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 Kansas City and across the US.
Though some classics are rarely out of favor, 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. Read on to see if your pet made the list.
In their taste for dogs, Kansas City has a true mix of national darlings and exciting left-field choices. Perhaps that’s unsurprising for this underrated city that spans two states –Kansas and Missouri– and offers a wide choice of lifestyles from an apartment in the Historic Jazz District to a comfortable family home in a good school district.
Across the US and in Kansas City, the most common breed is in fact Mixed breeds. According to our nationwide survey, 60% of pet owners across the country have a mixed breed dog , while one in five (19%) specifically sought out a mixed breed dog, or “mutt”.
But there are more results 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 big 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 sparks our imagination.
Kansas City’s Most Popular Dog Breeds
How common is your dog’s breed?
- Mixed
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- German Shepherd
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dachshund
- Mix Labrador Retriever
- Australian Shepherd
- Chihuahua
iStock/NORRIE3699
Kansas City is often ranked as one of the top places to live in the US with its mix of amenities like affordable housing, world-class food (barbecue anyone?), and top-flight sports teams. This popular midwestern spot also proved to be a good bellwether in 2024 for the country as a whole; all of Cowtown’s top five most popular breeds are included in the top five national rankings. It’s also clear that ‘bully breeds’ – not to be read as a reflection on the temperament of these playful and alert pups– like American Pit Bull Terriers are a local favorite, landing the sixth spot on the list. A few of the nation’s other –smaller– top choices also did well in the form of the cheerful Dachshund (or ‘sausage dog’) and feisty Chihuahua.
Kansas City Dog Breed Trends for 2024
Top 10 Trending Dog Breeds
- Basset Hound
- Doberman Pinscher
- Havanese
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- American Bully
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- English Bulldog
- American Pit Bull Terrier
Via Pixabay/buchsammy
Kansas City’s trending breeds are a real rollercoaster with some wildcard entries. We crunched the data of Rover’s thousands of users in the city to work out which breeds were most on the rise. As you might expect from a place where housing averages 2,000 sq ft, mid- to large breeds proved popular, including the powerful but gentle Doberman Pinscher and the sweet and loyal Bernese Mountain Dog.
Hailing from sixth century France, the year’s highest trending breed was the Basset Hound. Known for their soulful eyes and ears as long as their legs are short, Basset Hounds are one of the most recognizable breeds. Their sense of smell is said to be second only to the Bloodhound, which proud pet parents can attest to during daily walks. Basset Hounds are great apartment dogs, happy with a couple of walks every day and long naps afterwards.
A much larger breed clinched the second trending spot. The loving, loyal Doberman Pinscher is one of the most devoted breeds around. Doberman pet parents can attest that these pups are “velcro dogs” who want to stick close to their humans at all times. They are also super energetic and thrive with families who can give them plenty of regular exercise and playtime. Plus, they are perfectly suited for dog sports like dock diving. It’s no wonder this sweet and affectionate breed is trending in Kansas City.
Kansas City’s Rarest Dog Breeds
Is your dog one of these?
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Standard Schnauzer
- Small Munsterlander
- Samoyed
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
Photography by Adri via iStock
In our survey these breeds were least common among pet owners in Kansas City. The rarest is the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a dignified, devoted watchdog. Rhodesian Ridgebacks have muscular bodies that are built for endurance. Their most prominent feature is their trademark “ridge” of backward-growing hair down their backs. As athletic as they are affectionate, these pups require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to thrive.
One of the smaller entries across the board for Kansas City, the Standard Schnauzer is playful, peppy, and full of energy. They are known for their distinctive mustache and eyebrows over human-like eyes. Schnauzers are small enough to adapt to all homes and happiest with regular walks and mental stimulation.
America’s Most Popular Cat Breeds for 2024
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Bombay
- Bengal
- Siberian
ajr_images via iStock
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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