The results are in, and Labrador retrievers are top dog in the tri-town by a large margin.

The towns’ records for registered dogs show that Rochester has 884 canines, Marion has 569, and Mattapoisett has 1,163. Of those barking breeds, 486 are Labrador retrievers.

But for the owners of black and golden Labs, the breed is popular because they’re great dogs.

“You could pretty much spit in any direction and hit a Lab,” admits Karen Covey, a Mattapoisett resident.

But as a lifelong owner of Labradors, when Covey was ready for a puppy, she sought out a Labrador.

“He was hit by a car as a puppy and was in recovery when I met him,” said Covey of her rescue dog.

Naming the yellow Lab puppy Indie, Covey took him to get a check-up, and said, “He’s been pretty perfect ever since.”

A “field lab,” Indie enjoys the hunt. He’s also the “ideal coastal pet,” (he likes long walks on the beach...) That may explain why people in the area love Labs so much. “Most Labs love to swim. Indie loves to go for rides, for walks, dog stuff,” said Covey.

Covey’s neighbors, the Cote family, went to a breeder to pick out their black Lab puppy named Daisy.

“Everyone had an immediate hit with her. She just laid in your arms and looked up at you,” said Bobby Cote.

The whole family agreed Daisy was the pick of the litter. Unlike many Labs, Frith Cote said Daisy isn’t one to chew a shoe. She also loves being close to people.

“She has to be at somebody’s feet at all times,” said Frith. “She’s a very affectionate puppy.”

The breed’s ability to switch between working dog and family friend led the Austin family, of Rochester, to adopt Gunner.

The five-year-old yellow Labrador is just as happy hunting with Jim Austin as he is on the beach or at home, with the kids. Gunner is the family’s second Lab.

“I like the fact they’re great family dogs and great sporting dogs. You get the best of both worlds,” he said.

Austin’s in-laws aren’t exactly “dog-people,” but Gunner is trying to fix that.

“It’s almost like the more we discourage him from being near them, he’ll try even harder to be friendly,” Austin said.

Of course, there are other breeds in town. Golden retrievers are the second most popular breed in Mattapoisett and Marion. They come in sixth in Rochester. Yorkshire terriers, Poodles, and Shih Tzu are also among the most popular breeds in the towns.

There are several recurring names on the list of pets, too. The Cote family just happened to name their Lab Daisy, the third most popular dog name among tri-town pups. Lily and Molly came in first and second, respectively.

But you’re unlikely to find the names of Naida Parker’s Great Danes on the list of most popular pet names. But, Allez, Brie, Cassanova, Charley, Melody, and Witchy Woman are happy ruling the roost.

“It’s their house. They allow me to stay as long as I take care of them,” said Parker, a Rochester selectman and the town clerk.

Parker, who breeds and shows the dogs, compared them to Labradors.

“Labs are high energy, they can go and go and go. Danes on the other hand have a spurt of energy and then they relax.”

In 1974, she received her first Great Dane from her husband. Since then, Parker has bred 10 dogs that have won American Kennel Club championship titles.

The large dogs, up to 160 pounds, do have a warning attached: With Great Danes comes great responsibility.

“It’s a huge responsibility when someone takes a dog as big as a Dane into a home,” said Parker, who recommends training for pets and people.

While Parker and her husband are out numbered at home, humans still outnumber  hounds in the towns (no need to plan for a mutt mutiny just yet.)

In Rochester, there are almost six people for every dog. In Mattapoisett, the number is closer to a five to one ratio, and in Marion there are 8.6 humans to dogs.

In the Rowley household it’s humans four, dogs three. They come in small, medium, and extra-large.

Lexi is a shy, medium-sized mixed breed rescue dog. Otis, the Marion family’s 5-year-old Newfoundland, is “a gentle giant,” said Pattie Rowley, of Marion. The family bought a van just to accommodate their oversized pooch.

For Pattie’s daughter Nicole, her 4-year-old Pomeranian named Kobi is just the right size. “I think he’s the cutest dog ever. He likes to be by my side all of the time, and I like that he’s a lap dog,” Nicole said.