Most Popular Dog Breeds in the US: Top 10 Ranked for 2025

What are the most popular dog breeds in the US? Each year the American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks more than 200 recognized breeds using its registration data, and the 2025 list brought a few changes. This countdown covers the top 10 most popular dog breeds, ranked from number 10 to number 1, with a short look at where each breed came from.

The short answer: The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in the US for the fourth year in a row, followed by the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. This most popular dog breeds list is based on AKC registration data for 2025.

This is the written companion to our video on the most popular dog breeds ranked. Watch it below, then read on for the story behind each breed.

Number 10: Bulldog

The Bulldog slipped from ninth place to tenth in the 2025 ranking. The breed was originally developed for bull-baiting, a blood sport that England banned in 1835. Once the sport ended, breeders worked to turn the Bulldog into the gentle companion most owners know today.

Number 9: German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer is the only breed in the top 10 that moved up this year, rising from tenth to ninth. It was developed in Germany as an all-purpose hunting dog, able to track, point and retrieve, and it remains an energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise.

Number 8: Rottweiler

The Rottweiler held its place at number eight. The breed takes its name from the town of Rottweil in Germany, where these dogs were used to drive cattle and to pull butchers’ carts to market.

Number 7: Beagle

The Beagle also stayed in seventh place. It is a scent hound with an exceptional nose, a trait that earned it a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The department’s Beagle Brigade works at airports and border crossings, sniffing out prohibited fruit, plants and meat in travelers’ bags.

A smiling Beagle looking at the camera — The Beagle, number 7 among the most popular dog breeds.

Number 6: Poodle

The Poodle dropped out of the top five, falling from fifth to sixth. Although many people link the breed with France, it is traced to Germany, where it worked as a water retriever. The classic Poodle haircut began as a practical way to help the dog swim while protecting its joints and vital organs.

Number 5: Dachshund

The Dachshund moved up to fifth place, taking the spot the Poodle left behind. Its name is German for “badger dog,” from Dachs (badger) and Hund (dog). Its long, low body was bred to follow badgers into their burrows.

A red smooth-haired Dachshund — The Dachshund, number 5.

Number 4: German Shepherd

The German Shepherd kept its place at number four. The breed was developed in Germany in the late 1800s under Max von Stephanitz, who wanted a dog that combined intelligence, strength and a willingness to work. In English-speaking countries it was also known for many years as the Alsatian.

The German Shepherd, number 4.

Number 3: Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever stayed in third place. The breed was created in the Scottish Highlands in the mid-1800s by Lord Tweedmouth, who wanted a skilled retriever for hunting waterfowl. Its friendly nature has since made it one of the most loved family dogs.

A Golden Retriever sitting among dandelions — The Golden Retriever, number 3.

Number 2: Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is number two. For more than three decades it was the most popular dog breed in the US, one of the longest runs in the AKC’s history. Despite its name, the breed traces back to Newfoundland, where its ancestors helped fishermen haul in nets.

A yellow Labrador Retriever puppy — The Labrador Retriever, number 2.

Number 1: French Bulldog

The French Bulldog takes the top spot for the fourth year in a row. Its rise ended the Labrador Retriever’s long run as the most popular dog breed in the US, which the AKC reported in 2022. The breed’s story begins with lace workers in Nottingham, England, who kept small bulldogs and took them to France when many moved there for work in the 1800s.

Portrait of a French Bulldog — The French Bulldog, number 1.

Most popular dog breeds at a glance

2025 rank	Breed	2024 rank	Origin
10	Bulldog	9	England
9	German Shorthaired Pointer	10	Germany
8	Rottweiler	8	Germany
7	Beagle	7	England
6	Poodle	5	Germany
5	Dachshund	6	Germany
4	German Shepherd	4	Germany
3	Golden Retriever	3	Scotland
2	Labrador Retriever	2	Newfoundland
1	French Bulldog	1	England and France

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular dog breeds in the US?

According to the AKC’s 2025 ranking, the top 10 most popular dog breeds are the French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Dachshund, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog.

What is the most popular dog breed in the US right now?

The French Bulldog, which has ranked first for four years in a row.

How does the AKC rank the most popular dog breeds?

The AKC ranks breeds using its official registration data. Mixed-breed dogs are not part of the list, which covers more than 200 recognized breeds.

Which breed moved up in the 2025 ranking?

Within the top 10, the German Shorthaired Pointer rose from tenth to ninth, and the Dachshund moved up to fifth as the Poodle fell to sixth.

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