Why Did Certain Breeds Become Popular?

All the reasons for breed popularity that have been mentioned are right on the money, but it's that old human "sheep" trait that let's some breeds snowball. Look at what's happening to the Border Collie! Between the movie 'Babe'(and bit parts in a couple more movies), spots in lots of ads, and the breed's sucess in televised agility trials, now J.Q. Public thinks he "needs" a Border Collie. Then the greedy folks think they can make big bucks by breeding and selling them. I would be rich if I had a dollar for every person that has asked me when my dogs are going to have pups, because they want to buy a pair and start breeding. People that have never owned the breed or lived with one! I do my best to discourage these folks, but half the time they are determined, because they think they can make some money. (I don't have any pups to sell these folks, so don't think that!) Kids say they want one because they saw one on TV and it was great, their parents want one because they've heard that the breed is so smart, and they don't do any research! They buy the first pup that they see, which they then want to breed!  When the newness of the Border Collie wears off, and they are being offered for free in the local paper, and they start gettting a bad rap for being hard to live with and hyper, then the folks go off to the new fad breed. Labradors have always had a following because of their good reputation as family pets, but look at them now! Everybody is selling Lab pups, and a sorry lot most of them are.

I tihnk while media has always played a part (collies were used in lots of early advertising too and were hugely popular, especially in rural areas through the 1930s- as America became more urban (and the depression made lots of people unable to afford the luxury of a pet), they moved on to other breeds), some of it is just inertia. For example, if all your friends have labs, and there are lots of labs available in the paper and the shelter, chances are good that you'll consider a lab when you want a dog- especially if you *haven't* owned another dog or don't have a particular breed preference. I think this was especially true pre-internet, because the internet's made it MUCH easier to connect with owners and breeders of a given breed- especially a less popular one. I also tihnk there's sort of a 'critical mass' reached- once a breed has been super-popular for a certain amount of time (perhaps 20-30 years), the bad breeders outnumber the good by such a big margin that the breed begins sliding back down out of public favor. That some breeds- like labs- stay popular with such a huge percentage of bad breeders is really testament to how HARD it is to screw up their temperament.

As a lab owner and lover I wish they were not so popular.  In our area at least, labs are the number one biters and I have read a couple of articals that expressed concern about BYBs producing dogs with questionable temperments.  I have heard one lab rescue volenteer say that roughly 10% of the dogs they deal with are dog aggressive. 

Breeds become popular for their looks and dispositions.  It stinks, because everyone knows what a West Highland White Terrier is, but when they say Riley is a Westie, I correct them. Then they go, "What's a Cairn Terrier?"  It's right in front of you!!!  Go to [linkhttp://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm]this site[/link] and it will show you the most popular breeds in America.  Keep in mind, though that there are more breeds in the USA than this, but this is counted by registrations.  Also, the info here is from 2004-2005, but I assume that it hasn't changed too  much.

ORIGINAL: fuzzdomestic

I just wondered why such similar breeds had such differences in popularity.  I meant to mention the Labrador Retriever and the Curly Coated Retriever, which are similar in purpose and in general conformation, but often if you live in the states, you'll see hundreds of Labs in your lifetime, but only a handful of Curly Coated Retrievers. 

 
First of all, the two breeds are very different in disposition.  Labs are much more friendly, and Curlies are much more aloof.  It's actually a good thing that certain breeds aren't popular.  You see, breeders try to reach the demand of buyers and they breed the dogs so quickly, that they are unhealthy.  Labs and Goldens these days are unhealthy and have reportedly bitten people.  People should think outside the box, find a nice not-as-well-known breed that actually fits their lifestyle.  Let's make a chart.
 

Since this is a on topic, I would like to know why Miniature Schnauzers are not a popular breed?

ORIGINAL: ms_paws

Since this is a on topic, I would like to know why Miniature Schnauzers are not a popular breed?

I hear.....and dont bite my head off that they are better dogs for a solitary person versus a family. I had one lash out at my girl....oh but he was a full grown one but he was mean. Its most likely though because the media hasnt used one for any advertising yet

There are a lot of dog breeds that I really wonder why they aren't more popular, and several that I kind of wonder why they are. Beagles kind of allude me. I love every houndy inch of them, but they are not easy dogs to deal with for people just want a low-maintenance dog dog, yet they are incredibly popular. They are adorable but so misunderstood by their owners so much of the time! BREW the nationwide beagle rescue has their work totally cut out for them!
 
I don't think coonhounds are a good "for anyone" dog but I am sort of surprised that they've never caught on as a pet for people would put a little extra effort in to any dog they have. Not that I want them to get all popular and ruined as breeds, but I also don't like it when I hear coonhound owners tell stories of hunters asking, "So, is that a coonhound or a pet?" like it can't be both. And I certainly think that coonhounds are easier to handle than beagles!

In certain breeds, the breeders themselves don't breed frequently, and are extremely cautious about placing their pups-which means you just don't see them every day on the street.  A certain amount of breed popularity seems to be fostered by accessibility.  That is not always a good thing, but a dog perceived to be economical to purchase will certainly be chosen more often and that gives rise to the negative backyard breeders who are in the breeding game just to make a quick buck-everyone suffers, unhappy owners, ill bred animals with medical and mental issues, and overloaded shelters.  Lets face it, we have all seen Labs, GSD,
Collies, but many have no exposure to and don't recognize other breeds like a Polish Lowland Sheepdog.  Most people wouldn't even realize that the separate breed existed and so it wouldn't factor in their choices.   And many people choose breeds for sentimental reasons-it was the type that they had as a kid and had a great experience, or maybe a relative or neighbor has a great representative of a breed and you want the same experiences.  And of course, Lassie and Rin Tin Tin did alot-media attention to a given breed usually raises its popularity-although not necessarily people's knowlege about the breed.  There was a real issue about Dalmations after Disney and 101 Dalmations and likewise with St Bernards and the
Beethoven movies.

Oh how interesting! Thanx for the thought
 

ORIGINAL: sheprano
I hear.....and dont bite my head off that they are better dogs for a solitary person versus a family. I had one lash out at my girl....oh but he was a full grown one but he was mean. Its most likely though because the media hasnt used one for any advertising yet

I know alot of people around here that has a Schnauzer or a Lab. I noticed though that Saint Bernards have alot of movies and have several toys in the toy departments but there is hardly ever a Saint being owned around here. I asked the vet and they said they have several.
For the Shar-Pei's my aunt had one and it was fine with other dogs and kids,but would kill a cat in a heartbeat. When he(named Bandit) got old he turned blind and deaf. They had a lab (named Buzz) and it was the biggest lab I have ever seen. Anyways they left the dogs alone (fenced in yard). and came back to find that the lab killed the old shar-pei.