America is a nation of dog-lovers. For proof of our fanaticism, look no further than the scores of posh grooming salons, dog-friendly restaurants, and canine bakeries cropping up in cities across the country. There’s no denying it: our dogs are family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. To celebrate, we put together a list of the most popular puppy breeds, according to the Rover database of over one million pets.
It should come as no surprise, then, that when the COVID-19 pandemic upended life as we knew it, we turned to our canine companions for the antidote. To fill the social void created by strict lockdown orders, animal-loving folks have been welcoming dogs into their homes in record numbers. These so-called “pandemic puppies” have not disappointed, imparting a sense of joy and optimism to what has been an otherwise trying time.
So which puppy breeds have people been favoring in 2021? And how are today’s new puppy owners faring in the midst of a global pandemic? To get to the bottom of things, we spoke with several individuals who have recently adopted one of the popular breeds on our list. Read on to discover how these new dog owners are finding puppy parenthood so far in 2021.
iStock via Ralph Hason
The Pandemic Puppy Phenomenon
For many new pet parents, the decision to adopt a puppy during a global pandemic boiled down to one key thing: time. With doors shuttered and events canceled, time became the one commodity most of us had in abundance (unlike toilet paper and hand sanitizer).
For some, this extra time translated into new hobbies, like learning the banjo or mastering the art of bread-making. For others, time was the catalyst that finally made puppy parenthood feasible.
Julie—proud new owner of a Golden Retriever puppy—tells us that time was a major factor in her decision to bring a dog into her life.
“With both my husband and me working from home for the foreseeable future, this winter seemed like a great time to train a puppy and acclimate her to our home,” she says.
New Dachshund owner, Rebecca, echoes this sentiment, explaining that “getting a dog someday was always the plan, but it’s difficult when your job doesn’t offer the flexibility to provide a puppy with the 24/7 attention and care they need. The lockdowns and working from home gave us that opportunity.”
Of course, even with all the time in the world, raising a puppy is not without its share of challenges. In this period of social distancing, new puppy owners have struggled with one recurring challenge: properly socializing their pups.
“Socializing Ruthie with other dogs and kids has been challenging throughout the pandemic,” Julie explains. “Even though we’ve taken her to puppy playtime and she’s gotten along great with other dogs there, she still barks quite a lot when we meet others on our walks.”
What’s a pandemic puppy owner to do?
For new Goldendoodle owner, Makara, part of the solution involved hiring a dog walker. “We hired a Rover dog walker three days a week so our puppy could get used to other dogs and a new person taking care of her,” she says. Makara also makes a point of socializing her pup whenever possible: “Now that she is fully vaccinated (and so are we), we definitely go out of our way to find ways she can socialize.”
Julie is equally optimistic about socializing her new Golden. “With the weather heating up and more people getting outside, we’re hopeful that we can be more deliberate about introducing Ruthie to different animals, people, and even vehicles on her leash.” She admits that even on the toughest days, she loves how charming and joyful her Golden Retriever is.
“Even when our puppy is getting into mischief, she somehow seems so happy and it ends up putting a smile on our faces,” she says.
via Julie
What Are the Most Popular Puppy Breeds of 2021?
So, which puppy breeds have made a splash during the pandemic? As it turns out, the puppies that people are scooping up in droves aren’t confined to one breed—claiming the number one spot on our list are mixed breed puppies. Available in an endless variety of mixes, sizes, colors, and temperaments, mixed breeds often enjoy better health and longevity than their purebred comrades.
Following close behind are perennial favorites, Labrador and Golden Retrievers. Also on the up and up are “Doodle” breeds, or Poodle hybrids, which boast low-shedding coats and charming personalities.
If you have your sights set on a new puppy, one of these trending breeds could be your perfect match. Did your favorite breed make the cut?
The 20 Most Popular Puppy Breeds of 2021
- Mixed Breeds
- Labrador Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Australian Shepherd
- French Bulldog
- Siberian Husky
- Labradoodle
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dachshund
- Bernedoodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Chihuahua
- Boxer
- Miniature Australian Shepherd
- Great Dane
- Shih Tzu
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Poodle
Oodles and Oodles of Doodles
In the last year, we’ve seen an influx of Doodles in homes nationwide—and it’s not hard to see why. As a cross between a Poodle and another breed, Doodles inherit desirable traits from not one, but two fabulous breeds—making them climb the ranks of the most popular puppy breeds.
Goldendoodles, according to a Rover report, have been climbing the ranks of pet popularity this year. In fact, 2021 is the first year we’ve seen this designer breed claim a spot among the top five most popular breeds in the country. In just a year’s time, Goldendoodles have ascended five rungs up the popularity ladder, making an impressive leap from #9 in mid-2020 to #4 in 2021.
Why the sudden surge in popularity? New Goldendoodle owner, Makara, credits the breed’s desirable size and low-shedding coat with influencing her decision to bring one home.
And it’s not just Goldendoodles that are winning hearts—Doodle breeds as a whole are enjoying their moment in the sun. Drawing from our massive database of pets on Rover, we can see that trend quite clearly in a Rover report. Before 2017, our community looked a little different, with Doodles accounting for only 1 out of every 20 pets added to Rover. Remarkably, that number has more than doubled in 2021. To put those numbers into sharper perspective: of all the dogs added to Rover’s database since the beginning of 2021, a whopping 10% are classified as a type of Doodle.
via Makara
Are You Ready for a Pandemic Puppy of Your Own?
If you’re smitten with one of the most popular breeds (or any breed for that matter), adding a canine pal to your home may sound like a no-brainer. But is it really the best decision for you and your family?
As anyone who’s raised a puppy can tell you—it’s not a task for the faint of heart. There are accidents to clean, needle-like teeth to contend with, and late-night howling sessions to endure. Yes, puppies are incredible. But they’re also a ton of work. And it’s important to understand that fact from the start.
With a recently adopted Chocolate Lab at home, puppy owner Pranav Shah tells us it’s been quite the adjustment for his family. “We’re still getting used to it. We had forgotten the perils of puppy training and are still dealing with 3 a.m. potty wakeup calls.”
Makara agrees, telling us that “things were much harder than we anticipated, or remembered. The puppy stage is so fun, but it’s also very challenging. We’d forgotten just how much time and consistency everything takes. It’s well worth it, but something to really learn about before jumping in.”
Nevertheless, most people find the joys of raising a puppy far outweigh the negatives. “There are definitely some challenging points, particularly involving a lack of sleep and sharp puppy teeth,” says Rebecca of her new Dachshund, Perdie. “But the joy our Perdie brings us is amazing, and seeing her grow into a happy little dog is so rewarding.”
After the rollercoaster ride of 2020, that joy is something we can all appreciate. Our dogs make us laugh, they offer comfort, and they give us reason to approach the future with hope. As Lab owner Pranav puts it, “Looking ahead, raising a puppy is also a nice way for us to continue to grow our family as we put the pandemic behind us.” Truly, our dog-loving selves couldn’t have said it better.
Further Reading
Learn More About the Most Popular Dog Breeds
Post-Adoption Resources for New Pet Parents
