And here we go! 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 Toronto and across Canada. While some breeds are dependably popular, 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 2023, becoming the top trending breeds for their cities. Find out if your pet’s breed is among them!
Following a bigger trend in North America, when it comes to dogs, Toronto’s most common breed is a mix, with crossbreeds topping the table in Canada for the most popular dog breed overall. The rest of the top 10 are a genteel lot –only too appropriate for the largest city in a country of famously polite people– but with a variety that reflects the different living styles in this dense but sprawling hub.
The discoveries don’t stop with dogs though. We’ve also crunched the numbers for cats to see which breeds are the most common, and which are up and coming. We hope you find the deep-dive as fascinating 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 there is always something in these results that surprises us too. Ready to dive in?
Toronto’s Most Popular Dog Breeds
How common is your dog’s breed?
Mixed
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Cockapoo
French Bulldog
Chihuahua
Shih Tzu
German Shepherd Dog
Pomeranian
As a city of almost 3 million people Toronto has a well-earned reputation as an exciting and multicultural melting-pot. With its vast footprint that offers everything from buzzing downtown apartments to quaint Victorian homes in a quiet suburb, it was no surprise to find that the city’s popular breeds are a snapshot of diverging tastes. In the number one spot both in Toronto and nationally was the Mixed breed, followed by the Goldendoodle and their close relatives the Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Jumping up from a national 9th place, the sweet-natured Cockapoo was another poodle cross to do well this year, followed by some reliably popular smaller breeds — the French Bulldogs (or Frenchies), Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus.
Toronto Dog Breed Trends for 2023
Top 10 Trending Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier
Shetland Sheepdog
Whippet
American Eskimo Dog
Pomeranian
Alaskan Husky
Havanese
Miniature Pinscher
Poodle
Shiba Inu
Tortonto’s choice of trending breeds is enticingly diverse; no surprise for a city where roughly half of the population was born somewhere else. We crunched the data of Rover’s thousands of users in the city to work out which breeds were most on the rise. The top trending breed this year was the West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as ‘Westie’. These rambunctious companions are true to their terrier roots, with a confident personality and deep love of play. Other smaller breeds were also on the up, as you’d expect in a major metropolis, varying from Queen Victoria’s favorite Pomeranian, to the cheerful Cuban Havanese and the clever Miniature Pinscher (or ‘Min Pin’ to their pals).
While winters aren’t as severe as some parts of Canada, Torontoians can still expect plenty of snow days during the city’s long colder season. Perhaps that explains the dominance of several hardy breeds on this year’s list. Originating on remote and rugged Scottish Isles, the second choice Shetland Sheepdog is no stranger to chilly winds coming off the water. Shelties are exceptionally intelligent and obedient herders with a strong resemblance to their larger cousin, the Rough Collie.
These affectionate dogs are very sensitive and will closely observe the mood of the household, ready to step in with a cuddle when needed. Luckily in a city that also has warmer summers, the Sheltie’s seasonal coat changes to help them regulate in the humidity — but owners are advised to stand by with fresh water and a fan, just in case.
Another nod to the northern climes, the misnamed American Eskimo Dog was in fact a German migrant that came to North America in the 1800s. Sporting a striking white ruff and with a natural flair for agility, ‘Eskies’ were mainstays of both ranches and vaudevillian troops, where they wowed audiences and cowboys alike with their obedience and stage-ready personalities. Anyone who’s walked around Lake Ontario in the colder months will have encountered a pet parent or two patiently standing beside a snowbank waiting for their delighted Alaskan Husky.
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.
Toronto’s Rarest Dog Breeds
Is your dog one of these?
Spanish Water Dog
Prazsky Krysarik
Indian Spitz
German Wirehaired Pointer
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Canary Mastiff
Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren)
American Mastiff
Wirehaired Vizsla
Plott Hound
These breeds were least common among our database of pet owners in Toronto. The most rare is the curly-haired Spanish Water Dog. These rustic charmers are deeply loyal and make great protectors but will need lots of mental and physical activity to use up their boundless reserves of energy.
A particularly rare breed, the Prazsky Krysarik or Prague Terrier is not often spotted outside of the Czech Republic and is considered to be the smallest breed in the world (their standard measures by height, while the Chihuahua standard measures by weight). As with many small dogs, these compact companions are extremely lively and active, thriving on spending time with their human families.
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 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.
Toronto’s Most Popular Cat Breeds
Does your cat’s breed feature?
Domestic Shorthair
American Shorthair
Domestic Longhair
Ragdoll
British Shorthair
Toronto Cat Breed Trends for 2023
Munchkin
Moggie
Neva Masquerade
Scottish Straight
Napoleon / Minuet
There are some truly unusual breeds in Toronto’s top trending cats this year. Sitting atop the list is the Munchkin (aka Sausage cat) that is characterized, like their doggy-Dachshund counterpart, by very short legs. Taking their name from the people of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this genetic trait means the Munchkin is less able to leap great distances than other cat types, but they remain playful and curious with a strong toy-hunting instinct.
The Napoleon / Minuet (landing in 5th) is actually a relation — the result of crossing Munchkins with Persian cats. With their endearingly round faces and low-slung bodies, Minuets are sweet, docile and good-natured, with the Munchkin sense of fun.
Mixed breeds aren’t only trending when it comes to dogs this year. Landing squarely in second place, Moggies are a mixed breed cat most commonly found in the UK, where they got their name. While set breeds may have certain personality traits, the Moggie has no set blueprint, but is generally an affectionate and easygoing addition to any home.
Toronto’s Rarest Cat Breeds
York Chocolate
Turkish Van
Safari
Russian
Peterbald
The rarest cat in Toronto is the York Chocolate, which was first bred in 1983 just over the border in New York state.
With a distinctive luscious coat that comes in either chocolate brown or lavender, these felines are real lookers, but what most endears them to their devotees is their incredibly affectionate personality and love of play. Though not an overly vocal bunch, they do have a delightful habit of using their generous purring to communicate.
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