The list you’ve all been waiting for! 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 Chicago and across the US.
While some classic choices are never out of style, others are just starting to find popularity as what we call trending breeds. These are dogs and cats that saw a boom in 2023, becoming the top trending breeds for their cities. Could your pet’s breed be among them?
When it comes to dogs, the Windy City results often reflect wider trends in the US, including at the top of the table where mixed breeds are the most popular dog breed overall. In a city famed for its diverse architecture, it’s no surprise that the rest of the top 10 most popular dog breeds are a true mix featuring everything from larger bungalow-ready breeds to companions fit for a courtyard walk-up.
But there’s more data to dive into than just dogs. We’ve also crunched the numbers to learn what kinds of cats are the most common, and which breeds are also having their trending moment. We hope you find the deep-dive as fascinating as we do! 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 these results that manages to surprise us.
Chicago’s Most Popular Dog Breeds
How common is your dog’s breed?
Mixed
Goldendoodle
Labrador Retriever
Golden Retriever
Dachshund
French Bulldog
German Shepherd
Yorkshire Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
Chihuahua
As the third most populous city in the US, Chicago brings together a real cross-section of the country in its culture, industries and, as it turns out, choice of pet! In fact, of the top 10 breeds in the city all but one also feature on the national rankings. Across both lists, Mixed breeds held the top spot, chased down in Chicago by Goldendoodle, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever in second, third and fourth. All three also feature in the top four nationally, with only a minor tweak to push Labradors into second place. On the smaller end of the spectrum, city-sized favorites also make a strong showing in Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers while the French Bulldog (or “Frenchies” to their fans) proves that the breed’s meteoric rise in popularity is captivating Chicagoans.
Chicago Dog Breed Trends for 2023
Top 10 Trending Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier
Alaskan Husky
Great Pyrenees
Rottweiler
Puggle
Pomeranian
English Springer Spaniel
Toy Poodle
American Staffordshire Terrier
Dachshund
The future is looking equally varied for Chicago with an exciting showing in the city’s top trending breeds. We crunched the data of Rover’s thousands of users in Chicago to work out which breeds were most on the rise. As you’d expect in an urban center, smaller breeds with a sociable attitude are a popular choice including the fun-loving Puggle, highly trainable Toy Poodle, and Queen Victoria’s own favorite Pomeranian.
The brutal midwestern winters are also likely to meet their match in the rising popularity of several working dogs like the hardy and majestic Great Pyrenees (used to tending livestock in the namesake Pyrenees region of France), and the snow-loving Alaskan Husky (who needs no introduction!).
Considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds (references date back to Roman times), the Rottweiler is another hardworking choice on this list. One of the larger entries, these dogs originated in Germany where they were known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund or ‘Rottweil Butcher Dogs’ because of their role in pulling carts of meat to market. Since then, the Rottweiler’s calm, confident and courageous nature have made them perennial favorites for high-pressure environments, including the police and search and rescue.
It’s clear that Toto isn’t just in Kansas anymore as Cairn Terriers claim the title of number-one trending breed in Chicago this year. The game and happy Scottish terrier is a devoted companion with a mischievous glint. Although once prized for their hunting prowess, nowadays Cairn Terriers tend to turn their energy to being an active member of the household with a keen sense for always finding the action.
Chicago’s Rarest Dog Breeds
Is your dog one of these?
Dogue de Bordeaux
Canaan Dog
Russian Toy
Galgo Español
English Coonhound
Field Spaniel
Beagle-Harrier
English Shepherd
Keeshond
In our survey, these breeds were least common among pet owners in Chicago. The rarest is the keen-nosed, gentle Bloodhound. Making an appearance on several of this year’s ‘rarest’ lists in the US, these dignified dogs are famous for their ability to track scents over long distances — and even days after the original target had passed through. While their peerless scenting skills mean they are still widely in demand with search units, they are equally treasured by owners for their affectionate and easygoing manner.
Only recently revived, the Russian Toy is one of the more unexpected entries on the list. Barely known outside of Russia until the 1990s, these dogs were once so rare that they were almost wiped out twice; first in the 1920s for their traditional connection to aristocracy and again when the fall of the Iron Curtain led to an influx of other breeds. These diminutive dogs are one of the smallest breeds in the world, measuring between 20 and 28cm. But don’t underestimate them – despite their height they are known for a keen intelligence and desire to please.
Chicago’s Most Popular Cat Breeds
Does your cat’s breed feature?
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
Chicago Cat Breed Trends for 2023
- Brazilian Shorthair
- Ragamuffin
- Cornish Rex
- Snowshoe
- British Longhair
There are some equally varied cat breed trends on display this year. Reaching the top of the trending list in Chicago is the Brazilian Shorthair. These beautiful felines are descended from Brazilian street cats after originally landing in the country around 1500 on the ships of Portuguese sailors. Those adventurous beginnings continue to shape these playful and outgoing cats whose love of exploration and activity make them a perfect fit for a family.
We can also see a trend for several American breeds including the rare Snowshoe – a striking descendent of Siamese cats whose distinctive markings are difficult to recreate – and the affectionate Ragamuffin — named for the lovable, feral cats from which they originally descended.
Also on the list is the Cornish Rex. Unlike most cats that have three layers of fur, this unforgettable breed has no outer hair, only a curly, down undercoat. The result of a mutation in the 1950s in Cornwall, they are known for a lifelong kittenish demeanor and are often described as the ‘greyhound of the cat world’ for their boundless energy.
America’s Rarest Cat Breeds
The Least Common Breeds in the nation as a whole
- Havana Brown
- Khao Manee
- Foreign White
- Arabian Mau
- Pixiebob
Across the US, the rarest cat was the Havana Brown, which was bred in the 1950s by a group of cat fanciers who called themselves “The Havana Group” (later “The Chestnut Brown Group”). The product of crossing Siamese and black cats, Havana Browns are an intelligent breed known to use their paws to examine objects and communicate with their devoted owners.
Get to Know the Breeds
Learn more about Labrador Retriever
Learn more about the Golden Retriever
Learn more about the Goldendoodle
How To Tell What Breed A Cat Is
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