{"id":5369,"date":"2026-04-28T16:49:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s37407.p1377.sites.pressdns.com\/resources\/10-most-popular-dog-breeds\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T16:51:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:51:25","slug":"10-most-popular-dog-breeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/10-most-popular-dog-breeds\/","title":{"rendered":"10 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. \u2014 and what you need to know about them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is your favorite pooch on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of the top 10 most popular dog breeds<\/a> this year? The annual list is lengthy, including 202 breeds total, so there’s a good chance your beloved breed pops up on there somewhere — but where do they fall?!<\/p>

The most popular dog breeds in the U.S. have remained steady for years, with more or less the same four-legged friends consistently landing in the top ten — and for the third year in a row, the French bulldog has taken the number one spot.<\/p>

“French bulldogs are wonderful and adaptable dogs that are great companions,” says Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of P.R. & Communications for the AKC. “They do well with families and children and great for people who want a dog that only requires light walks to be properly exercised. They have a clownish disposition and love nothing more than to be with their owners.”<\/p>

Read on to see who made the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. in 2025, and learn why people are charmed by each of them.<\/p>

1. French bulldog<\/h2>
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Famous standouts:<\/b><\/h3>

A show dog named Ch. Bouquet Nouvelle Ami (a.k.a. Jo-Jo) won Best of Breed at Westminster a whopping eight years in a row in the 1950s.<\/p>

What people love about French bulldogs:<\/b><\/h3>

Their large “bat” ears are their signature feature, but there are a lot of traits that make this breed unique.<\/p>

“French bulldogs are loving companions that will keep you laughing,” says Becky Smith, president of the French Bull Dog Club of America<\/a>. “It has been said that Frenchies are clowns in the cloak of a philosopher. They do well in smaller environments which makes them great house or apartment companions.”<\/p>

That’s why you’ll often see these cuties prancing down sidewalks in cities — if you’re considering bringing one home, definitely do your research.<\/p>

“Most importantly, if you are purchasing a French bulldog, buy from a reputable breeder,” she says. “With popularity comes unscrupulous breeder’s out to simply make money without concern for protecting our breed. Members of the French Bull Dog Club of America sign a Code of Ethics. Our common goal [is] to ‘Protect, Promote, and Preserve’ our precious breed.”<\/p>

2. Labrador retriever<\/h2>
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Famous standouts:<\/b><\/h3>

You’ve seen them in films like “Marley & Me,” but the breed’s real-life heroics could be seen in a search and rescue dog named Jake<\/a>, who looked for survivors following the 9\/11 attacks and later in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He died in 2007.<\/p>

What people love about Labs:<\/b><\/h3>

They may have fallen to the second spot this year, but 31 years in a row at number one? That’s impressive. <\/p>

“The versatile, family-friendly Labrador retriever has solidified itself as America’s dog,” says AKC executive secretary Gina DiNardo in a statement when the list was made public. “With their loving, outgoing personality and eager-to-please attitude, it’s no surprise that the Lab has been able to continue its record-breaking run as the most popular breed in the U.S.”<\/p>

These beautiful dogs<\/a> are the traditional waterdog of Newfoundland, the large Canadian island, but the British refined the breed in the 19th century, the AKC says<\/a>. Described as “outgoing,” “high-spirited” and “famously friendly,” it’s no wonder that so many households have chosen them as their trusted companions since the early 90s.<\/p>

3. Golden retriever<\/h2>
\"Golden<\/figure>

Famous standouts:<\/b><\/h3>

Goldens have the “Air Bud” movies to thank for bringing them into so many living rooms. Presidents Ford and Reagan also had retrievers in the White House<\/a>, respectively named Liberty and Victory.<\/p>

What people love about golden retrievers:<\/b><\/h3>

Maybe the easier question is: What’s not to love about these beauties? Not a whole lot.<\/p>

“From the eager expression to the wagging tail, a Golden is happiness in a canine unit,” says Alison Webb, the eastern director for the Golden Retriever Club of America<\/a>. “This is an active, people-oriented breed that wants to be involved in your daily activities. Hiking, swimming and sleeping on my feet are my dogs’ favorite activities. I love that these dogs are so smart, adaptable and trainable.”<\/p>

They hail from the Scottish Highlands<\/a>, where they were bred to retrieve — and they still take this job very seriously.<\/p>

“Goldens were developed to be gundogs, and their natural retrieving instincts are intact,” Webb says. “They’ll bring you a baby bird fallen from its nest but also take your socks and underwear out to the lawn if given the chance. One of my dogs helps out by picking up all the dog bowls after a meal, while another I’ve taught to help me pull invasive weeds. Goldens do need quite a bit of exercise, or they will find something to do, which may not be on your approved list of activities.”<\/p>

4. German shepherd<\/h2>
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Image via American Kennel Club<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Famous standouts:<\/b><\/h3>

After he was rescued from battle in World War I, a male German shepherd<\/a> named Rin Tin Tin became a movie star. President Joe Biden’s dog, Champ, was also a German shepherd.<\/p>

What people love about German shepherds:<\/b><\/h3>

The modern day German shepherds are relatives of German herding dogs and have beefed up their resumes with various skills, including agility, police work and more. Gary Szymczak, president German Shepherd Dog Club of America<\/a>, says they’re popular first and foremost because of their intelligence and second their commitment and dedication to their families.<\/p>

“They’re so intelligent. They are notoriously a family dog,” he says. “All dogs, all breeds have a negative side. If there is one to a German shepherd that I can attest to, it’s their shedding twice a year.”  <\/p>

They’re also very easily trained, he says, and love to have a job.<\/p>

“They don’t need a lot of exercise like your sporting dogs do, but because they are a larger dog, they need to have some activity. But more importantly a German shepherd has to have a purpose,” he says. ”German shepherds are not couch potatoes, that’s not what they’re bred to do.”<\/p>

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>

Top 10 ugly dog breeds with character and charm<\/a><\/blockquote>