Kennel Club found.
French bulldogs, the new celebrity faves, are the most popular breed on the Upper West Side, Financial District, Williamsburg and Washington Heights.
But German shepherds are tops in Astoria, beagles in Chelsea, pugs in Park Slope, golden retrievers in Murray Hill, poodles in Riverdale, Havanese on the Upper East Side, bulldogs in the East Village — and Portuguese water dogs in Tribeca.
The kennel club released its latest national and local rankings Friday and found that Labrador retrievers were the country’s most popular breed for the 23rd year in a row.
“They’re such a versatile breed,” said kennel club spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “They do so many things so well and they come in three colors. They’re America’s dog.”
But not New York’s.
Labs were dethroned as the city’s favorite breed and fell to No. 3, behind bulldogs and French bulldogs, but ahead of German shepherds and golden retrievers.
Peterson said city dwellers like English bulldogs and French bulldogs because “they require minimal grooming and exercise.”
“Also, people are seeing celebrities like Martha Stewart and Mario Lopez with their Frenchies. There’s one on ‘Modern Family.’ This could all add to their popularity,” she said.
Labrador owner and breeder Michael Weist of upstate Warren said, “People have less room in the city but Labs are great because they are so adaptable.”
Pete Festa, president of the Long Island Bulldog Club, said there were solid reasons why New Yorkers would like bulldogs.
“They’re great apartment dwellers. They are low activity, non-barking and very low-key,” said Festa, a breeder for 17 years.
But Cindy Miller, a German shepherd breeder from Sterling, Mass., made her pitch to New Yorkers.
“German shepherds are great for city life because they adapt quickly to any environment,” she said. “They’re also great for the city because anyone can feel safe walking down the street with a German shepherd. It’s just their presence. They don;t have to take it any further.”