10 Most Popular Dog Breeds (2024)

Dogs are clearly liked in the United States; the American Pet Products Association estimates that at least 65 million homes have at least one. You might be wondering which of the estimated 360 dog breeds available made the top of the list. Every year, the American Kennel Club lists the most often used dog breeds in the United States; some breeds, like golden retrievers, may not surprise you, while others are really surprising.

Although all of these canines are much loved, some have unique medical problems. Getting the best pet insurance is the most crucial action you can take for the health of your new dog after you have chosen the right one for you.

01: French Bulldog

Rising to the top of the AKC’s most popular dog breeds list, French bulldogs, or Frenchies, as they are commonly known, have exploded in popularity over the past few years.

“Frenchies fit family settings rather nicely. Dr. Antonio De Marco, D.V.M., chief medical and mentoring officer of GoodVets, a network of in-person countrywide animal hospitals, says they are friendly, playful, and make adorable noises.

The Kennel Club claims that Frenchies just need one hour of daily exercise. Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed; hence, their faces are flat, and they can have problems breathing comfortably. Exercise your Frenchie especially carefully to make sure they are not overheating, and steer clear of overdoing them in hot or humid conditions.

Though they shed somewhat, Frenchies are usually thought to be low-shedders. They also hardly bark and are not a highly noisy breed.

02: Labrador Retriever

Long associated with the ideal family dog, the Labrador retriever has been Almost any living environment would be perfect for these lively, devoted dogs since they are playful. They are eager to satisfy their owners; hence, they are also easy to teach.

The Labrador retriever, an intelligent dog full of vitality, will require enough time and space to run about. The Kennel Club advises this breed to exercise for more than two hours per day. They also require cerebral stimulation—think of toys or puzzle feeders, training and sports.

Labs shed often because of their thick double coat, but brushing them at least once a week helps to minimize this. You might have to brush them every day during seasons with high shedding, like as spring and autumn.

Labradors also have some health problems to be alert for. “Larger breed dogs are more likely to sustain ACL tears, hip dysplasia, and knee injuries, advises De Marco.

03: Golden Retriever

Like their Labrador counterparts, golden retrievers are great family members. Known for their caring and loving attitude, these dogs are gentle and sociable.

Regarding exercise, goldens need more than two hours a day, according to The Kennel Club. These clever and energetic canines enjoy swimming and fetching. They also benefit from training and want mental stimulation.

Being longer and thicker than labradors, goldens are high shedders. Daily brushing or at least twice-weekly brushing is advised.

Given their propensity for hip dysplasia, ACL injuries, and joint problems, these dogs have comparable health difficulties with labradors. Studies also show that goldens sadly have a greater cancer risk than most dogs.

04: German Shepherd

German shepherds are wonderful house pets in addition to outstanding police and search and rescue dogs. De Marco said German shepherds are “high-energy and have more of a protective side.” They also want lots of cerebral stimulation and are rather brilliant, he notes.

“Smart-breed dogs often act more mischievous since they get bored easier,” De Marco notes. Through training, sports, chew toys, or nose work exercises, you may keep your dog active and avoid this.

German shepherds are eager to have several “jobs” and also answer well to commands. “Dogkind’s finest all-purpose worker,” the American Kennel Club says.

Hip and elbow dysplasia, a neurological condition, gastrointestinal dilatation and volvulus (GDV), and other health problems for this breed are listed here.

05: Poodle

Poodles are well-known for their attractive, high-maintenance coat, intelligence, and sociability. Poodles, among the most intelligent dog breeds available, also require plenty of brain challenges and exercise to be happy.

Poodles come in toy, miniature, and standard sizes. Poodles often have a proud, playful, sociable, and brilliant attitude. They are fairly flexible since they are fine with other animals, strangers, and young people.

Poodles require a lot of care with regard to their coat. Their hair often mats instead of poodles being large shedders. You have to brush them every other day to avoid this. About every six weeks, they will also require expert grooming and clipping.

Regarding health concerns, poodles are prone to Cushing’s disease, gastrointestinal dilatation and volvulus (GDV), visual problems including progressive retinal atrophy and more.

06: Bulldog

De Marco adds Bulldogs are low-energy and sometimes characterized to as lethargic. Bulldogs are more likely to curl up on the couch to view their preferred movie than to sprint with you.

The Kennel Club reports that bulldogs require up to one hour of daily exercise. Enough daily walks and some house games should cover it. Bulldogs are a flat-faced breed, much like their Frenchie counterparts, which increases their likelihood of heat stroke. Bulldog swimming is also poor; hence, be sure to keep an extra-close eye on them around a lake or pool.

Additionally prone to skin fold dermatitis, cherry eye, dry eye, entropion and mange are Bulldogs.

Given their short coat, Bulldogs shed not much.

07: Rottweiler

Rottweilers belong to the working group of dog breeds, so they flourish with an activity or “job.” Their alert and protective qualities together make them great watchdogs or guard dogs. Still, they are a devoted and affectionate breed; with appropriate socializing and training, a rottie’s territorial impulses can be under control.

Usually weighing between 80 and 135 pounds and ranging in height from 22 to 27 inches, a rottweiler is a large canine Along with enjoying activities and sports, they are an active breed and perfect for running or long walks with you.

Though they are protective, rottweilers are not considered to be particularly noisy breed. Apart from defending their territory and loved ones, you will hardly hear them barking.

Regarding health concerns, rottweilers have more cases of hip dysplasia, eye problems, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, and cardiac problems.

08: Beagle

The floppy ears and vivid coats of beagles are well-known. Their characteristics usually fit those of loveable, cheerful, and inquisitive people. Often employed as scent-detecting dogs at airports, they belong to the hound group.

A lively breed, beagles will require lots of stimulus to flourish. Their strong sense of smell may make them enjoy mental difficulties using snuffle mats—a mat designed to hide goodies. Long walks with lots of chances to sniff and investigate are their chosen workout. Just be careful to keep your dog’s leash short since a beagle’s curiosity is well known to cause it to wander.

Beagles need brushing just once a week and have a low-maintenance coat with average shedding.

Common health problems for beagles include hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and hypothyroidism; intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is another. DeMarco notes that beagles’ “big, floppy ears” cause ear infections to be a major problem as well.

09: Daschund

Often referred to as “weiner dogs, dachshunds have long bodies and short legs. They have limitless energy, are interested, and are funny. Like many little dogs, though, “they can be feisty,” De Marco notes.

“They let you know it’s their house when you visit,” De Marco notes.

They also often have a talkative breed tendency. Dachshunds will express themselves with their loud bark, in line with their strong personalities.

The type you own determines the grooming requirements of a dachshund. Short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired coats abound among Dachshunds. While long-haired dachshunds can mat if not brushed daily, short-haired dachshunds require little brushing. Like other dog breeds on this list, wire-haired dachshunds resemble miniature schnauzers, and their beard requires maintenance.

Dachshund health issues are largely due to problems resulting from their anatomy. Dachshunds have somewhat high rates of IVDD. Try to keep your dog breed from jumping from the sofa or any other demanding exercise that could strain its spine to avoid this.

10: German Shorthaired Pointer

Another breed that excels with a job, training, and intense activity is the German shorthaired pointer. This is so because these are very bright and energetic dogs; historically, they have been employed as effective hunters.

The fact that this breed is well-known for pointing makes it interesting. German shorthaired pointers may often halt and show you something intriguing from a residual impulse derived from their hunting background. They adopt a “pointing stance.” They have even been reported to point when one dreams.

German shorthaired pointers are not for laid-back, inactive owners because of their high-maintenance activity and mental stimulation needs.

Infections: German shorthaired pointers are frequently talkative breeds that will bark and whine to attract attention. Furthermore, problematic for the breed have been skin and ear infections, as well as eye disorders.