Do you love dogs that are tiny and mighty or big and goofy? We all have our favorite kinds of dogs—from unique mixed breeds to posh purebreds—but what’s most popular is another story.
The majority (60%) of today’s pet parents have a mixed breed dog, while 40% have a purebred, according to a recent Rover survey. Which type of dog is best depends on who you ask, with 22% of pet parents seeking out a specific breed and 19% intentionally choosing a mixed breed.
One thing we can all agree on is the joy that dogs bring into our lives. While more than half (58%) of pet parents agree that breed is essential when adding a new dog to the family, eight out of ten (81%) would still get a dog even if their top three breed choices were unavailable.
Breed type aside, when it comes to personality, one-third (33%) of pet parents agree that a family-friendly disposition is the most crucial factor when choosing a dog. It’s no surprise then that the most sought-after personality traits in a dog are friendly and social (24%), cuddly (15%), and loyal (15%).
To learn more, we dug into the millions of pets in Rover’s database to see who’s top dog nationwide and uncover popular, rare, and trending breeds.
Dog Breed Popularity Across the Nation
Mixed
Labrador Retriever
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd
Chihuahua
Shih Tzu
French Bulldog
Ellie and Gus, the French Bulldogs
“Ellie and Gus are inseparable and have caused me to fall in love with French Bulldogs as a breed! Though they are from different breeders and parts of the country, they have developed a bond and love for each other that is unbreakable. Gus seems to act like he is 10 but is only 2 with his stoic nature and observant approach to life, and on the other end of the spectrum, you have Ellie, a complete love bug always looking for a cuddle or to wrestle. Together they are a hysterical pair that always keeps me laughing, loving, and remembering to not take life so seriously!”
— Austin, Dog Parent on Rover, Austin TX
Discover Trending Breeds in Your City
The Top Trending Dog Breeds in 2023
Toy Poodle
Dolly the Bernedoodle
“Dolly is our first dog together, and we feel like we couldn’t have asked for a better first pet. I grew up with Golden Retrievers and thought a Bernedoodle might have similar traits, such as loving to play fetch, but Dolly couldn’t be less bothered to play fetch! She loves to run around, spend time with her people and go on car rides. One thing to know about Bernedoodles is they require a lot of grooming and would probably do best in a cooler location during the summer months. Dolly loves to sleep belly up next to the fan in the summer, even here in Michigan!”
— Brooke and Silas, Dog Parents on Rover, Ann Arbor MI
The Top Four Rarest Dog Breeds in the US
Saluki
Portuguese Podengo
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael)
Gigi and Karma the Salukis
“Gigi and Karma were found together on the streets of Doha in Qatar. They are the sweetest girls and the best breed. They snooze all the time and are so gentle. Gigi is aloof, which is common for the breed, but Karma loves demanding all of the attention. They rarely bark and are excellent with children of all ages. They are sight hounds, so get very excited when they see a cat or squirrel! They are happy in small homes as long as they have a soft place to snooze and are taken for lots of walks.”
— Matthew, Dog Parent on Rover, Los Angeles CA
Top Trending Dog Breeds by Country
While some breeds are perennially popular, others are just starting to make their mark as trending breeds. These dogs rose quickly in popularity in 2023, becoming the top trending breed in their countries.
In the US, the Bernedoodle is the top trending breed. These lovable pups are a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Standard Poodle. In Canada, the adorable and feisty Pomeranian takes the top spot for trending breeds.
In the UK, the Lurcher is rising in popularity. While not a defined breed, these dogs are usually a cross between a sighthound (such as a Greyhound) and a herding dog or terrier.
New to our ranking and as a dog breed, the Continental Bulldog (or Conti) is trending in France. These pups originated in Switzerland in 2005 and became officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (also known as the FCI or International Canine Federation in English) in 2022.
In Spain, posh Toy Poodles are becoming more popular, while in Germany, the cute yet confident Pomeranians are rising in the ranks. In keeping with the toy trend, Yorkshire Terriers are gaining popularity in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, in Italy, tenacious Staffordshire Bull Terriers are all the rage.
And last but not least, Scandinavia seems to have a case of Doodle fever: In Sweden, Labradoodles are trending, while in nearby Norway, they’re all about the Goldendoodle.
Doodles Make Their Mark
One breed that’s seen a significant rise in popularity over the past decade is the Doodle—this curly-haired cross-breed has more than doubled in Rover’s database, growing from 5% of all dogs on Rover in 2013 to 12% in 2023. That’s what we call oodles of Doodles!
Coby the Miniature Poodle
“Why I love this breed? Simple. Small dog, Big City, Beauty and Brains. Coby is a great dog to have living in an NYC apartment as he doesn’t require too much space to have loads of fun, and he meets the size requirement for most NYC apartments. While very energetic, Mini Poodles are also easygoing and will nap all day with you on a rainy day. Seldom does he step out and not get compliments on how handsome he is and his beautiful chocolate coat. He’s got the brains to back the beauty. Mini Poodles are highly intelligent and easy to train, and Coby has proven as much.”
— Christina, Dog Parent on Rover, New York City NY
Popular Dog Breeds by Pet Parent Generation
Dog breed popularity doesn’t just vary by city or region—it’s also influenced by age. While the most popular kind of dog for people of all generations is the mixed breed, the pups in the number two spot vary considerably for each age cohort.
For baby boomers, it’s all about the friendly and outgoing Labrador Retriever. Next up is Gen X, whose favorite breed is the sweet yet sassy Chihuahua. For millennials, the top dog breed is the confident and intelligent German Shepherd. And for Gen Z, it’s the sweet-tempered and devoted Golden Retriever.
Hollywood (Holly), the Mixed Breed
“Hollywood (Shepherd Hound Mix) is one of the friendliest, most adventurous dogs you’ll ever meet. She’s curious about every passerby, and she especially loves kids. While she is a city dog and frequents the dog parks making more furry friends, she also is an outdoor dog and loves chasing deer and wild turkeys when she is allowed to roam free on acres of land in Wisconsin. She loves the water and can be found anywhere from the dog park pool to swimming after ducks in a lake.”
— Carmen, Dog Parent on Rover, Chicago IL
Meet More Trending and Popular Dog Breeds on Rover
Bowie, Miniature Poodle, New York City, NY
Penny, King Charles Cavalier, Charlotte, NC
Niko, Toy Poodle, Nashville, TN
Pickwick, Miniature Poodle, Brooklyn, NY
Nova, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Portland, OR
Duke, King Charlies Cavalier, Charlotte, NC
Izzy, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Portland, OR
Doms, French Bulldog, Austin, TX
Darla and Dexxter, Boston Terrier, Charleston, SC
Watch: Get to Know Your Favorite Breeds on YouTube
Learn More About Popular Breeds
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