Choosing the perfect canine companion is a big decision, and each year the American Kennel Club reveals which breeds are America’s favorites. For over three decades, the Labrador retriever held the #1 spot, but in 2023, a new breed claimed the throne.
Using the AKC’s latest rankings, released in April 2024, this list highlights the 10 most popular purebred dogs in the U.S. It showcases a wide variety of pups, including tiny lap dogs, mighty hunters and loyal family companions.
Whether you’re drawn to compact French bulldogs or classic retrievers, there’s a pup on this list for everyone.
Most popular dog breeds in America
10. German shorthaired pointer
- 2023 popularity rank: #10 (no change)
German shorthaired pointers were originally bred in Germany during the late 1800s as a dog that would instinctively perform a variety of hunting-related duties. The breed’s name is partially derived from the arrow-like stance the dog exhibits while locating prey.
German shorthaired pointers’ high energy makes them good company for long hikes, while their strong work ethic and desire to please make them all-around excellent additions to any family.
9. Rottweiler
- 2023 popularity rank: #7 (down 2)
Rottweilers have a history of being hard-working dogs. Originally bred in Germany to drive cattle to butchers and pull carts filled with meat, rottweilers were later used as police dogs before eventually settling into their current jobs as very reliable guard dogs.
They have an uncanny natural instinct to protect their owners, families, and homes and have earned a reputation for being aggressive and ferocious in their defense methods. But when properly trained and socialized, rottweilers can be quite loveable and even forget that they are too big to be lap dogs.
8. Beagle
- 2023 popularity rank: #8 (no change)
The beagle is said to have been derived from an old French word that translates into English as “gaped throat.” That is likely because beagles bark, howl, and bay—especially when their uncanny sense of smell picks up something that intrigues them.
Their noses have about 220 million scent receptors, exponentially more than humans’ roughly 5 million scent receptors.
7. Bulldog
- 2023 popularity rank: #6 (down 1)
Much like the one featured in the 2002 comedy “Van Wilder,” bulldogs tend to be quite flatulent. Originally bred to fight bulls for sport, this breed has made a place for itself in homes where they can essentially be couch potatoes and a constant source of amusement for families.
6. Dachshund
- 2023 popularity rank: #9 (up 3)
Dachshunds have many nicknames including “wiener dog,” but their name actually translates from German to English as “badger dog.” That’s because this breed originated more than 600 years ago to hunt badgers and even fight them to the death.
Their incredible sense of smell, paired with their short legs and long bodies, made these hounds the perfect little exterminators of burrowing critters.
5. Poodle
- 2023 popularity rank: #5 (no change)
Originating in Germany as duck retrievers, poodles have since earned a reputation of royalty due to their success at show competitions and meticulous hairdos.
While many poodles of the standard and miniature varieties live relatively luxurious lives and develop superiority complexes as the alpha of a family, poodles are also extremely intelligent and capable of learning a variety of tasks and tricks.
4. German shepherd
- 2023 popularity rank: #4 (no change)
The German shepherd may be the most versatile dog breed, as it has made a name for itself in a variety of industries including law enforcement, the military, search and rescue, herding, and drug detection. These dogs tend to become very attached to their owners and are therefore affectionate and prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
3. Golden retriever
- 2023 popularity rank: #3 (no change)
Golden retrievers may very well be the all-American dog, especially if you consider their frequent appearances in movies like “Air Bud” and television series like “Full House.” But before coming to the U.S., golden retrievers were bred in Scotland for the purpose of retrieving game for hunters.
While they can certainly still perform those duties, golden retrievers are now more prone to retrieving their owner’s newspapers and slippers. Goldens are exceptionally easy to train but are among the least effective guard dogs, thanks to their highly affectionate instincts.
2. Labrador retriever
- 2023 popularity rank: #2 (no change)
Labrador retrievers originally hail from Newfoundland, where they were bred to be water dogs that could help hunters retrieve ducks and fishermen pull in nets. Their “otter tails” assist them with these tasks by acting as powerful rutters.
This breed is one of the most frequently portrayed dogs in movies and on television, with appearances ranging from “Family Guy” and “Lost” to “Old Yeller” and “Marley and Me.” The breed was also the first to grace the cover of Life magazine in 1938 and a U.S. postage stamp in 1959.
1. French bulldog
- 2023 popularity rank: #1 (no change)
The French bulldog’s trademark feature is its erect bat ears, but this breed has a lot more going for it than its bulldog-like face in miniature size. This dog is among the most affectionate of breeds, although its attachment issues can manifest as possessiveness. It’s imperative to socialize this breed as much as possible.
Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Copy editing by Lois Hince. Photo selection by Michael Flocker.
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