The most popular dog breed in the United States right now is the French Bulldog, which has held the American Kennel Club’s number one spot for four years running. The Labrador Retriever, which previously held that title for 31 years, now ranks second nationally, followed by the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Dachshund.
Popularity rankings come from AKC registration numbers, not from temperament tests or trainability scores. That means the most popular breed in the country is not automatically the easiest dog to live with or train, and it is not always the right fit for your household. In this guide, we will break down the current rankings, what is driving them, and which breed might actually fit your home and your Long Island lifestyle best.
Quick Insights:
- The French Bulldog has held the AKC’s number one spot since 2022, ending the Labrador Retriever’s 31 year streak at the top.
- The current national top five is French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Dachshund.
- AKC rankings are based on yearly registration totals, not behavior, intelligence, or how easy a breed is to train.
- A popular breed can still be a poor match for your home, schedule, or experience level as a dog owner.
- Working with a professional trainer helps any breed, popular or rare, become a well mannered, confident companion.
Thinking about adding a popular breed to your family? Read our guide on choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle and personality before you commit to a puppy.
Why Is the French Bulldog the Most Popular Dog Breed Right Now?
For three decades, the Labrador Retriever was the default answer whenever someone asked about America’s favorite dog. Families wanted a friendly, trainable, do everything companion, and Labs delivered on all three counts year after year. That changed in 2022, when the French Bulldog officially overtook the Labrador to claim the AKC’s top spot, a position it has now held for four consecutive years.
The shift reflects how American households have changed over the past decade. More owners live in apartments, condos, or smaller homes with little to no yard space. The French Bulldog’s compact size, modest exercise needs, and low grooming demands make it a practical fit for city and suburban living alike. Heavy visibility on social media also played a role, turning the breed’s distinctive look and personality into a recognizable trend that fueled even more demand among new dog owners.
None of this means the Labrador fell out of favor. It still ranks second nationally and remains one of the most requested breeds in our own training programs here on Long Island. Popularity simply shifted toward a breed that better matches how more people live today, not toward a breed that necessarily trains, exercises, or behaves better than its predecessor.
| Rank | Breed | Known For |
| 1 | French Bulldog | Compact size, apartment friendly, low exercise needs |
| 2 | Labrador Retriever | Friendly, trainable, high energy |
| 3 | Golden Retriever | Gentle, family oriented, easy to train |
| 4 | German Shepherd | Intelligent, protective, versatile |
| 5 | Dachshund | Small, alert, independent |
| 6 | Poodle | Hypoallergenic coat, highly trainable |
| 7 | Beagle | Friendly, scent driven, vocal |
| 8 | Rottweiler | Loyal, protective, powerful |
| 9 | German Shorthaired Pointer | Athletic, high energy, hunting instincts |
| 10 | Bulldog | Calm, affectionate, low energy |
Rankings like these shift gradually rather than overnight. The Dachshund’s climb into the national top five in 2025, for example, came after years of slow, steady gains rather than a single viral moment. Spotting these patterns matters less for trivia and more for understanding what kind of dog is showing up in more homes, and more often, in our own training programs across Long Island.
How Is Dog Breed Popularity Measured, and Which Breed Is Actually Best for You?
The AKC calculates these rankings using annual purebred registration numbers. Every puppy or adult dog registered with the club during the year counts toward its breed’s total, and those totals are compared nationally to produce the published list. It is a measure of how many people chose a breed that year, not a measure of temperament, intelligence, or how manageable that breed is in everyday life.
When pet owners ask what is the most popular dog breed, they are usually also asking which one will actually work in their home. That distinction matters more than the ranking itself. A French Bulldog may top the charts, but brachycephalic breathing issues and stubborn housetraining habits make it a difficult fit for some households, especially in hot or humid climates. A Labrador may be popular for good reason, but its size and energy level can overwhelm a small apartment or a first time owner with limited time for exercise. The right breed for you depends on your activity level, living space, grooming tolerance, and experience with dogs, not on where a breed happens to sit in a national ranking.
Popular Breeds and What They Need From Training
Ranking high in popularity does not tell you anything about how a dog will behave on a leash, around guests, or left alone for a few hours. Here is a quick look at training expectations for three of the most requested breeds in our Long Island programs.
Labrador Retriever: Labs are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable, but their energy and mouthiness as puppies need structured outlets early on. Our guide on how to train a Labrador covers the foundations every owner should start with in the first few months.
French Bulldog: Frenchies are affectionate companions but can be surprisingly stubborn, and their small size does not mean obedience training is optional. Our guide on how to train a French Bulldog walks through housetraining, crate training, and basic obedience suited to this breed’s personality.
Golden Retriever: Goldens are eager learners with a strong desire to please their owners, making them one of the more forgiving breeds for first time dog owners. Our guide on how to train a Golden Retriever covers obedience basics, socialization, and managing their natural retrieving instincts around the house.
| Trait | French Bulldog | Labrador Retriever | Golden Retriever |
| Energy Level | Low to moderate | High | High |
| Trainability | Moderate | Very high | Very high |
| Best Living Situation | Apartments, small homes | Homes with yards | Homes with yards |
| Grooming Needs | Low | Low to moderate | Moderate to high |
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Popular Breed
Choosing a dog based on national rankings or social media trends alone is one of the most common mistakes new owners make, and it is one we see often during evaluations here at K9 Mania Dog Training. A breed’s spot on a popularity list says nothing about whether it matches your home, your patience, or your daily schedule. A few other mistakes worth avoiding:
- Underestimating exercise needs. High energy breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds become destructive or anxious without enough daily physical activity.
- Assuming popular means easy. A breed’s popularity says nothing about how much training, structure, or patience it actually needs from its owner.
- Skipping early socialization. Even naturally friendly breeds like Goldens and Labs need consistent, positive exposure to people, other dogs, and new environments during puppyhood.
- Ignoring breed specific health needs. Flat faced breeds such as the French Bulldog and Bulldog often require extra care in heat and humidity, along with specialized vet attention.
- Choosing a breed before researching its true temperament. A quick look at bite statistics, energy levels, and grooming demands prevents most regret after adoption.
Get Professional Support for Any Breed on Long Island
Whether you have brought home the most popular breed in the country or a rare one nobody else asks about, the training fundamentals stay the same: consistency, structure, and early socialization. Our trainers work hands on with French Bulldogs, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and dozens of other breeds every month, which means we have seen firsthand how each one responds to different training styles, correction levels, and reward systems.
That hands-on experience is backed by credentials. K9 Mania Dog Training programs are led by a certified dog behaviorist who evaluates each dog individually rather than applying a one size fits all method, regardless of how popular or rare the breed happens to be. This combination of daily, real world repetition with trained breeds and formal behavioral expertise is what separates a quick fix from training that actually holds up at home.
Our board and train Long Island program gives dogs an immersive, structured environment to build obedience quickly under the daily guidance of our certified dog behaviorist. If you would rather keep training centered at home, our in-home dog training Long Island sessions teach your whole family the same methods our trainers use, adapted to your dog’s breed and personality. For owners who want focused, one on one attention without an overnight stay, our private dog training Long Island program builds a custom plan around your dog’s breed, age, and specific behavior goals.
The Right Match Matters More Than the Rankings
What is the most popular dog breed for a Long Island family that wants a well behaved, well adjusted dog? It is whichever breed fits your home, your schedule, and your experience level, trained by people who know how to bring out the best in it. K9 Mania Dog Training is Long Island’s leading board and train program, home to a certified dog behaviorist who works with every breed from Frenchies to German Shepherds. Whatever behavior challenge your dog brings home, trust our team to help you build a confident, well mannered companion you can count on for years to come.
FAQs: What Is the Most Popular Dog Breed?
Which dog breed currently ranks as the most popular in America?Â
The French Bulldog is currently the most popular dog breed in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club’s annual registration rankings. It has held the number one spot since 2022, when it overtook the Labrador Retriever, which had been the top breed for the previous 31 years.
Why did the French Bulldog overtake the Labrador Retriever as the most popular breed?Â
The French Bulldog’s small size, low exercise needs, and adaptability to apartment living made it a practical choice as more Americans moved into smaller homes. Heavy visibility on social media also boosted demand, turning the breed into a recognizable trend that outpaced the Labrador’s traditional family dog appeal.
Is the most popular dog breed always the easiest to train?Â
No. Breed popularity rankings are based purely on registration numbers, not trainability or temperament. Some popular breeds, like the French Bulldog, can be stubborn during housetraining, while others, like the Labrador and Golden Retriever, tend to be naturally easier to train because of their eagerness to please their owners.
What is the most popular small dog breed in the country?Â
The French Bulldog is currently the most popular small dog breed in the United States, followed closely by the Dachshund, which broke into the AKC’s national top five for the first time in over two decades in 2025.
Does a breed’s popularity affect how it should be trained?Â
Not directly. Every breed, popular or not, benefits from early socialization, consistent rules, and positive reinforcement. Popularity may affect how much information and support is available for that breed, but the core training principles stay exactly the same regardless of ranking.
What is the most popular family friendly dog breed?Â
The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are widely considered the most popular family friendly breeds, thanks to their gentle temperaments, patience with children, and high trainability. Both breeds currently rank in the AKC’s national top three.
