On a recent September afternoon at Waltham Dog Ranch, dogs of all shapes and sizes circled their owners, occasionally stopping for treats and to chase each other across the gravel.
There was Angel, a chocolate Labrador retriever, alongside her owner, Richard “Dick” Fryar. Nearby were Birdie and Gracie, two mixed-breed dogs of different backgrounds. And then there was Chanel, a pomeranian/bichon mix, also known as a “Pomapoo.”
The scene at the dog park on Metropolitan Parkway reflected the variety found in Waltham’s dog population. Waltham’s 2026 dog licensing records contain 1,542 entries, including dogs registered under a variety of breeds.
But which breeds are the most common?
According to records from the Waltham City Clerk’s Office, “mixed breed” is the largest individual category, with 74 dogs. Among specifically identified breeds, Labrador retrievers lead the pack (68), followed closely by golden retrievers (61) and German shepherds (30).
The records are housed within the City Clerk’s Office, which responded to an email request with a spreadsheet of licenses. Examining the entries revealed that counting Waltham’s dogs is not straightforward. Different spellings and descriptions separate similar dogs into multiple categories.
For instance, the city lists 27 dogs as “Goldendoodle” and another 14 as “Golden Doodle,” for a combined 41 dogs that are a cross between golden retrievers and poodles. The American Kennel Club uses “Goldendoodle,” although it does not officially recognize these dogs as a distinct breed.
The records also list 98 dogs as Labrador mixes, including 55 registered as “Labrador Mix” and 43 as “Labrador Retriever Mix.” Although the descriptions refer to the same general category, the city records them separately.
Labradors are known for their outgoing, energetic personalities. According to the AKC, the breed didn’t originate in Labrador, but in Newfoundland, where its ancestors worked alongside fishermen before becoming popular sporting and family dogs.
When it comes to his chocolate lab Angel, Fryar said her energy is consistent with the active temperament associated with Labrador retrievers. His appreciation for her comes from knowing her as an individual dog, however.
“What I love about her? Her spirit,” Fryar said. “She’s very spirited. I wouldn’t want to break her spirit.”
Not every Waltham dog owner knows exactly what breed their dog is, however.
Kate Eissenmenger, a retired doctor, is among them. Unlike purebred dogs, whose ancestry is associated with an established breed standard, mixed-breed dogs can inherit different combinations of physical and behavioral traits. Eissenmenger’s dog Birdie’s ancestry is unknown and not specified in her license, but Birdie’s personality and love of exercise, Eissenmenger said, is something she has come to know through years of companionship.
“She’s a dog that loves to run,” Eissenmenger said.
Like Birdie, Gracie is a mixed-breed dog, but her journey to Massachusetts began much farther away.
Nancy Laquerre, a graduate student at Merrimack College, adopted then 2-year-old Gracie about six years ago through the Sato Project, an organization that rescues dogs from Puerto Rico. There, “sato” is a term commonly used for stray dogs, many of which have mixed ancestry.
While the dogs at Waltham Dog Ranch differ in breed, size and background, they have one thing in common: Their owners have concerns about the space where they gather. Laquerre said she would like to see improvements to the park’s ground surface, equipment and water access.
Joan Catapano, a lifelong Waltham resident who works in private elder care, said she has contacted Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy a few times about conditions at the park. Catapano said she became concerned after Chanel got sick, which she believes was connected to material on the ground.
Despite their concerns, the owners continue bringing their dogs to the park, where breeds that might otherwise have little in common share the same space. Catapano and other regular visitors bring water, treats and supplies for the dogs. She has also helped decorate the park and said the group of regulars has remained close for about four years.
Catapano’s Chanel, for example, is known for moving from lap to lap and taking stock of the other dogs, even those much larger than her, as they arrive. “She’s bossy, if you ask me!” said Catapano.