The results you’ve 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 Indianapolis and across the country.
While some breeds are constant companions across the country, 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. Will you find your pet’s breed on the list?
When it comes to our dogs, the most popular choice across the US holds true in Indianapolis as Mixed breeds take the top spot. As a four-season city known for the big-small town atmosphere and a thriving downtown it’s no wonder the rest of Indy’s top 10 most popular dogs reflect a taste for both vibrant city life and packing up the car for a day at Hoosier National Forest.
And we didn’t just stop with dogs. We’ve also crunched the numbers for cats to see which kinds are the most common, and which breeds are becoming more popular. We hope you find the deep-dive as interesting 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 we always find some nugget to take away from these listings. Let’s see those results!
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Indianapolis
- Mixed
- Goldendoodle
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Labrador Retriever
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Dachshund
- Chihuahua
- Australian Shepherd
Ratchat via iStock
The midwest is known for its extremes in weather, but the changeable conditions are no deterrent to many of the city’s most popular breeds who thrive on getting out –whatever the mercury– alongside their intrepid Hoosier pet parents. Following a national trend, Indy’s most popular breed overall was a mix, closely followed by the unflappable Goldendoodle and Labrador Retrievers (both unsurprisingly in the top five in the US) and the game German Shepherd Dog.
Representing the more compact side of the spectrum are three small breeds with big personalities; Shih Tzus, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas.
Trending Breeds in Indianapolis
- Great Pyrenees
- Cocker Spaniel
- Bichon Frise
- Rottweiler
- Cockapoo
- Shih Tzu
- Border Collie
- Toy Poodle
- American Bully
- French Bulldog
Stock/alberto clemares expósito
The top trending breed in Indianapolis this year is the Great Pyrenees. These pups were bred to weather the rough conditions as they guarded sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. Known for being patient and mellow, the Great Pyrenees are good family dogs who enjoy regular exercise and mental stimulation. Although these dogs are fairly large, weighing in at up to 100 pounds or more, they can be happy in apartments with daily walks. Just be sure to brush those double coats weekly or you will have enough shedded fur to knit a wardrobe of sweaters.
On the opposite end of the size spectrum, the Bichon Frise is the third trending breed in Indy this year. These cheerful pups look like the cuddliest stuffed animals come to life with their fluffy white coats and sparkling black eyes. Their size makes them perfect for apartment-dwellers, especially pet parents who work from home, as the Bichon Frise hates to be left alone and is happiest being with their humans around the clock.
A fun addition to this list is the Shih Tzu, which hit number six in the trending breeds and is the seventh most popular breed in Indy. Shih Tzu means “lion dog” in Chinese and has a regal history of being favored among Chinese royalty. In recent history, they’ve gone from royal companions to happy lap dogs in families all across America. They’re playful and energetic, happy to go on daily walks, and enjoy plenty of playtime at home.
Rarest Dog Breeds in Indianapolis
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Russell Terrier
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Plott Hound
- Olde English Bulldogge
flickr/jkirkhart35
In our survey, these breeds were least common among our community in Indianapolis. The rarest is the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. These are hardworking sporting dogs known for their bristly coats. Bred in the 1800s to be land and water sporting dogs, these pups love swimming—and even have the webbed toes to prove it. They are outgoing, friendly, and super smart.
The Russell Terrier also made the list this year. Not to be confused with their close cousins, the Jack Russell Terrier, Russell Terriers were bred in England to be fox hunting dogs. These pups are super high energy, curious, and friendly. They’re also small, just 10-12 inches tall at the shoulder. They make great family dogs and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to thrive.
You might just recognize the Portuguese Water Dog from their stint in the White House where Bo and Sunny served as the First Dogs for the Obama family. Originally bred as a fisherman’s dog, the cão de água (literally ‘dog of water’) is eager to please and easy to train. As the name suggests, they will happily spend time splashing around – perfect for a city that straddles three rivers. But be warned: their excitable nature can also lead them to hop up on their back legs to ‘counter surf’ for food or attention from time to time!
Siberian – CasarsaGuru | iStock
America’s Most Popular Cat Breeds for 2024
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Bombay
- Bengal
- Siberian
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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