The Most Popular Dog Breeds in America, Compared

The AKC top 10 for 2025

The AKC ranks breeds by the number of dogs registered with it the year before. Its 2025 top 10, published in 2026, reads: French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Dachshund, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog. The Frenchie first took No. 1 in 2022, ending the Labrador's 31-year run, after climbing from No. 14 in 2012.

The only change in the top five was the Dachshund moving up from No. 6 to No. 5, pushing the Poodle to No. 6. Lower down, the German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog swapped places at Nos. 9 and 10. The AKC notes that a breed falling in the rankings has not necessarily become less popular; another breed may simply have overtaken it. It counted 202 recognized breeds in 2025, and three breeds recognized in 2026 will join the next list. If you are matching one of these breeds to your home, our dog harnesses and dog toys cover the gear most of them need first.

Side by side: size and lifespan

Figures are from each breed's AKC profile. French Bulldog: 11 to 13 inches, under 28 pounds, 10 to 12 years. Labrador Retriever: 21.5 to 24.5 inches, 55 to 80 pounds, 11 to 13 years. Golden Retriever: 21.5 to 24 inches, 55 to 75 pounds, 10 to 12 years. German Shepherd Dog: 22 to 26 inches, 50 to 90 pounds, 12 to 14 years. Dachshund: 8 to 9 inches and 16 to 32 pounds (standard) or 11 pounds and under (miniature), 12 to 16 years.

Poodle: three sizes, from the 4 to 6 pound Toy to the 40 to 70 pound Standard, 10 to 18 years. Beagle: up to 15 inches, under 20 to 30 pounds, 10 to 15 years. Rottweiler: 22 to 27 inches, 80 to 135 pounds, 9 to 10 years. German Shorthaired Pointer: 21 to 25 inches, 45 to 70 pounds, 10 to 12 years. Bulldog: 14 to 15 inches, 40 to 50 pounds, 8 to 10 years. Males are generally at the top of each range.

Energy, training and who each suits

VCA rates Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Beagles as high-energy dogs that need significant daily exercise. Labs and Goldens are described as typically excellent with children and suitable for most active owners, and Goldens have limited tolerance for being left alone. German Shepherds are very trainable but, VCA says, best for committed or experienced owners, because without training they can become overprotective. Rottweilers are also flagged as best for experienced, confident owners.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a running and hunting dog that VCA rates 5 out of 5 as a jogging partner and warns may be too boisterous for small children. Beagles are friendly but scent-driven, vocal when bored and hard to recall, so they need a well-fenced yard. Dachshunds are bold, independent and prone to chasing small animals, and need their exercise controlled to protect a long spine, including limited jumping and stair use.

The two flat-faced breeds in the top 10

The French Bulldog and the Bulldog are brachycephalic, meaning short-nosed, and both handle heat badly. VCA rates the Frenchie 1 out of 5 for warm weather and describes the Bulldog as extremely prone to overheating. Both need only modest exercise, such as a leisurely walk or backyard games, and both make calm, playful companions that VCA describes as good with children, though rough play can hurt a Frenchie's back.

Plan their exercise for the cool parts of the day, keep them out of hot cars and away from strenuous play in summer, and watch for loud or labored breathing. Their lifespans are also the shortest in the top 10. Before buying either breed, ask the breeder about breathing, spine and skin problems in the parents, and talk to your vet about what to watch for as they age. On warm days, a dog cooling mat gives a flat-faced dog a cooler place to rest indoors.

What the rankings do not tell you

The list counts AKC-registered purebred puppies, so mixed breeds and doodles never appear, however common they are at the dog park. It measures demand, not suitability: a breed can rise because it looks good in photos while still needing far more exercise, grooming or training than most homes can give. Several of the top 10 are working or hunting breeds bred for a full day in the field.

Health matters too. VCA lists hip and elbow dysplasia among the common concerns for Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers; intervertebral disc disease for Dachshunds and Beagles; and bloat for Labradors and Rottweilers. Ask any breeder for health screening on both parents, and treat a breed's popularity as a reason to look harder for a responsible breeder, not less hard.

How to choose among them

Start with your day, not the chart. If you run or hike daily and want a dog that joins in, the Lab, Golden, German Shorthaired Pointer and German Shepherd fit; a snug-fitting reflective harness and lead set is handy for daily runs and hikes with dogs that size. If you live in an apartment and want a companion more than an athlete, the Frenchie, Bulldog, Miniature Dachshund or a smaller Poodle may suit, with the heat caveats above. For the smaller breeds, a small dog harness, for example this small dog pet harness, is worth a look for walks. If allergies are a concern, spend time around the breed before committing, because no breed is allergen-free.

Then be honest about experience and time. Rottweilers and German Shepherds reward consistent, positive training and do poorly with owners who cannot provide it. Every breed on this list needs a vet checkup soon after you bring the puppy home and regular visits after that, and your vet can tell you which health checks matter most for the breed you choose. For the high-energy breeds on this list, a rope and tennis ball fetch toy is an easy way to burn off energy in the yard.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.