Quick answer
The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in America for the fourth year in a row, followed by the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog and Dachshund, according to the American Kennel Club rankings released in March 2026.
- The Dachshund is back in the top five for the first time since 2003.
- The Cane Corso jumped from No. 14 to No. 11.
- The Wirehaired Vizsla made the biggest leap, up 29 spots.
- The French Bulldog is the top breed in 36 of 47 major US cities.
Every spring the American Kennel Club ranks dog breeds by the number of new registrations from the year before. The 2026 release covers 2025 and ranks 202 breeds. Here is the full top 20, who moved up, who slipped and what the list means if you are picking a family dog for a home with kids, cats or a backyard flock.
What are the 20 most popular dog breeds in 2026?
The French Bulldog held the No. 1 spot again, a breed that ranked just No. 14 in 2012 (FOX 5 report). The Labrador Retriever, which held No. 1 for 31 straight years until the French Bulldog overtook it in the 2022 rankings (released in 2023), stayed at No. 2 (AKC release).
| Rank | Breed | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | French Bulldog | No. 1 for the fourth year |
| 2 | Labrador Retriever | Same as 2024 |
| 3 | Golden Retriever | Same as 2024 |
| 4 | German Shepherd Dog | Same as 2024 |
| 5 | Dachshund | Up from 6 |
| 6 | Poodle | Down from 5 |
| 7 | Beagle | Same as 2024 |
| 8 | Rottweiler | Same as 2024 |
| 9 | German Shorthaired Pointer | Up from 10 |
| 10 | Bulldog | Down from 9 |
| 11 | Cane Corso | Up from 14 |
| 12 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | |
| 13 | Yorkshire Terrier | |
| 14 | Australian Shepherd | |
| 15 | Doberman Pinscher | |
| 16 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | |
| 17 | Miniature Schnauzer | |
| 18 | Boxer | |
| 19 | Pomeranian | Up from 22 |
| 20 | Bernese Mountain Dog |
Which dog breeds are rising and falling in popularity?
The Wirehaired Vizsla jumped 29 spots, the biggest gain of any breed in 2025, followed by the Bergamasco Sheepdog at 17 spots and the English Foxhound at 14 (FOX 5 report). The Cane Corso rose from No. 14 to No. 11 and is close to cracking the top 10 (AKC release).
The Greyhound fell 33 spots, the steepest drop of the year. The Briard and Black Russian Terrier each fell 27 spots and the Kerry Blue Terrier fell 20 (FOX 5 report).
Some breeds have climbed steadily for a decade. Since 2015, the English Cocker Spaniel rose from No. 62 to No. 35, the Russell Terrier from No. 108 to No. 60 and the Boykin Spaniel from No. 111 to No. 64 (AKC release).
One newcomer joined the list. The Danish Swedish Farmdog, recognized in January 2025, debuted at No. 170, and three more breeds recognized in January 2026 will appear in next year’s rankings (AKC rankings).
What is the most popular dog breed in each city?
The French Bulldog ranks first in 36 of the 47 cities AKC tracks. The Golden Retriever leads in 7, including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Nashville. The Labrador Retriever leads in Denver, Long Island and St. Louis, and the Poodle leads in Albany, New York (AKC by city).
| City | Most popular breed |
|---|---|
| New York City | French Bulldog |
| Los Angeles | French Bulldog |
| Chicago | French Bulldog |
| Houston | French Bulldog |
| Atlanta | French Bulldog |
| Seattle | Golden Retriever |
| San Francisco | Golden Retriever |
| Nashville | Golden Retriever |
| Austin | Golden Retriever |
| Denver | Labrador Retriever |
| St. Louis | Labrador Retriever |
| Albany | Poodle |
Does popular mean healthy?
Not always. In a UK study of more than 30,000 dogs published in Scientific Reports, French Bulldogs had the shortest average life expectancy of 18 breeds at just 4.5 years, compared with 11.2 years for dogs overall and 12.7 years for Jack Russell Terriers (Live Science). Flat faced breeds like Frenchies, Bulldogs and Pugs often have breathing problems, so pick a responsible breeder and budget for vet care.
Those UK figures reflect dogs that died between 2016 and 2020, and because the breed boomed recently, a sample like that can include many dogs that died young, which may pull the average down. Still, it is a good reminder to look past cute photos. See our dog statistics for lifespan and cost data.
Which popular breeds work best on a homestead with chickens?
Livestock guardian breeds are quietly gaining ground. The Great Pyrenees climbed from No. 74 to No. 66 in 2025 (AKC release), and many backyard keepers use them to protect flocks from hawks, foxes and raccoons.
Bird dogs are a different story. Pointers, retrievers and spaniels are bred to chase birds, so a German Shorthaired Pointer (No. 9) or a Labrador needs careful training before it is trusted near hens. Our guides on how chickens defend themselves and coop and run space help you keep everyone safe.
| Breed | 2025 rank | Good fit for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 3 | Families with kids | Bird drive, shedding |
| Labrador Retriever | 2 | Active families | Bird drive, needs exercise |
| Great Pyrenees | 66 | Guarding chickens and goats | Barking at night, roaming |
| Australian Shepherd | 14 | Farms and herding chores | Needs a job every day |
| French Bulldog | 1 | Apartments, low exercise | Breathing and heat problems |
How does the AKC decide which breeds are most popular?
The AKC ranks breeds by the number of puppies and dogs registered with it in the previous year. The 2026 list covers 2025 registrations across 202 recognized breeds (AKC rankings). Mixed breed and shelter dogs are not counted, even though they make up a big share of family pets; about 2 million dogs were adopted from US shelters in 2025 (Shelter Animals Count).
For the bigger picture on how many Americans own dogs, read our pet ownership statistics and animal shelter statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular dog breed in 2026?
The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in America in the AKC rankings released in March 2026, its fourth straight year at No. 1. The Labrador Retriever is second, followed by the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog and Dachshund.
What are the top 10 dog breeds in America?
According to the AKC’s 2026 rankings, the top 10 are the French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Dachshund, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog. The Cane Corso just missed at No. 11.
Which dog breed is rising fastest in popularity?
The Wirehaired Vizsla made the biggest jump in the AKC rankings, rising 29 spots from 2024 to 2025. The Bergamasco Sheepdog and American Hairless Terrier each rose 17 spots. Among top breeds, the Cane Corso climbed from No. 14 to No. 11.
When was the Labrador last the most popular dog?
The Labrador Retriever was the most popular dog breed in America for 31 straight years until the French Bulldog took over in the 2022 rankings, released in 2023, according to the AKC. The Lab has stayed at No. 2 since then.
What is a good dog breed for a home with chickens?
Livestock guardian breeds like the Great Pyrenees are bred to protect flocks, and the breed rose to No. 66 in the 2026 AKC rankings. Retrievers and pointers have strong bird drive, so they need careful training and supervision before being trusted around hens.
