The Most Popular Dog Breeds in the US

Published: May 6, 2024 by Tad Malone

Though it hardly bears repeating, dogs are mankind’s best friend. Since time immemorial, these furry pals have stuck with humans through thick and thin. Be it companions, workers, guardians, sentries, or herders, dogs use their natural skills and we adapt them to the needs of people. Even with thousands of different breeds, some variations become the most popular dogs every year.

It’s hard to say exactly when the wolves watching from the forest’s edge took a chance, sidled up to early man’s fires, and made themselves at home. Researchers and scientists estimate dog domestication from wolves began at least 15,000 years ago. The remains of the oldest dog ever found, in Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany, date to 14,223 years ago and show clear delineations in tooth shape from wolves.

Some researchers, however, date the domestication of dogs even farther back before the invention of agriculture. Thanks to shared survival interests, called commensalism in biology, dogs and humans grew up together. Furthermore, unlike other canids, dogs adapted to our diets and can thrive with a starch-rich diet. There’s no telling how long dogs have been part of our communities, but they aren’t going anywhere.

Thanks to centuries, if not millennia, of selective breeding, dogs have proliferated into thousands of breeds of every shape, size, and purpose. Be it the giant Saint Bernards, bred to rescue trapped mountaineers with a gentle disposition, or the tiny Jack Russell Terriers, bred with high energy and the confidence to take down foxes, there are dogs for every type of activity.

As mankind transitioned away from fields into cities, dogs’ innate affection and loyalty helped them become the most sought-after pets. These days, dogs likely spend more time on the couch than outside working, yet people still seek out specific breeds to serve their purposes. In this article, we will explore the most popular dogs in 2023.

To identify the 50 most popular breeds in the United States, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club released in April 2024. The organization bases its rankings on the number of registrations in its purebred registry. Mixes and “mutts” are excluded. (For the most Instagrammable pooches, next check out The Most Popular Dog Breeds on Instagram.)

50. Samoyed

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Temperament: Adaptable, Friendly, Gentle
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Working

49. Portuguese Water Dog

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Temperament: Affectionate, Adventurous, Athletic
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
Group: Working

48. Weimaraner

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Temperament: Friendly, Fearless, Obedient
Life expectancy: 10-13 years
Group: Sporting

47. Dalmatian

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Temperament: Dignified, Smart, Outgoing
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
Group: Non-sporting

46. Shiba Inu

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Temperament: Alert, Active, Attentive
Life expectancy: 13-16 years
Group: Non-sporting

45. Papillon

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Temperament: Friendly, Alert, Happy
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Toy

44. Bichon Frise

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Temperament: Playful, Curious, Peppy
Life expectancy: 14-15 years
Group: Non-sporting

43. West Highland White Terrier

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Temperament: Loyal, Happy, Entertaining
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Group: Terrier

42. Newfoundland

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Temperament: Sweet, Patient, Devoted
Life expectancy: 9-10 years
Group: Working

41. Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Temperament: Affectionate, Dignified, Even-Tempered
Life expectancy: 10 years
Group: Hound

40. Collie

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Temperament: Devoted, Graceful, Proud
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Herding

39. English Cocker Spaniel

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Temperament: Energetic, Merry, Responsive
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Sporting

38. Mastiff

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Temperament: Courageous, Dignified, Good-Natured
Life expectancy: 6-10 years
Group: Working

37. Maltese

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Temperament: Gentle, Playful, Charming
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Toy

36. Pug

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Temperament: Charming, Mischievous, Loving
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Group: Toy

35. Vizsla

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Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Energetic
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Sporting

34. Basset Hound

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Temperament: Charming, Patient, Low-Key
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Group: Hound

33. Belgian Malinois

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Temperament: Confident, Smart, Hardworking
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Herding

32. Chihuahua

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Temperament: Charming, Graceful, Sassy
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Toy

31. Border Collies

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Temperament: Intelligent, Athletic, Even-tempered
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Herding

30. Cocker Spaniel

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Temperament: Gentle, Smart, Happy
Life expectancy: 10-14 years
Group: Sporting

29. Miniature American Shepherd

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Temperament: Good-natured, Intelligent, Devoted
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Group: Herding

28. Brittany

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Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Upbeat
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Sporting

27. English Springer Spaniel

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Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Obedient
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Sporting

26. Shetland Sheepdog

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Temperament: Playful, Energetic, Bright
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Herding

25. Havanese

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Temperament: Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Toy

24. Siberian Husky

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Temperament: Loyal, Mischievous, Outgoing
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Working

23. Boston Terrier

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Temperament: Friendly, Bright, Amusing
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
Group: Non-sporting

22. Pomeranian

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Temperament: Inquisitive, Bold, Lively
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Group: Toy

21. Bernese Mountain Dog

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Temperament: Good-natured, Calm, Strong
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Group: Working

20. Shih Tzu

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Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing
Life expectancy: 10-18 years
Group: Toy

19. Great Dane

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Temperament: Friendly, Patient, Dependable
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Group: Working

18. Boxer

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Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Working

17. Miniature Schnauzer

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Temperament: Friendly, Smart, Obedient
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Terrier

16. Cane Corso

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Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, Majestic
Life expectancy: 9-12 years
Group: Working

15. Doberman Pinscher

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Temperament: Loyal, Fearless, Alert
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Working

14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Toy

13. Yorkshire Terrier

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Temperament: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish
Life expectancy: 11-15 years
Group: Toy

12. Australian Shepherd

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Temperament: Smart, Work-Oriented, Exuberant
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Herding

11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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Temperament: Affectionate, Smart, Alert
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Group: Herding

10. German Shorthaired Pointer

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Temperament: Friendly, Smart, Willing to Please
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Sporting

9. Rottweiler

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Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian
Life expectancy: 9-10 years
Group: Working

8. Beagle

Sleeping beagle on the sofa in living room

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Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry
Life expectancy: 10-15 years
Group: Hound

7. Bulldog

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Temperament: Friendly, Courageous, Calm
Life expectancy: 8-10 years
Group: Non-sporting

6. Dachshund

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Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Spunky
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Group: Hound

5. Poodle

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Temperament: Active, Proud, Very Smart
Life expectancy: 10-18 years
Group: Non-sporting

4. German Shepherd Dog

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Temperament: Confident, Courageous, Smart
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Herding

3. Golden Retriever

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Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Sporting

2. Labrador Retriever

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Temperament: Friendly, Active, Outgoing
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Sporting

1. French Bulldog

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Temperament: Adaptable, Playful, Smart
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Non-sporting