Is your favorite pooch on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of the top 10 most popular dog breeds this year? The annual list is lengthy, including 197 breeds total, so there’s a good chance your beloved breed pops up on there somewhere — but where do they fall?!
The most popular dog breeds in the U.S. have remained steady for years, with more or less the same four-legged friends consistently landing in the top ten. However! For the first time in 32 years, the labrador retriever has been dethroned from its No. 1 spot (a reign they’ve held onto since 1991!). The new top dog? French bulldogs!
While lab owners may be surprised to learn that their favorite pup has dropped in rank, Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of P.R. & Communications for the AKC, notes that the Frenchie, who previously held the No. 2 rank, was an obviously successor, given their loyal-yet-flexible disposition.
“French bulldogs are wonderful and adaptable dogs that are great companions,” Hunter Munden says. “They do well with families and children and great for people who want a dog that only requires light walks to be properly exercised. They have a clownish disposition and love nothing more than to be with their owners.”
Read on to see who made the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. in 2022, and learn why people are charmed by each of them.
1. French bulldog
Famous standouts:
A show dog named Ch. Bouquet Nouvelle Ami (a.k.a. Jo-Jo) won Best of Breed at Westminster a whopping eight years in a row in the 1950s.
What people love about French bulldogs:
Their large “bat” ears are their signature feature, but there are a lot of traits that make this breed unique.
“French bulldogs are loving companions that will keep you laughing,” says Becky Smith, president of the French Bull Dog Club of America. “It has been said that Frenchies are clowns in the cloak of a philosopher. They do well in smaller environments which makes them great house or apartment companions.”
That’s why you’ll often see these cuties prancing down sidewalks in cities — if you’re considering bringing one home, definitely do your research.
“Most importantly, if you are purchasing a French bulldog, buy from a reputable breeder,” she says. “With popularity comes unscrupulous breeder’s out to simply make money without concern for protecting our breed. Members of the French Bull Dog Club of America sign a Code of Ethics. Our common goal [is] to ‘Protect, Promote, and Preserve’ our precious breed.”
2. Labrador retriever
Famous standouts:
You’ve seen them in films like “Marley & Me,” but the breed’s real-life heroics could be seen in a search and rescue dog named Jake, who looked for survivors following the 9/11 attacks and later in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He died in 2007.
What people love about Labs:
They may have fallen to the second spot this year, but 31 years in a row at number one? That’s impressive.
“The versatile, family-friendly Labrador retriever has solidified itself as America’s dog,” says AKC executive secretary Gina DiNardo in a statement when the list was made public. “With their loving, outgoing personality and eager-to-please attitude, it’s no surprise that the Lab has been able to continue its record-breaking run as the most popular breed in the U.S.”
These beautiful dogs are the traditional waterdog of Newfoundland, the large Canadian island, but the British refined the breed in the 19th century, the AKC says. Described as “outgoing,” “high-spirited” and “famously friendly,” it’s no wonder that so many households have chosen them as their trusted companions since the early 90s.
3. Golden retriever
Famous standouts:
Goldens have the “Air Bud” movies to thank for bringing them into so many living rooms. Presidents Ford and Reagan also had retrievers in the White House, respectively named Liberty and Victory.
What people love about golden retrievers:
Maybe the easier question is: What’s not to love about these beauties? Not a whole lot.
“From the eager expression to the wagging tail, a Golden is happiness in a canine unit,” says Alison Webb, the eastern director for the Golden Retriever Club of America. “This is an active, people-oriented breed that wants to be involved in your daily activities. Hiking, swimming and sleeping on my feet are my dogs’ favorite activities. I love that these dogs are so smart, adaptable and trainable.”
They hail from the Scottish Highlands, where they were bred to retrieve — and they still take this job very seriously.
“Goldens were developed to be gundogs, and their natural retrieving instincts are intact,” Webb says. “They’ll bring you a baby bird fallen from its nest but also take your socks and underwear out to the lawn if given the chance. One of my dogs helps out by picking up all the dog bowls after a meal, while another I’ve taught to help me pull invasive weeds. Goldens do need quite a bit of exercise, or they will find something to do, which may not be on your approved list of activities.”
4. German shepherd
Famous standouts:
After he was rescued from battle in World War I, a male German shepherd named Rin Tin Tin became a movie star. President Joe Biden’s dog, Champ, is also a German shepherd.
What people love about German shepherds:
The modern day German shepherds are relatives of German herding dogs and have beefed up their resumes with various skills, including agility, police work and more. Gary Szymczak, president German Shepherd Dog Club of America, says they’re popular first and foremost because of their intelligence and second their commitment and dedication to their families.
“They’re so intelligent. They are notoriously a family dog,” he says. “All dogs, all breeds have a negative side. If there is one to a German shepherd that I can attest to, it’s their shedding twice a year.”
They’re also very easily trained, he says, and love to have a job.
“They don’t need a lot of exercise like your sporting dogs do, but because they are a larger dog, they need to have some activity. But more importantly a German shepherd has to have a purpose,” he says. ”German shepherds are not couch potatoes, that’s not what they’re bred to do.”
5. Poodle
Famous standouts:
Poodles Vicky and Gaullie walked the halls of the White House during Nixon and Kennedy administrations.
What people love about poodles:
“We’ve been very popular for a very long time,” says Susan Burge, president of the Poodle Club of America, who notes that the breed, which originated as a duck hunter in Germany, has appeared on the list for many years. “Poodles, unlike other breeds, come in three different sizes and multiple shades. So I think the variety is part of it. The other reality is that we have a non-shedding coat and I think poodles get the most publicity out of it.”
A well-bred poodle is first and foremost very bright, she says, so if you get one, put your thinking cap on.
“The worst possible combination is a smart poodle and a dumb owner,” Burge says. “Because the poodle will play that owner for everything it’s worth. They’re going to test limits a little bit.”
Clearly, people love poodles and vice versa.
“They don’t care if you want to go running in the park or you want to snuggle on the couch all afternoon, they need to be with people,” she says. “They’re not a dog that does well in isolation.”
6. Bulldog
Famous standouts:
A skateboarding bulldog named Tillman captured the hearts of millions and snagged a Guinness World Record for fastest 100-meters on a skateboard by a dog.
What people love about bulldogs:
They are a symbol of strength in their native England, so maybe that’s why they hold strong in the No. 5 spot. Their ranking “is not a surprise to their fans who love the bulldog’s appealing wrinkled face and kind and gentle disposition,” says Annette Nobles, communications/media chairperson for the Bulldog Club of America. “The bulldog can have a ‘no worries’ attitude but surprisingly to some the bulldog can ‘turn it on’ when needed.”
An example of that, she says, is a dog named Rudy who stole the show at the Westminster Kennel Club’s masters agility competition in 2021. The lightning fast pup went viral for “pacing through the agility course at record breaking speeds,” Nobles says.
7. Rottweiler
Famous standouts:
A rescued Rottie named Jake was honored by the RSPCA in the United Kingdom for chasing off a woman’s attacker in 2010, according to the BBC.
What people love about Rottweilers:
Up from their No. 8 spot last year, Rottweilers are loyal, loving guardians who thrive when trained early and given a job to do, according to the AKC.
“I can tell you that they are one of the few types of dogs that will try and trick you, they can be quite cunning,” says dog trainer Jill Kessler-Miller, who is on the board of directors for the American Rottweiler Club.
The working breed has been used in various fields, including people protection, search and rescue and police work.
“A trait that most of us highly value is how enormously gentle and sensitive they are to people who are vulnerable or compromised. They have an ability to size up a situation (room, person) and quickly adapt,” Kessler-Miller says. “My own dog, Nemo, is a total goofball and in everything 24/7. But when we would go to the hospital, he ‘knew’ to dial it down and became soft and careful around folks who were very ill and hooked up to multiple machines.”
8. Beagle
Famous standouts:
Well, Snoopy, of course! But a real dog named Uno can take credit for bolstering the breed’s presence on the show dog circuit. In 2008, he became the first beagle to win Best in Show at Westminster.
What people love about beagles:
While down from their No. 7 ranking last year, beagles are known for their good temperament, says Michelle Sager, a beagle breeder, judge and chairperson for the education committee for the National Beagle Club of America.
“They were bred to hunt rabbits, they are pack dogs meant to hunt with other beagles, so they need to get along with other dogs,” she says. “So they’re great for families, and they get along pretty much with everything and everyone.”
Additionally, she says their size and propensity to have few health problems are desirable traits, as is their short coat.
“Another reason why there are still so many of us is that they are still very popular as hunting dogs, there are many thousands of them throughout the country that are used for [rabbit] hunting,” she says.
While they are a beloved breed, they aren’t for everyone.
“They love to follow their noses,” she says. “This is not a dog that can be reliably off leash outside of a fenced area. They’re smart, but they can be stubborn, but they are a joy to live with.”
9. Dachshund
Famous standouts:
Crusoe the Dachshund is a miniature dachshund living in Canada, who became a viral Internet sensation due to his homemade costumes and adorable videos. Crusoe’s family have also added younger brother Oakley and little sister Daphne to the famous fam.
What people love about Dachshunds:
Dachshunds, up from the No. 10 spot last year, are “smart and vigilant,” according to AKC, and their sweet personality and unique look has “won millions of hearts” around the world.
The dachshund breed’s German history goes back about 600 years, based on the AKC history on the breed. In German “Dachshund” means “badger dog,” which also explains the breed’s original purpose — digging vigorously into badger dens and sending them running. With this history, their nature can make them overly brave and “a bit stubborn” but also very fine watch dogs.
The Dachshund Club of America is the official AKC Parent Club for the dachshund and has been member of the AKC since 1895.
10. German shorthaired pointer
Famous standouts:
A 3-year-old GSP known as CJ snagged the title of Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2016.
What people love about German shorthaired pointers:
The qualities that attract people to this pup are athleticism, enthusiasm and friendliness, according to the AKC. The competitive hunter of German origin may have dropped from its No. 9 spot last year, but they’re still a noteworthy breed.
“Attention must be paid to the German shorthaired pointer,” AKC executive secretary Gina DiNardo said in a statement when 2021’s list was made public. “This jack of all trades in the pointer world has slowly but steadily risen in popularity over the years. People continue to fall in love with its versatility, extreme intelligence and willingness to please.”
