Pass the envelope, please! 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 Portland and across the country.
While some breeds are mainstays, others are quickly climbing the rankings as what we call trending breeds. These are dogs and cats that rose in popularity in 2024, becoming the top trending breed for their cities. Could your pet’s breed be on that list?
Famed for a quirky, foodie-forward culture and with easy access to both the ocean and the mountains, the largest city in Oregon isn’t just a magnet for Portlandia fans. Across both trending and most popular breeds in Portland you’ll find the city’s bold spirit reflected in pets with a lot of heart and bags of personality.
Across the US and Portland, the most common breed is in fact Mixed breeds. According to our nationwide survey, 45% of pet parents say their dog is a mix of breeds, with 14% intentionally seeking a mixed breed dog. On the flip side, 19% of pet parents intentionally sought out a specific breed, while 22% say it just worked out that way.
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 we weren’t expecting. So let’s dive in!
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Portland
- Mixed
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Chihuahua
- Goldendoodle
- Labradoodle
- German Shepherd
- Australian Shepherd
- Dachshund
- French Bulldog
Anna_Belova via iStock
With 30 miles of urban trails and a flower garden so captivating that one of the city’s many monikers is ‘City of Roses’, you won’t be surprised to learn that many of Portland’s most popular breeds this year are energetic. The most popular breed in Portland, and in the US overall, was Mixed closely followed by all-star favorites Labrador and Golden Retrievers and their respective Poodle crosses.
And these aren’t the only breeds well-picked for a city of cycling-lovers (there are over 350 trails to pedal); with their natural athleticism and eagerness to please German Shepherds are likely to keep up with even the most hill-seasoned cyclist, while the extremely energetic and easygoing Australian Shepherd is built all-terrain ready.
When adding a new dog to the family, 62% of pet parents say breed was an important factor.
Of course, this list has notable exceptions in the tiny forms of the Dachshund and Chihuahua. While they may not be trail-ready, they are ideal city companions for enjoying everything Portland offers. These small but mighty pups can win over anyone with their heaps of charm.
Trending Breeds in Portland
The top 10 trending breeds
- Alaskan Husky
- Bichon Frise
- Pomeranian
- Miniature Poodle
- English Springer Spaniel
- Havanese
- Great Dane
- German Shepherd
- Puggle
- Australian Shepherd
Figure8Photos via iStock
We crunched the data of Rover’s thousands of users in Portland to work out which breeds were most on the rise. Portland is a creative place known for standing out, and not just in any one way. This city of neighborhoods is made up of several quadrants that showcase their diverse communities – and a local will tell you that you don’t know the city until you’ve seen them all! This penchant for showing your true colors is well-reflected in the city’s trending breeds that range from majestic (Alaskan Husky and Great Dane to tiny (Bichon Frise and Pomeranian).
The Alaskan Husky is the most trending dog in Portland this year. Though not technically a breed but a dog type, these medium-sized sledders are quite literally made to be outdoors whatever the weather, and are always keen to unleash their full enthusiasm whether going for a run or getting lost on a long hike.
On the opposite end of the size spectrum is the Bichon Frise, the second most trending dog in Portland. Weighing in between seven and 14 pounds, this breed has been described as living stuffed animals with fluffy white coats and sparkling, expressive black eyes. Pet parents of this breed describe these pups as cheerful and affectionate. These small dogs make great companions for apartment dwellers, especially those who work from home, as the Bichon Frise is happiest when they are with their humans.
Finally, a dog as giant as it is sweet is trending in Portland. The Great Dane can weigh a whopping 100 to 200 pounds and towers over most other breeds. The quintessential gentle giant, the Great Dane is known for its sweet disposition and calm demeanor. This gargantuan beast is best suited for a home with room to move and humans who can provide long, easy walks every day.
Rarest Dog Breeds in Portland
- Wire Fox Terrier
- Tibetan Terrier
- Silky Terrier
- Silken Windhound
- Saluki
Saluki via iStock/Capuski
In our survey, these breeds were least common among pet owners in Portland. The rarest was the Wire Fox Terrier, which originated in the early 19th century in Britain as a hunting dog.
The Salukis is new to the list this year. With slim, elegant bodies and warm, oval-shaped eyes, it’s really no wonder that the beauty of Salukis has been praised for thousands of years. This regal breed is a favorite of kings. While dignified, it is essential to exercise your Salukis daily and offer plenty of mental stimulation, or else you risk destructive behavior born of boredom.
Devon Rex Kitten – CasarsaGuru via 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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