Do you love knowing more about the dog population near to where you live? Good, us too! That’s why 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 San Francisco and across the country.
While some breeds are perennially popular in the city by the bay, others are just starting to climb the ranks as what we call trending breeds. These are dogs and cats that rose quickly in popularity in 2024, becoming the top trending breeds for their cities. Can you guess what they might be?
As you will see, when it comes to dogs, the most common breed is in fact Mixed breeds. According to our nationwide survey, 60% of pet owners across the US have a mixed breed dog , while one in five (19%) specifically sought out a mixed breed dog, or “mutt”.
We also notice that three of the top 10 most popular dogs in San Francisco are ‘doodles’ or poodle crosses. In recent years, poodle crosses of all kinds have skyrocketed in popularity in part because of their coats, which have less tendency to shed than other breeds. As such, certain ‘doodles’ have come to be accepted as established breeds in their own right. Interestingly in this tech-forward city, it is the hybrid ‘designer dogs’ that are already firmly established as popular breeds, while the ‘trending’ list is made up of more seemingly classic dogs! See if you agree with us as you read on.
We haven’t forgotten about cats either! We have also done a deep-dive to find out which cat breeds are most popular with our users, and we learned more about some amazing breeds along the 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. Let’s take a look!
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in San Francisco
- Mixed
- Golden Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- Chihuahua
- French Bulldog
- Labradoodle
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Bernedoodle
- Dachshund
Goldendoodle (FLICKR)
In this high-tech city, designer hybrid breeds are already well established among the most popular kinds of dog. Right near the top we see the Goldendoodle and the Golden Retriever. The poodle cross, Goldendoodle is much loved for its friendly, outgoing personality and intelligence, as well as its adorable face – though their appearance can vary quite widely. They don’t even have to be golden, they could also take the color of different poodle parents.
According to Rover experts, though doodles are often described as allergy-friendly or even hypoallergenic, “the truth is, most allergies are caused by dander (dead skin cells shed alongside fur) more than the dog’s coat. Some people with mild allergies may react less severely to these dogs because they shed less, but there’s no guarantee that a Goldendoodle will be hypoallergenic.”
Trending Breeds in San Francisco
The top 10 trending breeds
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)
- Miniature Poodle
- Toy Poodle
- Miniature Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- Boxer
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
via flickr
Trending breeds are not necessarily new breeds, least of all in SF! At the top we have the well-established German Shorthaired Pointer and the Belgian Malinois.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a stunning breed, often described as noble and aristocratic. They are as brilliant as they are sweet and loving, making them a fantastic family dog. If you are looking for a couch potato pup, look elsewhere! German Shorthaired Pointers are tireless, always up for an athletic adventure. From swimming and running to competing in dog sports like dock diving and Flyball, this breed thrives with physical and mental stimulation. Think agility training, puzzle feeders, and hours of exercise every week. A fun challenge for San Franciscan pet parents: see how many hills you can run up with your pup before they tire out. (Hint: the limit does not exist.)
The second most trending breed in San Francisco is the Belgian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Malinois. Like German Shepherds, the Belgian Malinois is highly trainable, super active, and incredibly intelligent, originally bred to herd livestock. This graceful breed is strong and muscular. If you’re interested in the Belgian Malinois, keep in mind they thrive best with physical and mental stimulation. The Belgian Malinois was bred to work and that work ethic runs strong in their blood to this day. Keep them busy and you will be rewarded with love and loyalty.
Also appearing on this year’s list is the intrepid Boxer. Equal parts silly and protective, the Boxer has become a popular and beloved part of many families. These pups have an excellent work ethic and are often employed as therapy dogs and as part of search-and-rescue teams. Boxers exude tons of energy, so having a space to exercise their mind and body is essential.
Rarest Dog Breeds in San Francisco
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Skye Terrier
- Silken Windhound
- Schipperke
Among the diverse breeds that make up our list of the rarest dogs in SF, we see the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. These sporting dogs are known for their bristly coats and determined work ethic. Originally bred back in the 1800s to be land and water-hunting dogs, they still love to run and swim (and even have webbed toes to prove it). If you’re looking for a friendly dog that is outgoing and super smart, look no further than the rarest put in San Francisco.
Rounding out the list this year is the Schipperke. Pronounced SKIP-er-kee, Schipperke means “little shepherd” in their home country of Belgium. This small pup is mischievous and needs plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
America’s Most Popular Cat Breeds for 2024
- Domestic Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Domestic Longhair
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Bombay
- Bengal
- Siberian
slowmotiongli 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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