In this article, we will be letting you know the top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds In The Us. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact number of dog breeds in the US, due to how many are mixed breeds, there are at least 150. And while some of these breeds were originally bred for herding livestock and others were bred as pointers or retrievers, there is a general class divide when it comes to their popularity. The American Kennel Club reveals that many of these popular dog breeds hail from America while the others come from more distant parts of Europe. So which dog breeds top the list of popular dog breeds in the US?
1. Labrador Retriever
Coming in at number one, we have the Labrador Retriever – a member of the sporting group and an excellent gundog as well as a retriever. The Lab was developed in Newfoundland by crossing St. John’s Waterdogs with Irish Setters. The breed thrived mainly due to their skill as retrievers for fishermen but also for hunters because of their instincts to retrieve animals from water.
Originally called St. John’s Dogs, the breed was renamed after its popularity grew along with the British occupation of Canada. The Lab is a large dog that requires lots of exercises. They are described as having a pleasant, outgoing nature and are loyal to their family. They are also intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train.
2. German Shepherd
Next in line is the German Shepherd, a military dog used by the armed forces during both world wars but has since become popular in civilian families for their protective nature. The GSD is an athletic breed with a thick coat that does best in cooler climates because they have little to no undercoat. The breed was developed from three distinct breeds, the Pomeranian, the German short-haired pointer, and the kennel club by mixing herding dogs with guard dogs. They are used as police dogs and guard dogs, search and rescue, as well as assistance animals. Although the German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, it has quickly become one of the most popular dog breeds in the US.
3. Doberman Pinscher
Coming in at number three is the Doberman Pinscher – a military dog used during both world wars in which they were used to locate hidden weapons or explosives. They are medium-sized dogs with thick coat that requires minimal grooming. They were developed from two distinct breeds, the German Sturmhausser and the Rat Terrier (who was crossed with a blacksmith’s dog).
However, the Doberman has a shorter face than other dogs from the same lineage, which makes it one of the most distinguished of dog breeds. It is currently one of the most popular and successful dog breeds in the US.
4. Rottweiler
Rounding out our top four is the Rottweiler – a large and powerful dog that was used as an enforcer for police forces and to protect large properties like farms and homes. The breed has been around since at least 1670 when German immigrants brought them to Germany. It is believed that Rottweilers were the ancestors of several other breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd.
They have a broad and deep chest, powerful jaws, and an overall athletic body. Rottweilers are smart and take their time to learn commands; they are devoted and protective towards people they are close with. Historically speaking, Rottweilers were used to herd animals but now they excel in show rings, agility competitions, obedience trials, search and rescue and as therapy dogs.
5. Golden Retriever
Coming in at number five is the Golden Retriever – a versatile hunting dog that was developed in Scotland for both hunting game birds and retrieving game from water. They are described as alert, loyal, intelligent, and playful. They are also good with children and other animals. The Golden Retriever is a relatively new breed that was developed in the early 1900s by breeding smaller dogs with dingoes. They are now recognized as one of the most popular dog breeds in the US due to their versatility, intelligence, and loyalty toward their owners.
6. Bullmastiff
Finishing out our list of Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds In The USA is the Bullmastiff – a large powerful dog that was used as a hunter of big game animals like lions along with guarding livestock. Bullmastiffs were originally developed in England by crossing English Bulldogs with Mastiffs of Spanish/French origin.
These dogs are also known as the English Mastiff and are a rather large breed with a hefty frame. They are strong and have a lot of stamina but tend to be aggressive towards other animals, especially if they feel threatened because their ancestors used to use them as fighting dogs. Despite the negative connotation that accompanies the Bullmastiff, they are one of the most popular dogs in the US today.
7. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Coming in at number seven is the Rhodesian Ridgeback – a large, powerful, and athletic hunting dog on a thick coat that is used mainly for herding livestock. Developed from crossing European Greyhounds and Newfoundlands, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence.
They are very athletic dogs with a strong prey drive, which makes them perfect herding dogs. They have a unique ridge of hair on their backs that rises like waves or horns and their tail can curl over their back as well. Although they were bred primarily as livestock dogs, they are not recommended as service animals because of their aggressive nature towards other dogs.
8. Akita Inu
Rounding out our Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds In The USA is the Akita Inu – a large, powerful and athletic hunting dog that was originally bred in Japan. They are used as herding dogs and guard dogs; they have been described as having a distinctly calm nature, which is rare for an animal of their size and strength.
Initially, these dogs were not even considered dogs because of their unique appearance. The Akita was developed from crossed Japanese Spitz and Japanese Mastiff breeds; however, many breeds were crossbred to create particular types of Akitas like bloodhounds, Terriers, and Staghounds. Akitas have a powerful build and tend to be very nippy.
9. Boxer
Coming in at number nine is the Boxer – an intelligent and faithful breed that is large, energetic, and protective of its owners. They have an athletic build with a broad chest, short legs, and small ears. The Boxer was originally bred in Germany as a utility dog, which means they were bred to do just about anything – from rat catcher to farm help – because they were used as a working dog for many years before being recognized as a distinct breed in 1900. They are also known for their outgoing and cheerful personalities.
10. Bull Terrier
Coming in at number ten is the Bull Terrier – a medium-sized breed with a muscular build that was developed to take down bulls for sport and became popular in dogfighting rings. They are described as having a bold and outgoing nature, which makes them great watchdogs because they will not be deterred by strangers.
The Bull Terrier is very energetic, intelligent, and independent; they have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercises to burn off steam every day. They have strong jaws which also makes them good competitors in the show ring because of their strong bite, which they use during performance events like flyball competitions or agility competitions.
11. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a large and powerful dog that was originally bred to hunt wild boars in Germany. They are also known for their distinguishing black and white coloring, which earned them the nickname “German Mastiff” when they were first introduced to England in the 1800s.
They can be prone to hip dysplasia and bloat but once they boast a normal weight, they are a very healthy breed with an average lifespan of 7-10 years. Great Danes are playful and gentle but they can get up to 7 feet tall when standing on all fours, which makes them the tallest dog in the world today.
12. Dalmatian
Coming in at number twelve is the Dalmatian – a medium-sized breed with a thin, smooth, and sleek coat that was originally bred to hunt small animals like rabbits or rodents. Another name they are also called is the “Spot On The Spot” because they could leap into action at any sign of danger which earned them this nickname while they were still used as hunting dogs.
Dalmatians are very social, gentle, and loving dogs but can be territorial around their owners; they also have an unusual hunting instinct, which makes them very protective of their owners as well as other pets and family members. These dogs are also used as search and rescue animals as they share a strong loyalty to their owner and can follow commands very well.
13. Poodle
At number thirteen on our list is the Poodle – an intelligent, twenty-five-pound dog that is known for its curly coats and antics. Originating in Germany, these dogs were bred to be water retrievers or gun dogs, because of the unique coat that helps them swim like a ship. These dogs have been around since the 14th century but they did not become popular in the US until after World War II when soldiers returned home from Europe with Poodles adopted from French breeders.
Poodle is very affectionate, cheerful, and playful dogs but can also be very jealous, which makes them not the best choice for people with small children. They are extrovert dogs that like to make lots of noise; however, they do require a lot of attention and exercise every day.
14. Chinese Shar-Pei
At number fourteen is the Chinese Shar-Pei – a giant dog with a short and thick coat that came from China in ancient times and was used as a hunting dog. Their unusual wrinkled skin has also made them popular in the show ring, as they carry the scars of their rich heritage proudly on their faces.
They are known for having a very loud bark, which can sound vicious to anyone who doesn’t know them well. If not given enough exercise, they can become destructive but if properly trained and exercised, they are good family pets with an average lifespan of 8 years old.
15. Yorkshire Terrier
At number fifteen on our list is the Yorkshire Terrier – a small dog that was originally used as a ratter and vermin hunter in Yorkshire, England. They are a curious breed with an independent and spirited nature; however, they have become a favorite for people who suffer from allergies because of their minimal shedding.
They are athletic dogs which means they will do better in more active homes rather than being kept as couch potatoes. Their short legs also make them easier to handle but they still need plenty of exercises to help them keep their energy levels under control.
16. Weimaraner
Coming in at number sixteen on our list is the Weimaraner – a medium-sized dog that was first bred in Germany as ratters and hunting dogs. Weimaraner are very intelligent dogs and require obedience training to help them be good family pets.
These dogs are very faithful to their owners and can also be jealous, which makes them not a good choice for families with children. They have an athletic build, big elegant heads, and distinctive black and white coloration that originated from working dogs during the Thirty Years War. They are very protective of their owner, but not to a point where they will attack or be overly aggressive.
17. Irish Terrier
At number seventeen on our list is the Irish Terrier – a very small dog with an energetic yet lovable personality. They were originally bred in Ireland as a rat-trap and hunting dogs, but the Irish people soon fell in love with them, and have become very popular in the US over the past century.
They are very good with children because they like to play and be around human contact; however, they can have trouble socializing with other dogs and may even show aggression toward them if they are not introduced at a young age. They are very obedient dogs and love to learn, which makes them excellent family pets.
18. American Staffordshire Terrier
At number eighteen on our list is the American Staffordshire Terrier – a medium-size dog that was originally bred as a terrier and also used as farm guard dogs, as well as being employed as police dogs in America over the past century.
They are very protective of their owner and can be aggressive toward strangers; therefore, they should not be brought up around children until they reach a certain age. They are great with children but still need plenty of exercises every day because their high energy levels burn off quickly with too much sleep.
19. Bloodhound
We are now at number nineteen on our list and this one is the Bloodhound, which comes with an impressive fifteen-inch thick coat. These dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs but were soon abandoned for this job because of their bloodthirsty nature. They have a very unique personality and have been used as tracking dogs since time immemorial.
Today they are used to track missing persons or to help find explosives or other objects buried in the ground. They love people and enjoy human companionship and must be around people at all times or they will become depressed; however, they need plenty of exercises at least once every day to curb their energy levels so that they don’t turn destructive.
20. Ibizan Hound
At number twenty on our list is the Ibizan Hound – a medium-sized dog that is one of the oldest breeds of the hound family and originates from the Canary Islands. They were bred as hunting dogs and were used to hunt boars, rabbits, partridges, and hares, as well as being good trackers for other animals as well.
They are very intense dogs with a high energy level that loves to run and dive into every possible activity there can be; however, they do not like being alone for prolonged periods at home without any human contact and will become very jealous if this happens.
In conclusion, it is important to find the perfect match for you and your family, which can be a time-consuming process but will eventually turn out to be a worthwhile investment. Be sure to do some research beforehand and then make an informed choice to ensure that you are happy with your new addition.
You can check out our article on the 10 best family dog breeds for you to get.