Isle folks now prefer pint-size pooches

Condo life drives trend toward tiny breeds

Honolulu is going to the cat-size dogs.

The Pomeranian is now the second-most popular purebred dog in Honolulu, up from ninth a year ago, according to 2006 American Kennel Club registration figures.

TOP DOGS HONOLULU 1. Labrador retriever 2. Pomeranian 3. Maltese 4. Golden retriever 5. Chihuahua 6. German shepherd 7. (tie) Poodle 7. (tie) Shetland sheepdog 9. Beagle 10. Boxer NATION 1. Labrador retriever 2. Yorkshire terrier 3. German shepherd 4. Golden retriever 5. Beagle 6. Dachshund 7. Boxer 8. Poodle 9. Shih Tzu 10. Miniature schnauzer Source: American Kennel Club

Joining the Pomeranian in Honolulu's top 10 are the Maltese, the Chihuahua and the poodle, all of them just the perfect size for homes and apartments without yards.

The toy dogs -- also known as fashion accessories -- have become popular in Hawaii because more people are moving into multiple-unit dwellings, Hawaiian Kennel Club President Gerri Cadiz said.

"Everyone wants a toy dog that will fit in their apartment or townhouse," she said.

Cadiz said she is also seeing more toy breeds in local dog shows.

But don't despair, big-dog lovers. There's still room for power pooches and their owners to roam on Oahu.

The Labrador retriever continues to be the most popular purebred dog in Honolulu -- and the United States. The ranking is based on registrations from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2006.

The playful golden retriever, the German shepherd and the Shetland sheepdog also are among Honolulu's favorite dogs.

Interestingly enough, the Shih Tzu did not make Honolulu's top 10 list, nor did the miniature schnauzer.

AKC is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 1884, that maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees purebred dog competitions in the United States.