Most Popular Dog Breeds in America

The border collie is widely considered to be the most intelligent dog breed. In fact, it was bred for its intelligence and obedience and has tremendous herding abilities and protective instincts. The border collie makes a great pet but needs more physical exercise and mental stimulation than many other breeds.

The cocker spaniel – also called the American cocker spaniel – is the smallest of the sporting dogs and packs a lot of cuteness into a small package. With a handsome face, big soulful eyes, and a tail that wags the dog, it’s no surprise it always does well in the AKC popularity rankings.

Brittanys gets their name from their native French province. According to the AKC, the Brittany didn’t officially become recognized as a breed until 1907, when an orange-and-white-colored pup named Boy in France was registered. Prior to this point, the breed was registered as one of many miscellaneous French spaniels.

This breed was originally bred to tend the small sheep of the Shetland Islands at the far northern tip of Scotland. Because of its intelligence, Shetland sheepdogs are quick to understand and obey commands. While they’re loyal and affectionate, which makes them great pets, they also tend to be reserved towards strangers, which makes them good watchdogs.

This breed is named for its hunting style – it “springs” birds, flushing them into the air, and then points at and retrieves them. As well as being a great hunter, the springer spaniel is a friendly and playful pet. The breed is highly trainable.