Most Popular Dog Breeds in America: 2026 AKC Rankings

The American Kennel Club releases breed registration data annually, providing the most authoritative measure of dog breed popularity in the United States. The 2025 rankings — the most recent full-year data available as of March 2026 — reveal a familiar name at the top and a notable shift in the top five. This research piece examines the rankings, the trends behind them, and what popularity actually means for prospective dog owners.

The Top 25 Most Popular Dog Breeds (2025 AKC Data)

Rank	Breed	Change from 2024	Our Breed Guide
1	French Bulldog	Steady (4th consecutive year at No. 1)	French Bulldog Guide
2	Labrador Retriever	Steady (3rd year at No. 2)	Labrador Retriever Guide
3	Golden Retriever	Steady	Golden Retriever Guide
4	German Shepherd Dog	Steady	German Shepherd Guide
5	Dachshund	Up from No. 6	Dachshund Guide
6	Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy)	Down from No. 5	Poodle Guide
7	Bulldog (English)	Swapped with No. 8	Bulldog Guide
8	German Shorthaired Pointer	Swapped with No. 7	German Shorthaired Pointer Guide
9	Rottweiler	Steady	Rottweiler Guide
10	Beagle	Steady	Beagle Guide
11	Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Steady	Pembroke Welsh Corgi Guide
12	Australian Shepherd	Steady	Australian Shepherd Guide
13	Yorkshire Terrier	Steady	Yorkshire Terrier Guide
14	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Steady	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Guide
15	Doberman Pinscher	Steady	Doberman Pinscher Guide
16	Boxer	Steady	Boxer Guide
17	Miniature Schnauzer	Steady	Miniature Schnauzer Guide
18	Cane Corso	Steady	Cane Corso Guide
19	Great Dane	Steady	Great Dane Guide
20	Shih Tzu	Steady	Shih Tzu Guide
21	Siberian Husky	Steady	Siberian Husky Guide
22	Bernese Mountain Dog	Steady	Bernese Mountain Dog Guide
23	Pomeranian	Steady	Pomeranian Guide
24	Boston Terrier	Steady	Boston Terrier Guide
25	Havanese	Steady	Havanese Guide

Rankings based on AKC registration data. The AKC now recognizes 205 breeds following the January 2026 addition of three new breeds.

The Big Stories in 2025-2026

French Bulldog: Four Years at No. 1

The French Bulldog has held the top spot since 2022, when it dethroned the Labrador Retriever’s extraordinary 31-year reign. The Frenchie’s appeal is straightforward: compact size, low exercise needs, adaptable temperament, and a distinctive appearance that photographs well on social media. City dwellers, apartment renters, and first-time owners have driven registrations to record highs.

But popularity has a cost. The surge in demand has fueled irresponsible breeding operations that prioritize volume over health. French Bulldogs are brachycephalic — their flattened faces cause chronic breathing difficulties, overheating risk, and eye problems. BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery costs ~~$3,000-~~$5,000. The breed also commonly requires cesarean sections for delivery, compounding breeding costs that trickle down to buyers.

If you are considering a French Bulldog, read our French Bulldog Guide and Brachycephalic Breeds Health Guide before committing. A healthy Frenchie from a responsible breeder that health-tests is a wonderful companion — but they are not the low-maintenance, inexpensive pet that marketing suggests.

Labrador Retriever: The Eternal No. 2

The Labrador Retriever held the No. 1 spot for an unprecedented 31 years (1991-2021) before the French Bulldog overtook it. Settling into No. 2 for the third consecutive year does not diminish the Lab’s appeal — it remains America’s most versatile dog, excelling as a family pet, service dog, hunting companion, and therapy dog.

The Lab’s enduring popularity is earned. They are trainable, gentle with children, enthusiastic about exercise without being neurotic, and adaptable to most living situations (with adequate exercise). See our Labrador Retriever Guide for full details.

Dachshund Enters the Top 5

The most notable movement in the 2025 rankings: the Dachshund climbed from No. 6 to No. 5, displacing the Poodle from the top five for the first time in years. The Dachshund’s appeal combines a distinctive silhouette, manageable size, and a bold personality that belies its 16 to 32 pound frame. They are stubborn, loyal, and surprisingly athletic for their body shape.

Dachshund owners should be aware of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the breed’s most significant health risk. Their elongated spine makes them vulnerable to disc herniation, which can cause paralysis. Preventing jumping on and off furniture and maintaining a healthy weight are the two most important preventive measures. Full details: Dachshund Guide.

Three New Breeds Recognized in 2026

In January 2026, the AKC recognized three new breeds, bringing the total number of registered breeds to 205:

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka: A small companion breed from Russia. Sweet-tempered, low-shedding, weighing 4.5 to 11 pounds. Originally bred as a lap dog for Russian aristocracy.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier: An American-bred terrier, compact and muscular at 8 to 25 pounds. Named after the president who kept a similar dog at the White House. Energetic, loyal, and sturdy.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne: A French scent hound, 36 to 40 pounds. Wiry golden coat, enthusiastic temperament, and strong prey drive. Originally bred for rabbit hunting in Brittany.

These breeds will debut in the 2026 rankings and currently have small but dedicated followings in the U.S.

What Popularity Rankings Do Not Tell You

Popularity Does Not Equal Suitability

The most popular breed is not the best breed for you. French Bulldogs top the list, but their health challenges and veterinary costs make them a poor fit for budget-conscious owners. Labrador Retrievers are No. 2, but their exercise needs and shedding make them a poor fit for sedentary apartment dwellers.

Use our Dog Breed Guide 2026: Finding the Perfect Match to find the breed that matches your lifestyle, not the one that tops a chart.

Popularity Can Drive Irresponsible Breeding

When a breed surges in popularity, irresponsible breeders and puppy mills increase production to meet demand. This leads to health problems, temperament issues, and an eventual increase in breed-specific rescues. The Dalmatian boom after the 1996 movie, the Siberian Husky surge during Game of Thrones, and the French Bulldog explosion of 2020-2025 all followed this pattern.

If you want a popular breed, find a reputable breeder who health-tests, limits litters, and prioritizes temperament. Or check breed-specific rescues — popular breeds are well-represented. See Adopting vs Buying a Dog.

Registration Data Undercounts Mixed Breeds

AKC rankings reflect registered purebred dogs only. They do not count mixed breeds, which represent a significant portion of the U.S. dog population. Designer crosses like the Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Cockapoo, and Bernedoodle are extremely popular but do not appear in AKC rankings because they are not recognized breeds.

Breed Popularity by City (2025)

Regional preferences vary significantly. The AKC’s 2025 city-level data shows:

New York City: French Bulldog (No. 1), Yorkshire Terrier, Goldendoodle, Poodle, Labrador Retriever
Los Angeles: French Bulldog (No. 1), Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Bulldog
Chicago: French Bulldog (No. 1), Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler
Houston: Labrador Retriever (No. 1), French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Dachshund
Phoenix: German Shepherd (No. 1), Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Chihuahua

Climate, lifestyle, and housing patterns all influence regional breed preferences.

Trends to Watch

Rising breeds: Cane Corso, Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have all climbed steadily in the last five years. Expect continued upward movement.

Declining breeds: Many traditional working breeds (Bloodhound, Irish Setter, Scottish Terrier) continue a slow decline as their original jobs become less common and their grooming or exercise demands limit urban appeal.

Designer breeds: Not counted in AKC rankings but dominating in practice. Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are among the most common dogs in American parks and neighborhoods. Whether the AKC will eventually recognize stabilized designer breeds remains an open question.

What to Read Next

Sources: American Kennel Club (AKC.org) 2025 breed registration data and 2025 Most Popular Breeds by City report; PetMD (petmd.com); ASPCA (aspca.org). Breed health information sourced from AKC breed-specific health statements and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). New breed recognition data from AKC.org January 2026 announcement.

Sources

AKC Breed Explorer — accessed March 2026
ASPCA Breed Guide — accessed March 2026