For the third straight year, the nation’s top dog is not the Labrador retriever.
After holding the hound crown for 31 years, the Labrador retriever fell from the No. 1 spot in 2022 — and it did not regain the throne in 2023 or 2024, according to the latest annual American Kennel Club ranking.
The ranking is based on the number of AKC registrations received for each breed in 2024.
The following breeds were the most popular dogs in 2024.
French bulldog
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 1 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
For the third straight year, the French bulldog is the most popular breed in America. It has been steadily rising in the rankings since 2012, when it finished 14th.
Contrary to their name, the French bulldog actually originated in England. However, it quickly became popular as a lap dog among middle- and upper-class people in Paris, which led to the dog’s moniker.
Unfortunately for the many people who love French bulldogs, the breed has one of the shortest lifespans. That’s according to an analysis of data on 500,000 dogs, as we detailed in “9 Dog Breeds That Live Longest — and 10 With the Shortest Lifespans.”
Labrador retriever
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 2 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
The Labrador retriever is a popular family dog because of its sweet disposition. It is known for being friendly and outgoing.
This type of dog also has webbed toes that help make it an excellent swimmer.
Golden retriever
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 3 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
Golden retrievers have a keen sense of smell and are good trackers. That has made them a favorite of search-and-rescue teams.
Two presidents — Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan — kept golden retrievers while in office.
German shepherd
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 4 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
One of the most famous dogs in history — Rin Tin Tin — was a German shepherd. An American soldier fighting in World War I discovered the famous pooch in France and brought him home.
These dogs are among the smartest and fastest of them all.
Poodle
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 5 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
Poodles also have a major claim to fame: Jacqueline Kennedy owned a poodle named Gaullie as a youth.
An ardent Francophile from her teen years, the future first lady named the pup after French President Charles de Gaulle, whom she admired for his resolve as a general during World War II, because the poodle “was straight and proud and had a prominent nose,” she said.
Poodles come with various hairstyles, with strict rules regarding their puffs and pompoms.
Dachshund
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 6 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
Modern art owes much to the dachshund. The breed was a favorite of both Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
In fact, Picasso’s dog — Lump — was said to be a major source of inspiration for the artist.
Beagle
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 7 in 2024 (up from No. 8 the prior year)
The dog that is arguably the single most famous of all time — the Peanuts comics character Snoopy — is a beagle.
The floppy ears that make beagles so endearing also serve a purpose. As beagles dip their noses to the ground, the ears help funnel scents into their nostrils.
Those ears also function as natural noise-canceling headphones, helping to muffle distractions so beagles can focus on the job at hand.
Rottweiler
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 8 in 2024 (up from No. 9 the prior year)
For millennia, few people have been brave — or foolish — enough to mess with a Rottweiler. The dogs are powerful and protective, which is why cattle herders used to put their money in a bag and tie it around their dog’s neck.
Bulldog
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 9 in 2024 (down from No. 7 the prior year)
Bulldogs are a top choice for those seeking mascots. Institutions from the U.S. Marine Corps to the University of Georgia have chosen the bulldog as an emblem.
Because they don’t require much exercise, bulldogs also are a top choice for people who live in the city.
German shorthaired pointer
This dog breed’s popularity ranking: No. 10 in 2024 (same as the prior year)
German shorthaired pointers are high-energy dogs known for their hunting prowess. They also sport a speckled pattern that is unique to each individual dog.
This dog requires a lot of activity. Without it, these canines can resort to bad behavior, such as destructive chewing or excessive barking.
Add a Comment