Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds In America

American Kennel Club (AKC) every year will release a list of the most popular dog breeds. For the past 30 years since the year 1991, Labrador Retriever has always been made as the number one most popular dog breeds in America.

Curious about which dog breeds made in the top 10 list of most popular dog breeds? We’re going to discuss below (according to statistics from American Kennel Club).

10. Dachshund

Dachshund originated from Germany in the 1600s and also known as "sausage dog". They were bred to use for hunting, track scent in the old time. Due to their friendly, spunky, and curious temperament, Dachshund has phenomenal stamina of relentlessly running and explore.

They have a common health problem which suffers from back injuries. It’s due to the distinct long shape of the body, whenever it’s hopping around or jumping off from the back as the pressure applied on its back.

But still, they are the favorite dog breeds in America and has an average lifespan of 12 – 16 years. And it’s also set a record in Guinness World Record which know to have lived for 21 years.

Origin: Germany

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Spunky

Height: 8-9 inches

Weight: 16-32 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-16 years

9. Boxer

Boxer also originated from Germany. They were categorized as a "Working" group by AKC in 1904. Boxers were bred for guarding property, hunting, and perform the rescue. They are bright, fun-loving, active, and protective. Very suitable for family as pets as they can protect your kids from strangers.

If you looking for low maintenance dog breeds then boxer is suitable for you as they are classified as a low-shedding dog breed. They required regular brushing 4 times a week to maintain their coat health.

Origin: Germany

Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active

Height: 23-25 inches

Weight: 65-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

8. Rottweiller

Rottweiller originated from Germany and they were recognized as a working group by AKC. Dog breeds of the working group are intelligent, guardian, loyal, and confident. They were used as guarding dogs, herding, mountain rescuers in the old time. 

But now they are popular in America because of their loyal, loving, and high endurance temperament makes them choices of family pets. As they can also be very protective to the family with kids from strangers.

Origin: Germany

Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian

Height: 24-27 inches

Weight: 95-135 pounds

Life Expectancy: 9-10 years

7. Poodle

Poodles are a national dog and originated from France. They are well known in America too because of their charming personality, elegant, smart, and always the choices to cast in TV show or movie.

If you allergic to dog fur? Then good news for you, all poodles fall under one hypoallergenic breed. They are also easy to train and making them one of the most popular dogs in the U.S.

Origin: France

Temperament: Active, Proud, Very Smart

Height: Over 15 inches

Weight: 60-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-18 years

6. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier or ‘Yorkie’(nickname) is the most popular tiny breed in America. Yorkie originated from England and recognized by AKC as Toy group. They have the affectionate, sprightly, and tomboyish temperament. It’s feisty, brave, and sometimes bossy, the Yorkie exhibits all the traits of a true terrier. They also well know as life longevity and commonly can live up to 15 years of life expectancy.

Origin: England

Temperament: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish

Height: 7-8 inches

Weight: 7 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-15 years

5: Beagle

Beagle is a breed of small hunting dogs, used by hunters to track and chase prey. This breed was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s. Beagle not only excellent in hunting but also a loyal companion and having very cute and innocent pleading expressions. They were categorized as a "Hound" group by AKC.

They do require regular exercise, their curiosity temperament makes them keep explore around so you must take an eye on them to avoid them running out of the house.

The average lifespan of a Beagle is 10 – 15 years. According to Guinness World Record, a Beagle dog named Butch in the United States lived an amazing 27 years. The second oldest dog in the world.

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry

Origin: England

Height: 13-15 inches

Weight: under 20 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

4. Bulldog

Bulldog originated from the United Kingdom and they were recognized as a non-sporting group. In the old-time, non-sporting dog is mainly used for hunting, herding, and watchdog. But nowadays they raise as a companion dog for a family with kids.

Bulldog has a friendly, courageous, calm, playful, and smart temperament. Which makes them the perfect pets for the family. But you need to know that, they may have potential health problems such as diarrhea, skin problem, ear infection, and breathing problem when they get older. But overall they are a popular and low-maintenance dog breed with low shedding in America.

Origin: United Kingdom

Temperament: Friendly, Courageous, Calm

Height: 14-15 inches

Weight: 50 pounds

Life Expectancy: 8-10 years

3. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever also originated from the United Kingdom in the 1800s. But it categorized as a sporting group which opposite to a bulldog (non-sporting group). Today, Golden Retrievers are the top 3 most popular dog breeds in America due to their cuteness, friendly, smart, and energetic temperament. They make a wonderful pet for the family especially with kids

Origin: United Kingdom

Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted

Height: 23-24 inches 

Weight: 65-75 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

2. German Shepherd

From its name “German Shepherd”, we already know that they originated from Germany. They were used as a hunting dog, herding in the old time. They also recognized by AKC in the herding group. It no surprise that the German shepherd is the second most popular dog breed in America and a smart dog breed among all others.

Normally, we will notice that German Shepherd often serves as a police dog, watchdog due to their confidence, courageous and smart makes them the perfect choice.

Origin: Germany

Temperament: Confident, Courageous, Smart

Height: 24-26 inches

Weight: 65-90 pounds

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

1. Labrador Retriever

Here come the Top 1 most popular dog breed in America according to American Kennel Club – Labrador Retriever. They originated from Newfoundland and categorized into a sporting group by AKC. Due to their active, friendly, and outgoing, they were used as herding and hunting dogs in the old time.

But now, they are always the number 1 choice for most of the family to choose as perfect pets to own.

Origin: Newfoundland

Temperament: Friendly, Active, Outgoing

Height: 22.5-24.5 inches

Weight: 65-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Which Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds In America you would prefer? Let me know and share your thought in the comment below!