What Are the 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds?

If you are looking for a pup to join your family, you may wonder which breed is the best. A great way to start your search is by learning about the top ten most popular dog breeds.

Dec 12, 2023By Sara Payne
most popular dog breeds

Based on trends, the most popular dog breeds change year to year, but some breeds make the list repeatedly. These loveable and adorable breeds are great choices for families and individuals alike. There’s a reason why the canines on this list are so popular! Read on to learn more about them.

French Bulldog

french bulldog
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The French bulldog is the perfect companion for city life, which is why it climbed to the number one spot on the American Kennel Club (AKC)’s most popular dog breed list for 2022.

French bulldogs are small dogs with adorable, batlike ears. They come in a variety of colors and markings. They resemble a bulldog with a compact, muscular build, wrinkles, and smushed nose.

They have short, smooth coats that are easy to care for. They are friendly, great family pets, easy to train, and bark little. These traits make them the ideal pet for apartment living. Because most Frenchies don’t weigh more than 25 pounds, they’re easy to bring on planes and road trips.

Labrador Retriever

labrador retriever
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Another classic and dependable dog breed is the Labrador retriever. These medium to large dogs are affectionate and energetic, sporting wide skulls, strong tails, and deep chests.

Labrador retrievers come in three colors: yellow, chocolate, and black. They have double coats for water protection that need frequent brushing. Otherwise, a home might constantly deal with piles and piles of fur.

Their enthusiasm and love for the outdoors make them a popular choice for families with active lifestyles. Labrador retrievers are happiest when running alongside their owners and getting the exercise they crave.

Golden Retriever

golden retriever
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Originating in the Scottish Highlands, the golden retriever is a beautiful dog breed with a long, golden coat. Their bodies are slender and muscular. These are one of the most popular dogs in the world because they’re known for being playful, energetic, and extremely affectionate.

Golden retrievers enjoy the outdoors. These dogs need lots of daily exercise and frequent brushing. On the plus side, they’re a relatively quiet dog breed and are fast learners.

German Shepherd

german shepherd dog
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The German shepherd became popular because of their trainability and endurance. During World War I, this breed collaborated with soldiers. When the war ended, they went home to become family dogs.

You often see these traditionally tan-and-brown canines working as guide dogs or on a K-9 police force. German shepherds thrive when they have tasks to complete, making them a familiar face in the world of breed-specific dog sports.

German shepherd dogs are loyal and courageous. They make excellent watchdogs because they are observant and form strong bonds with their owners.

Poodle

toy poodle
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With a long face, floppy ears, and curly coats, the poodle is an adorable dog breed. They come in a variety of coat colors and three sizes: miniature, toy, and regular.

People bred poodles originally in Germany to be hunting dogs. Because of their active nature, this breed is energetic and needs lots of mental stimulation. They love to play and exercise. Plus, they’re great dogs for families with young children.

Their curly coats are hypoallergenic, and they are low shedders. Many ethical breeders breed poodles with other dog types to get this desirable quality. Take Labradoodles, for instance. That loveable hybrid is a cross between the much-loved Labrador retriever and the hypoallergenic poodle. For many households, this is the perfect combo.

Bulldogs

bulldog
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The bulldog has a short snout, short coat, stocky body, and low-hung chest. This brachycephalic dog is courageous, loyal, and calm. Around the 1200s, people used bulldogs to pursue and take down bulls, which is how they got their name.

Nowadays, these pups prefer an air-conditioned apartment and a good nap. Bulldogs are the perfect breed for someone looking for a dog that does well in an apartment and has moderate exercise needs.

Rottweilers

rottweiler
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The Rottweiler has a short, dark coat with rust-colored markings. This companion dog is loyal and loving to its family, and it is a great watchdog. Rottweilers are work dogs that descend from Roman-driving cattle dogs from the 2nd century.

Although they have had a reputation for aggression in the past, with proper training and plenty of work to do, these dogs are beloved family members. In many places, however, because of their sheer size and strength, they are banned dog breeds.

Beagles

beagle
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If you enjoy hunting, a beagle is the perfect companion. Sweet-looking with large brown eyes and long ears, it is easy to see why people love this breed. These scent-hounds have a keen nose that helps them seek out prey. They are energetic and need lots of exercise.

Beagles are excellent family dogs who are very loving and get along with other dogs easily. However, they need consistent stimulation, or they’ll get into mischief.

Dachshunds

dachshund
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Informally known as a wiener dog, the dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog that comes in many coat colors and lengths. Although small, dachshunds have big personalities. They are bold, stubborn, and independent dogs with floppy, adorable ears.

Their long bodies need plenty of exercise, so these little guys can stay healthy and live long lives. They also need a diet of healthy dog food brands to avoid obesity.

German Shorthaired Pointers

german shorthaired pointer
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Finally, the medium-sized German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a noble dog breed. Skilled as a pointer and great hunting companion, these dog breeds love swimming and running. This enthusiastic dog forms deep bonds with its owner, making them ideal companions.

They are playful and get along well with people and other animals alike, making them perfect family dogs.

Sara Payne
By Sara Payne

Sara is a mother of two and a high school English teacher who rediscovered her love of writing during the pandemic. She has 5 rescue cats: Neville and Luna, who are white cats with black and grey spots, and Ginny, Blue, and Fairy, who are calicos. Besides taking care of humans and fur babies, Sara enjoys gardening, crafting, and spending time in nature.