In the market to buy or adopt a dog and curious about the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.? As Bill Murray once said, “I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.” Dogs have been man’s best friend for centuries. These animals love us unconditionally. Each year the American Kennel Club ranks 197 dog breeds based on registered owners.
Here are the 20 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. for 2022:
1) Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed for the 31st year in a row!
2) French Bull Dog
One of the most popular breeds for celebritiesThe French Bulldog originated when English Bulldogs were bred with Pugs and Terriers after bull-baiting was banned in England in 1835. The smaller breed became a favorite companion for the Nottingham lace workers as the small Bulldogs loved to sit on laps and kept the workers warm.
3) Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work.
4) German Shepherd
German Shepherds are famous for their intelligent, loyal, and hardworking natures. They are often used as guide, therapy, search-and-rescue, police, military, and narcotics and explosives detecting dogs. While they can come across as aloof to strangers, they are known to be wonderful family dogs.
5) Poodle
Poodles are extremely intelligent and are easily trained. They are agile and graceful as well as smart, and they enjoy and excel in a variety of canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking. They are excellent water-retrievers and also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.
6) Bulldog
Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention. However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs.
7) Beagle
The beagle is best known for rabbit hunting, although the breed also has been used to hunt animals as diverse as jackals and wild pigs. Although some beagles are still used individually or in packs for hunting, most beagles today are lovable house pets.
8) Rottweiler
This breed acquired its name from the old free city of Rottweil and was known as the “Rottweil butcher’s dog”. The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In due course, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could also be used as a draught do
9) German Short-Haired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are extremely versatile hunting dogs. Bred to be instinctive hunting all-rounders, these multitasking dogs can hunt, point, and retrieve, and have been used to hunt quarry of all kinds, including rabbits, raccoons, game birds, and even deer.
10) Dachshund
Despite their size, dachshunds are known for their courageous nature and will take on animals much larger than themselves. Some may be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs. As family dogs, dachshunds are loyal companions and good watchdogs. They are good with children if treated well.
11) Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known as one of the most agreeable of small house dogs and is a loyal, loving pet for families. They also are known for their intelligence and enthusiasm for working. Many Pembrokes compete in dog sports, such as agility, herding, conformation, obedience, and more.
12) Australian Shepherd
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
13) Yorkshire Terrior
Yorkshire Terriors are long-lived and hypoallergenic (the coat is more like human hair than animal fur), and they make fine little watchdogs. This is a true ‘personality breed,’ providing years of laughs, love, and close companionship.
14) Boxer
Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America’s most popular dog breeds for a very long time
15) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an enchantingly affectionate, playful, intelligent dog that eagerly indulges its guardians with endearing devotion. Shyness and aggression, fortunately, are not part of this breed’s behavioral milieu.
16) Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are very intelligent, learn easily, respond quickly, and make loving and fun companions. However, they are very strong dogs and can become pushy, destructive, and unmanageable if not raised properly. Socialization starting in puppyhood is imperative, as is obedience training
17) Great Dane
Great Danes are considered gentle giants. They are moderately playful, affectionate and good with children. They will guard their home. Great Danes generally get along with other animals, particularly if raised with them, but some individuals in the breed can be aggressive with dogs they do not know.
18) Minature Schnauzer
Created to be all-around farm dogs and ratters, they are tough, muscular, and fearless without being aggressive. The Miniature Schnauzer is a bright, friendly, trainable companion, small enough to adapt to apartment life but tireless enough to patrol acres of farmland. They get along well with other animals and kids.
19) Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance, was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. This northern breed is friendly, fastidious, and dignified
20) Bernese Mountain Dog
Big, powerful, and built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain Dog is also strikingly beautiful and blessed with a sweet, affectionate nature. Berners are generally placid but are always up for a romp with the owner, whom they live to please.
Now while these are the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., that does not mean that we love the hundreds of other breeds any less.
If you liked this post on the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., in order to learn more about our furry friends come read other articles here.
