Despite the cold weather, dog owners and their pets continued to visit the Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area in San Francisco. However, a recent analysis of dog licensing data has sparked debate among owners about the accuracy of breed classifications.

Disputing the Data

The San Francisco Chronicle’s ‘dog data week’ reported that the western part of the city is supposed to be ‘Labrador country,’ while Chihuahuas dominate the eastern side. However, owners at the Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area disputed this claim, saying that many dogs are not purebred and that shelters often mislabel them.

According to the data, Chihuahuas are the most popular breed in San Francisco, but many owners believe that this is due to the fact that many dogs are not registered or are mislabeled. ‘I don’t see too many labs out here,’ said Mary Liljedahl, a frequent visitor to the dog park. ‘Most of the dogs I encounter here are rescues, and few are purebred.’

Ted Lacey, another dog owner, agreed, saying that while Labradors may be popular in theory, many dogs in the park are likely not purebred. ‘Labradors are kind of mellow. They just hang out — they’re like these California surfer dudes,’ he said.

A More Nuanced Story

A more detailed analysis of dog licensing data from 2015 to 2025 revealed a more complex picture. While Chihuahuas are indeed the most popular breed overall, some zip codes have a nearly even split between Labradors and Chihuahuas. In areas like Glen Park and Western Addition, the difference between the two breeds is relatively small.

However, as one moves further east, Chihuahuas become increasingly dominant. In some neighborhoods, Labradors do not even place second in popularity. Despite this, many owners remain skeptical of the data, citing the fact that many dogs are not registered or are mislabeled.

Natalie Koral, co-owner of Dan Perata Training and Boarding, attributed the popularity of Chihuahuas to their ‘lion-hearted’ nature. However, she also noted that many owners are unaware of the needs and temperaments of these dogs, leading to abandonment and overrepresentation in local shelters.

Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.