Humans have bred dogs for their skills, companionship, and looks for thousands of years, resulting in hundreds of recognized breeds around the world—and even more unofficial dog breeds and mixes. With this many breeds to choose from, there’s a pup for just about everyone.
And while every dog is unique, all those years of breeding can impart certain truths: Herding dogs love to herd, pointers love to point, and lap dogs, well, they often love to curl up on a nice lap. In turn, 67% of pet parents say breed is an important factor when adding a new dog to their families.
The majority (87%) of pet parents also agree that knowing more about their dog’s precise mix of breeds would help them understand their needs better, and 50% believe they’d feel more connected to their pet if they learned about their ancestry.
Every person may have their breed preferences, but only a few breeds are top dog when it comes to overall popularity. We dug into the millions of pets in Rover’s database and uncovered the most popular dog breeds of 2024—plus, trending and less common dog breeds that are on the rise too.
Dog Breed Popularity In Canada
Mixed
Labrador Retriever
Golden Retriever
Goldendoodle
German Shepherd Dog
French Bulldog
Shih Tzu
Cockapoo
The Top Trending Dog Breeds in 2024
Yorkshire Terrier
Toy Poodle
Bichon Frise
French Bulldog
Dachshund
Australian Shepherd
Havanese
Shih Tzu
The Top Four Rarest Dog Breeds in Canada
Old German Shepherd Dog
Akbash Dog
Norwegian Elkhound
Norfolk Terrier
Characteristic Canadian Kindness Extends to Pups
According to 74% of pet parents, friendliness and sociability are the most important characteristics a dog can have. (They don’t call ‘em man’s best friend for no reason!) Additionally, 63% of pet parents believe their dogs actually possess this trait.
According to a Rover survey, mixed breed dogs are the friendliest and most social followed by the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever.
Other characteristics pet parents value include loyalty (65% of pet parents agree), playfulness (61%), and being cuddly (58%).
Anxious Pet Parents, Anxious Pups
Like us, dogs are complex and can sometimes adopt challenging traits and behaviours. The #1 most common is separation anxiety, according to 36% of pet parents. Separation anxiety is also the second most likely trait to be shared by dogs and their humans (38%).
According to pet parents in a Rover survey, the breeds most likely to experience separation anxiety are mixed breeds (13%), German Shepherds (9%), Golden Retrievers (7%) and Shih Tzus (5%).
Other common behavioural challenges reported by pet parents include fear of loud noises (29%), stress at the vet (25%), guard dog behaviour (21%,) and possessiveness (19%).
The Traits We Share With Our Dogs
The majority (70%) of pet parents agree a person’s choice of dog breed is an extension of their own personality, and 84% believe that most dogs’ personalities are in fact influenced by their pet parents.
It’s not surprising then that 51% of pet parents say they and their dog act alike or share behavioural traits and interests. Of them, the most common shared traits are reportedly: loyalty (68%), playfulness (64%), friendliness (62%), and a mutual interest in cuddling (61%).
Nearly half (49%) of pet parents with socially anxious dogs share this behavioural trait. The same goes for those with separation anxiety (38%).
Other commonly shared traits among dogs and their people are fear or aggression toward strangers (34%), stress at the vet or doctor (28%), possessiveness (27%), and fear of loud noises (26%).
What’s the most human-like dog breed, you ask? When asked which dog breed has the most human-like qualities (looks, personality, behaviours, etc.), pet parents voted the Golden Retriever as number one. Coming in second is the German Shepherd, followed by the Labrador Retriever in third.
Top Trending Dog Breeds by Countries
While some breeds are perennially popular, others are just starting to make their mark as trending breeds. These dogs rose quickly in popularity in 2024, becoming the top trending breed in their countries.
In the US, the Miniature Poodle is the top trending breed. In Canada, the adorable and feisty Yorkshire Terrier takes the top spot for trending breeds.
In the UK, the Patterdale Terrier is rising in popularity and the active Miniature American Shepherd is trending in France.
In Spain, posh Toy Poodles are becoming more popular, while in Germany, the cute yet confident Pugs are rising in the ranks.
Watch: Get to Popular Dog Breeds on YouTube
Learn More About Breeds
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