And the results are in! Every year we dig into Rover’s database of over a million pet owners to uncover which dog and cat breeds are trending, including the most popular dog and cat breeds in Atlanta and across the country.
While some classic breeds are forever in style, others are just starting to find popularity as what we call trending breeds. These are dogs and cats that saw a boom in 2024, becoming the top trending breeds for their cities. Scroll down to learn if your pet’s breed is among them.
Atlanta’s favorites track close to national trends this year with 9 of the 10 most popular breeds making both the city and the nation’s rankings. With a median age of 33, Atlanta is one of the hottest spots in the nation for millennials. And this vibrant city’s top ten breeds reflect the diverse lifestyles of its residents whether they’re buying a first pad in midtown, or enjoying green space in the lush suburbs.
As you will see, when it comes to dogs, the most common breed is Mixed breeds. According to our nationwide survey, 45% of pet parents across the US say their dog is a mix of breeds, with 14% intentionally seeking a mixed breed dog or mutt.
But our data stretches beyond dogs. We’ve also crunched the numbers to learn what kinds of cats are the most popular, and which breeds are trending this year. We hope you enjoy reading about the breeds as much as we enjoyed studying them. As the world’s largest network of dog walkers and pet sitters, Rover has heard of just about every pet breed and crossbreed there is, but there is always something in here that manages to surprise us.
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Atlanta
Goldendoodle puppy – (FLICKR)
- Mixed
- Goldendoodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- French Bulldog
- Yorkshire Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Chihuahua
- German Shepherd
- Shih Tzu
Mixed breeds continue a dominant streak coming top of the table in Atlanta, closely heeled by the big-hearted Goldendoodle and their cousins, Labrador and Golden Retrievers. Also proving their popularity with both city and country were the smaller-sized French Bulldog (“Frenchies” to their fans), Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua and Shih Tzu. German Shepherds, meanwhile, still proved to have enduring appeal with Atlantans with their loyal and steady nature and beautiful appearance.
Trending Breeds in Atlanta
The Top 10 trending dog breeds
- Boxer
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Boykin Spaniel
- Miniature Schnauzer
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Shepherd
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Shiba Inu
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Yorkshire Terrier
Bigandt_Photography via iStock
We crunched the data of Rover’s thousands of Atlanta users to determine which breeds were most on the rise. Topping this year’s list is the fiercely sweet and loyal Boxer, known for their energy and smarts.
A wonderfully low-key counterpoint is the Bernese Mountain Dog. Calm, confident, and eager to please, this larger breed is just as happy keeping cool indoors during hot Atlanta summers as they are playing outside in the winter. These gentle giants are great for families with small children, especially when their herding instincts kick in while they try to keep smaller creatures close.
Speaking of shepherding, the Australian Shepherd is growing in popularity in Atlanta. Aussies, as they are known among pet parents who love this breed, are energetic and incredibly intelligent. Aussies thrive with families who can give them plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Pet parents who can keep their Aussies busy are rewarded with devotion and affection.
Rarest Dog Breeds in Atlanta
- Tennessee Treeing Brindle
- Smooth Collie
- Sealyham Terrier
- Portuguese Podengo
- Perro de Presa Mallorquin
iStock/Kurt Pas
These breeds were the least common among our database of pet owners in Atlanta. The most rare was the Tennessee Treeing Brindle. This strong and loyal hunting dog was developed from Cur dogs and is known to be supremely smart and fast with a very keen nose.
Rare hunting dogs seem to be the theme this year. The Portuguese Podengo made the list in 2024. This breed can have a smooth or wiry coat and comes in two different sizes, with each size tailored to a specific hunting role. The smaller dogs hunt rabbits, while their larger counterparts hunt deer and boar. Their keen senses and adaptability have made them valuable assets for generations of hunters.
America’s Most Popular Cat Breeds for 2024
Pet parents in Atlanta also loved cats this year! The following are the most popular cat breeds in the city and surrounding area.
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Bombay
- Bengal
- Siberian
Via Flickr/Preconscious Eye
Pet parent stats are from a Rover survey of 1,000 U.S. pet parents conducted in July, 2024, via Pollfish. Dog and cat breed data are based on analysis of millions of user-submitted dog breeds provided by pet parents on Rover.com.
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