AKC PUTS ON THE DOG FOR ITS TOP 10 LIST

Is the Westminster Kennel Club's dog show your idea "must see TV?"

Do you sit through the working, non-working and toy breeds just to find out which lucky dog will trot home with the trophy?

Then the American Kennel Club has a list for you. Its Top 10 Dogs list includes canine critters large and small, friendly and fierce.

And topping the 1996 list for the sixth year in a row is the Labrador retriever, a breed renowned for its loving and kid-friendly temperament.

Ranking second through 10th on the AKC's "Top Dog" list were the Rottweiler, German shepherd, golden retriever, beagle, standard poodle, dachshund, cocker spaniel, Yorkshire terrier and the Pomeranian.

Dr. Ann Seabaugh, a Cape Girardeau veterinarian, and local breeders warn that anyone interested in getting a dog as a pet needs a lot more than a "Top 10" list to make an informed choice.

Temperament, they agree, is the most important characteristic to consider when deciding which animal to bring home.

"That would be the number one characteristic that I would look at, is are they going to be a good family pet," Seabaugh said.

Seabaugh, whose personal list would place the golden retriever in the top spot, said she was a little surprised to see the Rottweiler, with its reputation for ferocity, on the AKC's list.

Unfortunately, she said, the Rottweiler's reputation probably accounts for a big part of its popularity.

"The sad thing is that that's a breed that's gained popularity and now been abused for that," Seabaugh said. "You have a popular breeder and breeders who are not accountable breed for that popularity. They don't take into account that personality is also a trait that can be passed on."

Breeding two very aggressive dogs will produce an extremely aggressive litter of puppies, she said.

"When we see people come in with 8-week-old puppies that are snapping and snarling, that's not something they've learned," she said. "That's something they've inherited."

Movies play a big part in what's popular, Seabaugh said. When "101 Dalmatians" was released, every one wanted a Dalmatian. When the "Beethoven" movies were popular, every one wanted a St. Bernard.

"Trends in popularity tend to go a lot with what Hollywood's doing," she said.

Cecile Busch, co-owner of Busch's Kennels with her husband, Bill, breeds beagles, No. 5 on the AKC's list.

"They're so agreeable," she said. "They're a nice-sized little dog. They're very tolerant. They're great with kids. And they're great eaters."

Beagles do, however, tend to be a little stubborn, which means they're not always easily trained, and they tend to wander, especially if they come across an interesting scent.

"They're pretty much governed by their noses," Busch said. "If they're on the scent of something, they're gone. They're suddenly stricken deaf. They don't hear you, no matter how much you call them and plead. They don't even know you."

Beagles are scent hounds and make excellent hunting dogs, she said. They are bred to hunt in packs.

"Their tenacity is very important. If you take a dog out to hunt, you want him to be aggressive and tenacious."

When choosing a purebred puppy, it's important to visit the breeder and make sure the dogs are raised in a clean, healthy environment, Busch said.

Buyers also want to get a look at the dam and sire who produced the puppy and check their health records for any problems.

"But temperament is always the primary requirement" in picking a dog, Busch said. "Some dogs just don't take well to children. Children are quick, they're noisy and they're full of surprises. Some dogs don't deal well with that."

Some breeds of dogs are also prone to health problems. Breeds with small noses don't do well in hot climates, and some very small dogs may be more vulnerable to disease.

The AKC, dedicated to the preservation of purebred dogs, bases its top 10 list on the number of puppies registered annually for each breed.

The organization registers more than 1.3 million dogs every year. More than 141 breeds are eligible for AKC registration.

There's certainly nothing wrong with wanting a purebred dog, Seabaugh said, but AKC registration papers don't always mean a dog is going to be a good pet.

Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier because they have a broader base of strengths and immunities bred in, she said.

AKC TOP 10 DOGS

1.) Labrador retriever. Originally from Newfoundland, the Lab used to work alongside fishermen, helping them pull in nets and even catching fish that escaped from the lines. Labs are strong swimmers and their coats effectively repel water. Dr. Ann Seabaugh says Labs make great family pets, "but they tend to be a little hyper."

2.) Rottweiler. These dogs are thought to have originated with the Romans, who used them to help drive invaders' livestock over the Alps. The dog is named for the town of Rottweil, Germany, where it was fully developed. With proper training, they are rugged, dependable and willing workers with very strong guard instincts.

3.) German shepherd. Seabaugh calls them "large dogs that were originally bred for protection," and they can be aggressive. The dog is also courageous and intelligent, traits that make it ideal for specialized training, including assisting the disabled and sniffing out bombs and narcotics. German shepherds are descended from old breeds of herding and farm dogs.

4.) Golden retriever. The Golden was developed in Scotland, a cross between a yellow English retriever and a rugged water spaniel. They're very serious about retrieving, but they love everybody, kids, adults and strangers. "I've never met a Golden I didn't like," Seabaugh said.

5.) Beagle. The hound originated in England is a hunter's favorite for chasing rabbits. He's a gentle, happy companion who loves people and other animals -- especially dogs, since he works in packs. Beagles make great pets, Seabaugh said, "if you don't mind a little noise."

6.) Standard poodle. Prized as a water retriever of birds as far back as the 15th and 16th centuries in Germany, the standard poodle is the national dog of France. They're very intelligent and adapt well to specialized training. Be warned: the standard is a big dog, Seabaugh said.

7.) Dachshund. Known as the "badger dog" in German, the Dachshund was bred for his long, low build so he could easily slide into a badger's den and hunt the animal down. The Dachshund is strong, smart and courageous. Individual dogs may be "a little snappy" on occasion, said Seabaugh, but on the whole they're good pets.

8.) Cocker spaniel. The breed can be traced back to the 14th century, and is renowned for its ability to flush out birds. Cockers love to hunt and they love the water.

9.) Yorkshire terriers. Believe it or not, these tiny little aristocrats were originally bred to kill rats in 19th century English clothing mills. Then they caught on with high society, and it's been crystal dishes and satin bows ever since. Seabaugh warns that breeding animals for small size is actually encouraging a genetic inferiority that leaves the animal vulnerable to other problems. Yorkies who are a little larger will probably be healthier.

10.) Pomeranian. The breed descended from sled dogs of Lapland and Iceland. Their tiny size does not match their bold personality, and Poms make surprisingly fearless watchdogs who respond very well to training.

Finding the right dog for you

Ask yourself some serious questions:

-- Will the breed I've selected fit my lifestyle, home and family?

-- Am I willing to spend the time and the energy to ensure a happy, healthy future for the dog?

-- Do I have the time and energy to train, groom and exercise the dog?

Learn about different breeds of dogs to help decide which best suits you:

-- Check out the materials at your local library.

-- Think about the size of the finished product. That tiny, warm wriggling puppy may grow up to be an Airedale who won't be very happy in your studio apartment.

-- Talk to breeders, dog owners and veterinarians so you'll know what to expect from the dog. Like people, dogs have personalities.

Choose a responsible breeder:

-- The AKC has a breeder referral service (900-407-PUPS) or a free dog buyer's education packet available by calling (919) 233-9767.

-- When you meet the breeder, at least meet the puppy's mother, and try to meet the father too. If the breeder won't allow it, go somewhere else. Make sure the kennels are clean and well-kept.

-- Make sure the puppies are clean, healthy, lively and friendly, and that they've been screened for hereditary diseases.

Don't forget your local animal shelter:

-- Animal shelters offer a variety of purebred and mixed breed dogs who need good homes.