Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds To Steal

Kate Barrington
by Kate Barrington
As if stealing a dog wasn’t bad enough, these criminals actually look for certain breeds! According to the numbers, these are the breeds that are most targeted.

According to the American Kennel Club, dog theft is becoming an increasingly common crime. In 2007 the AKC began tracking this type of theft and, in 2013 alone, there was a 31 percent increase in the frequency of dog napping. Unfortunately, many of the dogs that are stolen do not go to new and loving homes – they’re taken for more nefarious purposes.


What Happens to Stolen Dogs?


One of the most common things that happens to stolen dogs is called “dog flipping”. This is when the thief sells the dog to an unsuspecting buyer for a sum of money. In many cases, the dogs are sold as purebreds or designer breeds, even if they are not, and the buyer has no idea that the dog was stolen from someone else. Stolen dogs are also frequently sold to research laboratories as testing subjects or they may even be sold to puppy mills and used as breeders. Certain breeds of dog may be used as bait or as fighters in dog fighting rings.


Dog napping can affect any breed, but certain breeds of dog are more popular for stealing than others. According to research, these are the top 10 most popular breeds to steal. (Photo credit: Nuvoletta/Flickr)

Yorkshire Terrier: The top most popular breed for stealing is the Yorkshire Terrier. This small-breed dog is an incredibly popular breed which makes it easy to flip and people are willing to pay a lot for them – dog-nappers can fetch prices as high as $2,500 for these dogs. (Photo credit: Artush/Bigstock)

Pomeranian: The small size of this breed makes them easy to steal. The adorable Pomeranian seems to be a highly fashionable breed so they often fetch sums up to $3,000, especially if they’re teacup sized. (Photo credit: Jakkrit Orrasri/Bigstock)

Maltese: This long-coated breed is small and delightful which makes them incredibly popular – they are also a naturally friendly breed, making them an easy target. Unsuspecting buyers are often willing to pay as much as $2,500 for a Maltese. (Photo credit: ots-photo/Bigstock)

Boston Terrier: This breed may not have the same cute-and-fluffy look as the top three breeds, but it is still popular for stealing. Boston Terriers can be re-sold for as much as $2,000. (Photo credit: Kropewnicki/Bigstock)

French Bulldog: This breed is becoming increasingly popular of late and, according to the AKC, it is the third most commonly stolen dog in the U.S. French Bulldogs are small and friendly, not to mention cute as a button. (Photo credit: kavalenkava volha/Bigstock)

Chihuahua: Not only are Chihuahuas one of the smallest dog breeds, but they are also one of the most popular. These tiny dogs are easy to steal, especially in cities. (Photo credit: Grisha Bruev/Bigstock)

Labradoodle: This breed can be larger than the first six breeds on the list but it is no less popular for stealing. The Labradoodle is a “designer” breed resulting from a combination of a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever and can be sold for as much as $2,000. (Photo credit: zstockphotos/Bigstock)

American Pitbull Terrier: The American Pitbull Terrier is a commonly stolen breed, but not for the pet trade. Many of these dogs that are stolen end up being used for illegal purposes like fighting. (Photo credit: imageprojects/Bigstock)

German Shepherd: This large-breed dog may not be as easy to steal as a smaller dog, but the payout can be higher, up to $2,500 or more if it is purebred. German Shepherds are frequently stolen for use as attack dogs or for illegal dog fighting. (Photo credit: Koljambus/Bigstock)

Labrador Retriever: Not only are Labradors one of the most popular breeds in the country for pets, but they are also popular for stealing. These dogs are known for their friendly and trusting personalities, which make them an easy target. (Photo credit: yarndoll/Bigstock)

Kate Barrington
Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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