Rover Announces America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020
Second Annual Report Reveals Top Drivers in Choosing Breed are Family-Friendliness, Affection and Personality, as Dog Adoption Rates Increase Since the Start of Covid-19 Pandemic
SEATTLE, WA – June 24, 2020 – Rover.com®, the world’s largest and most trusted network of five-star pet sitters and dog walkers, today released “America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020,” its second-annual report ranking the top 20 most popular dog breeds across the country within 40 major U.S. cities. The top three dog breeds of 2020 are mixed breed, Labrador Retriever, and Chihuahua.
Rover surveyed pet parents to examine how they picked the right breed or mixed breed for their family. This year’s breed preferences uniquely reflect the changing world around us: dog adoption rates have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and nearly one-third of respondents said they adopted a dog while coronavirus social distancing measures have been in effect. While some of those pet parents were already planning to adopt a pet, many shared that they chose to adopt because they needed a companion during these tough times or wanted to capitalize on the extra time they had to train a new dog during stay-at-home orders.
“Pet parents treat their dogs like family, and many are feeling the benefits of that companionship now more than ever,” said pet trends expert, Kate Jaffe. “When it comes to adopting a pet, we’re looking for that perfect match: a dog that’ll fit our living situation, lifestyle, and budget. Luckily, there’s a dog out there to fit every dog person’s preferences and needs.”
The unique bonds between people and their dogs run deep – in fact, nearly one-third of respondents said their dog chose them, while a quarter looked for certain personality traits within their dog, and others said they chose their dog based on ‘cute factor’ and the breed’s energy level. Pet parents said the most important thing to them in choosing their dog was cohesiveness with their family. In fact, when asked what they love most about their dogs, respondents said their favorite traits were how much their dog loves them and their family, how big of a personality their dog has, and how much their dog adores eating.
Rover’s report also revealed how passionate many pet parents are about owning a dog. Three-quarters said they have always had dogs in their household, and of those people, 76% have had different breeds. With such a long-standing love for dogs, it’s no surprise that nearly half (47%) traveled between one and four hours to get their new pup. A third of respondents even noted they own items that celebrate their dog’s breed.
America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020: Report Findings
Analyzing data from 1,000 pet parents, Rover ranked the 20 most popular dog breeds across the country. Rover then looked at 40 major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, to find the top five most popular dog breeds that outpaced their national rank in each of those cities.
Respondents said that the number one reason that drove their decision to choose their dog’s breed was that they wanted a dog that would be great with their family and other pets and humans. The top breeds of 2020 fit pet parents’ desire to find a companion who would add love and affection to their daily lives.
Top 20: America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020
- Mixed breed
- Labrador Retriever
- Chihuahua
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Dachshund
- Goldendoodle
- Boxer
- Poodle
- Beagle
- Australian Shepherd
- Siberian Husky
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Maltese
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Labradoodle
- Border Collie
To view the full report on popular dog breeds, please visit https://www.rover.com/blog/americas-most-popular-dog-breeds/
About the Report:
Rover data from April 2020 includes the top 20 list of the most popular dog breeds across the U.S. as well as the top 5 most popular breeds in 40 U.S. cities where the dog breeds outpaced the national rank in popularity within each city. Rover also conducted an additional survey via PollFish in April 2020 of 1,000 U.S.-based pet parents.
About Rover.com:
Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Rover.com® is the world’s largest and most trusted network of five-star pet sitters and dog walkers. Rover connects dog and cat owners with pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, doggy day care, and grooming in select markets.
As The Dog People™, Rover makes it easier for people to have pet love in their lives through the Rover Guarantee, 24/7 support, vet consultations, and GPS walk tracking. And by sharing expertise on TheDogPeople.com, a trusted resource for millions of dog and cat parents worldwide, Rover provides tips and articles that delight, inform, and enhance the bond between people and their pets. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com.
Contact: PR@rover.com