The wait is over! 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 Pittsburgh and across the USA.
While some breeds are forever popular with pet parents, others are just starting to ‘trend’, that is to spike in popularity. Can you guess which these might be for your city?
As you’ll discover, when it comes to dogs, the most common breed in both the US overall and Pittsburgh this year is Mixed. In fact, our survey data showed that an incredible 60 percent of pet owners in the US have mixed breeds. But in keeping with a place famed for a vibrant mix of culture, sports and nature, the City of Bridges still has some interesting trends up its sleeve.
And the fun doesn’t stop with dogs! We’ve also crunched the numbers for cats to see which kinds are the most widespread, 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 learn something from these listings! Let’s take a closer look.
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Pittsburgh
- Mixed
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- German Shepherd
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- Bernedoodle
- French Bulldog
iva_summer via iStock
In keeping with the national trend, the most popular breed overall in Pittsburgh is a Mixed breed. We also found a strong showing of tried and true gun dogs, the Golden and Labrador Retrievers — both renowned as loving and intelligent family dogs. The Steel City has also embraced active dogs like the companionable German Shepherd and the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Also on the list this year is the increasingly more popular Dachshund. Dachshunds are one of the most recognizable breeds, known for their long bodies and short legs. Their name comes from the German words for badger (dachs) and dog (hund), but you might know them as doxies, sausage dogs, or wiener dogs. These pups are clever, lively, courageous, and wildly entertaining.
Trending Breeds in Pittsburgh
The top 10 trending breeds
- Pomeranian
- Maltese
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Boxer
- American Bully
- Chihuahua
- Bichon Frise
- Bernedoodle
Instagram: @howardidaho
The top trending breed in Pittsburgh this year is the Pomeranian. This breed owes a great deal to England’s Queen Victoria, who fell in love with these vivacious pups while visiting Florence, Italy in the 1800s. In the years since, the breed’s abundant coats, cheeky faces and easy intelligence have only cemented their popularity – particularly in Pittsburgh where they ranked number-one trending this year.
Small dogs continue to trend in Pittsburgh with the Maltese coming in at second place. This tiny toy pup weighs in at under seven pounds and is easily recognizable by its snow-white coat. The Maltese is playful, smart, sweet, and surprisingly brave enough to approach strange humans and animals alike.
The last small dog trending in Pittsburgh at number nine is the Bichon Frise. Weighing in between seven and 14 pounds, these pups are adorable with fluffy white coats and sparkly black eyes. What word would pet parents use to describe their Bichon Frise? Cheerful is the first word we hear, followed closely by affectionate. The Bichon Frise is happiest when they are with their humans, snuggling, playing, and just being together.
Rarest Dog Breeds in Pittsburgh
- Wirehaired Vizsla
- White Shepherd Dog
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Scotch Collie
According to our data, these breeds were least common among pet parents in Pittsburgh. With only a few hundred in North America, the Wirehaired Vizsla is indeed a rare breed. Originating in Hungary where they were bred by falconers, their dense, wiry coat distinguishes them from their close cousin (the smoother Vizsla) and gives them their distinctive, expressive eyebrows and beard. True softies around the house, the Wirehaired Vizsla are a perfect mix of lively and gentle with an upbeat personality that makes them a favorite with their fans. So long as they have their needs for exercise and stimulation met, they make ideal buddies for an active ‘Yinzers’ (as people from Pittsburgh are sometimes called).
Making an intriguing appearance on the city’s rarest list is the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Much like other terriers, they are a devoted, extroverted lot with just enough of a stubborn streak to keep you on your toes. Originally Irish, they get their name from the distinctive, wavy coat likened to the color of ripening wheat.
America’s Most Popular Cat Breeds for 2024
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Bombay
- Bengal
- Siberian
Siamese – iStock/Photographer and Illustrator
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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