Ranking · Updated October 2026

The most popular dog breeds in America, ranked by AKC registrations from 2013 to 2025

The French Bulldog was America's most popular dog breed in 2025, its fourth straight year at No. 1 in American Kennel Club registrations. The Labrador Retriever, No. 1 for 31 years until 2021, is second. The Dachshund rose to fifth, its first top-five finish since 2003.

A fawn French Bulldog sits beside a resting yellow Labrador in a sunny dog park, a Golden Retriever behind.
Illustrative image (AI-generated). The data and charts come from the sources listed in this report.
No. 1
French Bulldog's AKC rank in 2025, its fourth year in a row at the top
31 years
Labrador Retriever's unbroken run at No. 1, 1991 to 2021
11 to 1
French Bulldog's climb from No. 11 in 2013 to No. 1 in 2022
50 to 11
Cane Corso's rise in the AKC ranking from 2013 to 2025
202
breeds ranked in AKC's 2025 popularity list, up from 177 in 2013

By the dogeats.in Editorial Team · Published 2026-10-10 · Updated 2026-10-10 · Free to reuse with credit (CC BY 4.0)

Key findings

  1. The French Bulldog topped AKC registrations in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, ending the Labrador Retriever's 31-year run at No. 1.
  2. AKC says French Bulldog registrations rose more than 1,000% between 2012 and 2022, when it climbed from 14th to first.
  3. The 2025 top five was French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog and Dachshund.
  4. The Dachshund reached No. 5 in 2025 for the first time since 2003, pushing the Poodle to sixth.
  5. Seven breeds sat in the AKC top 10 in all 13 years from 2013 to 2025: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler and Bulldog.
  6. Among 2025's top 40 breeds, the English Cocker Spaniel gained the most ground since 2015, climbing 25 places to No. 35.
  7. The Cane Corso climbed 24 places between 2015 and 2025 and finished 2025 at No. 11, one spot outside the top 10.
  8. The Siberian Husky fell the furthest among 2025's top 40, from No. 12 in 2015 to No. 30 in 2025.
  9. The Bulldog, a top-five fixture from 2012 to 2020, slipped to No. 10 in 2025.
  10. AKC registered about 54,000 French Bulldogs in 2025, half the 2023 level, according to figures reported by the Associated Press.

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Key findings: The most popular dog breeds in America, ranked by AKC registrations from 2013 to 2025
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The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Its 2025 rankings, released in March 2026, put the Frenchie at No. 1 for the fourth year running.

The Labrador Retriever is No. 2, the Golden Retriever No. 3 and the German Shepherd Dog No. 4. The Dachshund moved up to fifth, while the Poodle, fifth from 2021 to 2024, dropped to sixth.

The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Bulldog swapped places at Nos. 9 and 10. The Cane Corso finished 11th, up from 14th.

AKC's top 10 breeds, 2025 compared with 2024
Rank20252024
1French BulldogFrench Bulldog
2Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever
3Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever
4German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd Dog
5DachshundPoodle
6PoodleDachshund
7BeagleBeagle
8RottweilerRottweiler
9German Shorthaired PointerBulldog
10BulldogGerman Shorthaired Pointer
AKC ranks 11 to 30 in 2025, with 2024 and 2015 ranks
2025 rankBreed2024 rank2015 rank
11Cane Corso1435
12Cavalier King Charles Spaniel1318
13Yorkshire Terrier117
14Australian Shepherd1217
15Doberman Pinscher1614
16Pembroke Welsh Corgi1520
17Miniature Schnauzer1816
18Boxer1710
19Pomeranian2221
20Bernese Mountain Dog1929
21Shih Tzu2019
22Great Dane2115
23Boston Terrier2322
24Chihuahua2728
25Havanese2524
26Border Collie3038
27English Springer Spaniel2827
28Miniature American Shepherd24
29Shetland Sheepdog2923
30Siberian Husky2612

AKC also flagged other 2025 gains outside the top 30. The Great Pyrenees went from 74th to 66th and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog from 82nd to 71st.

Top breeds year by year, 2013 to 2025

The very top of the AKC list changes slowly. The Labrador, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Dog filled three of the top four places in every year from 2013 to 2025.

The fourth place is where the action was. The Beagle held it in 2013 and the Bulldog from 2014 to 2016. From 2017 the French Bulldog moved in and kept climbing.

The full lists below come from AKC's annual ranking pages, which rank every breed with registrations that year.

AKC top five breeds by registration year, 2013 to 2025
YearNo. 1No. 2No. 3No. 4No. 5
2025French BulldogLabrador RetrieverGolden RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogDachshund
2024French BulldogLabrador RetrieverGolden RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogPoodle
2023French BulldogLabrador RetrieverGolden RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogPoodle
2022French BulldogLabrador RetrieverGolden RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogPoodle
2021Labrador RetrieverFrench BulldogGolden RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogPoodle
2020Labrador RetrieverFrench BulldogGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverBulldog
2019Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverFrench BulldogBulldog
2018Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverFrench BulldogBulldog
2017Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverFrench BulldogBulldog
2016Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverBulldogBeagle
2015Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverBulldogBeagle
2014Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverBulldogBeagle
2013Labrador RetrieverGerman Shepherd DogGolden RetrieverBeagleBulldog
Number of breeds in AKC's annual popularity ranking
Number of breeds in AKC's annual popularity ranking2013: 177; 2014: 184; 2015: 184; 2016: 189; 2017: 190; 2018: 192; 2019: 195; 2020: 195; 2021: 197; 2022: 199; 2023: 200; 2024: 201; 2025: 20201002003002013177201418420151842016189201719020181922019195202019520211972022199202320020242012025202breeds

Source: AKC full ranking pages for each year. New breeds join as AKC recognizes them.

Show the numbers
Labelbreeds
2013177
2014184
2015184
2016189
2017190
2018192
2019195
2020195
2021197
2022199
2023200
2024201
2025202
Embed this chart

The list grows as AKC recognizes new breeds. The Miniature American Shepherd first appears in the 2016 ranking, at No. 36, and reached No. 24 in 2024.

The Labrador's 31 years at No. 1

The Labrador Retriever was America's most registered breed every year from 1991 to 2021. AKC called it a record-breaking reign when it ended in its 2022 rankings.

The Lab has held second place since then, in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. AKC's own rankings page describes 2025 as the Lab's third year in a row at No. 2, which does not match its yearly lists.

The German Shepherd Dog had its own long run as runner-up. It held No. 2 from 2009 until the French Bulldog passed it in 2020.

Consecutive years at No. 1 or No. 2 in AKC rankings

Sources: AKC press releases, 2021 to 2026. Labrador No. 1 from 1991 to 2021; German Shepherd No. 2 from 2009 to 2019; French Bulldog No. 1 from 2022 to 2025.

Show the numbers
Labelyears
Labrador Retriever at No. 1 (1991 to 2021)31 years
German Shepherd Dog at No. 2 (2009 to 2019)11 years
French Bulldog at No. 1 (2022 to 2025)4 years
Labrador Retriever at No. 2 (2022 to 2025)4 years
Embed this chart

In its 30th year at the top, the Lab was also the most popular breed in Albany, Milwaukee and Salt Lake City, AKC said. AKC's executive secretary called the Lab versatile and family-friendly, which helps explain why it stayed second after losing first place.

How the French Bulldog rose from 11th to first

The French Bulldog ranked 11th in 2013. It passed the Bulldog in 2017 to take fourth, then the German Shepherd Dog in 2020 to take second. In 2022 it overtook the Labrador.

AKC says Frenchie registrations rose by more than 1,000% between 2012 and 2022. It describes the breed as playful, adaptable and popular with city dwellers because of its small size.

AKC has also urged caution. In its 2025 rankings release, president and CEO Gina DiNardo said popularity does not make the breed right for everyone. She urged buyers to find a responsible breeder.

French Bulldog: places gained in the AKC ranking since 2013
French Bulldog: places gained in the AKC ranking since 20132013: No. 11; 2014: No. 9; 2015: No. 6; 2016: No. 6; 2017: No. 4; 2018: No. 4; 2019: No. 4; 2020: No. 2; 2021: No. 2; 2022: No. 1; 2023: No. 1; 2024: No. 1; 2025: No. 102.557.5102013No. 112014No. 92015No. 62016No. 62017No. 42018No. 42019No. 42020No. 22021No. 22022No. 12023No. 12024No. 12025No. 1places

Our calculation from AKC annual ranks. French Bulldog was No. 11 in 2013 and No. 1 from 2022 to 2025. Labels show the rank.

Show the numbers
Labelplaces
2013No. 11
2014No. 9
2015No. 6
2016No. 6
2017No. 4
2018No. 4
2019No. 4
2020No. 2
2021No. 2
2022No. 1
2023No. 1
2024No. 1
2025No. 1
Embed this chart
Popularity counts registrations, not suitability. A breed's rank says nothing about how well it handles heat, exercise or a small budget.

The Associated Press notes growing public concern about the health of flat-faced dogs such as the Frenchie. Before buying any short-nosed breed, ask a veterinarian about breathing and heat tolerance, and budget for vet care. Our cost of owning a dog report shows how quickly those costs add up.

Still No. 1, but French Bulldog registrations are falling

AKC does not print registration counts in its ranking releases, but it has shared them with the Associated Press. Those figures show the Frenchie boom cooling even as the breed holds first place.

AKC added about 108,000 French Bulldogs to its registry in 2022 and 98,500 in 2023. The count fell to nearly 74,500 in 2024 and about 54,000 in 2025, half the 2023 level.

The Labrador logged about 58,500 new registrations in 2024, AP reported. AKC's spokesperson said registration is voluntary, breed booms come and go, and some breeders may choose not to register with the club.

French Bulldogs added to the AKC registry each year (approximate)
French Bulldogs added to the AKC registry each year (approximate)2022: 108,000; 2023: 98,500; 2024: 74,500; 2025: 54,000050,000100,000150,0002022108,000202398,500202474,500202554,000dogs

Source: AKC figures reported by the Associated Press, March 2025 and March 2026. Rounded as published.

Show the numbers
Labeldogs
2022108,000
202398,500
202474,500
202554,000
Embed this chart

A breed can fall in numbers and still rank first, because ranks only compare breeds with one another. If registrations drop across many breeds at once, the order may barely move.

AP also put today's list in a longer frame. Twenty-five years ago the Yorkshire Terrier was sixth and the French Bulldog 64th. The Beagle is the only breed to make the top 10 in every decade since AKC's founding in 1884.

Biggest climbers and fallers of the past decade

Comparing 2015 with 2025 shows which breeds are gaining fans. Among breeds in the 2025 top 40, the English Cocker Spaniel gained the most, rising 25 places to 35th. The Cane Corso gained 24, to 11th.

The Cane Corso is AKC's standout story. It was recognized in 2010, ranked 50th in 2013 and has climbed almost every year since. AKC says its registrations rose 414% between 2014 and 2024.

Some former favorites are sliding. The Siberian Husky fell 18 places, from 12th to 30th. The Mastiff dropped 15, the Boxer 8 and the Yorkshire Terrier 6.

Places gained in AKC rank, 2015 to 2025 (breeds in the 2025 top 40)

Our calculation from AKC annual full ranking lists.

Show the numbers
Labelplaces
English Cocker Spaniel (60 to 35)+25
Cane Corso (35 to 11)+24
Belgian Malinois (51 to 32)+19
Border Collie (38 to 26)+12
Bernese Mountain Dog (29 to 20)+9
Dachshund (13 to 5)+8
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (18 to 12)+6
French Bulldog (6 to 1)+5
Pembroke Welsh Corgi (20 to 16)+4
Chihuahua (28 to 24)+4
Embed this chart
Places lost in AKC rank, 2015 to 2025 (breeds in the 2025 top 40)

Our calculation from AKC annual full ranking lists.

Show the numbers
Labelplaces
Siberian Husky (12 to 30)-18
Mastiff (25 to 40)-15
Boxer (10 to 18)-8
Great Dane (15 to 22)-7
Bulldog (4 to 10)-6
Yorkshire Terrier (7 to 13)-6
Shetland Sheepdog (23 to 29)-6
Maltese (31 to 37)-6
Brittany (26 to 31)-5
Pug (33 to 38)-5
Embed this chart
AKC rank by year for every breed that reached the top 30 between 2013 and 2025, plus the Belgian Malinois and English Cocker Spaniel
Breed2013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
French Bulldog11966444221111
Labrador Retriever1111111112222
Golden Retriever3333333433333
German Shepherd Dog2222222344444
Dachshund1011131313121110109665
Poodle8787776655556
Beagle4555667778877
Rottweiler91098888887988
German Shorthaired Pointer131211111099991010109
Bulldog54445555667910
Cane Corso50483540373230252118161411
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel18191819191816171514141312
Yorkshire Terrier667991012131313131113
Australian Shepherd20181716171513121212121214
Doberman Pinscher12141415161719181615151615
Pembroke Welsh Corgi24222018151310111111111516
Miniature Schnauzer17161617181918191817171817
Boxer781010111114141416181718
Pomeranian19202122222324232423222219
Bernese Mountain Dog32322927252223222022211920
Shih Tzu15171920202020202220202021
Great Dane16151514141617151719192122
Boston Terrier23232221212121212324232323
Chihuahua22242830323335343734322724
Havanese25252423232422242525252525
Border Collie44403838383533323130313026
English Springer Spaniel28282726272727262626272827
Miniature American Shepherd36353429313031292428
Shetland Sheepdog21212324242525272827262929
Siberian Husky14131212121415161921242630
Brittany30272625262626282728283131
Belgian Malinois60605147444341373632333332
Cocker Spaniel29303029293028302929303233
English Cocker Spaniel62626056525250474340393635
Vizsla34343231303134353233353536
Maltese27293133333736383938373737
Pug31333332312831293335363838
Mastiff26262528282932333537384040

AKC's 2025 release gives the English Cocker Spaniel's 2015 rank as 62nd. AKC's own 2015 list shows it at 60th, which we use above. Either way it is the biggest climber in the group.

Breeds to watch outside the top 40

Each AKC release names fast movers further down the list. These breeds have small registration numbers, so a modest rise in puppies can move them many places.

Over the past decade, AKC highlighted the Russell Terrier, from 108th in 2015 to 60th in 2025, and the Boykin Spaniel, from 111th to 64th. The Beauceron went from 145th in 2014 to 100th in 2024.

Year-over-year movers named in AKC press releases
BreedEarlier rankLater rankPlaces gainedPeriod
American Hairless Terrier125108172024 to 2025
Coton de Tulear9279132024 to 2025
Lhasa Apso9483112024 to 2025
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog8271112024 to 2025
Neapolitan Mastiff12811992024 to 2025
Great Pyrenees746682024 to 2025
Bracco Italiano152132202023 to 2024
German Pinscher151133182023 to 2024
American Staffordshire Terrier9577182023 to 2024
American Eskimo Dog129116132023 to 2024
Chinese Crested7968112023 to 2024
Staffordshire Bull Terrier726392023 to 2024
Finnish Lapphund167135322022 to 2023
Basenji9181102022 to 2023
American Hairless Terrier135120152021 to 2022
Gordon Setter11399142021 to 2022
Flat-Coated Retriever1029392020 to 2021

Social media favorites sit in the middle of the pack. In 2025 the Yorkshire Terrier was 13th, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 16th, the Siberian Husky 30th and the Pug 38th.

What AKC rankings measure, and what they miss

AKC rankings reflect AKC registrations only. They count purebred dogs whose owners or breeders chose to register them with the club. They do not count mixed-breed dogs, most shelter dogs or purebreds that were never registered.

AKC's ranking releases do not list the registration totals behind each rank. A rank tells you which breed had more AKC registrations than another, not how many dogs of that breed live in the US.

So the list is a good guide to purebred puppy demand, and a poor guide to the dogs in American homes. The AVMA counts about 87.3 million pet dogs, covered in our dog ownership statistics.

  • Counts: AKC registrations of purebred dogs in a calendar year.
  • Excludes: mixed breeds, unregistered purebreds, dogs registered only with other registries.
  • Breeds ranked: 202 in 2025. AKC has added more than 50 breeds to its recognized list since 2000, AP reports.
  • Not included: designer crosses such as goldendoodles, which AKC does not register as breeds.
  • Release timing: usually March, covering the previous calendar year.
Use the AKC list to say which purebreds are most registered. Do not use it to say which dogs are most common in the US.

Popular breeds also show up in insurance and shelter data. See our pet insurance statistics and shelter and adoption statistics for those angles.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular dog breed in the US in 2025?

The French Bulldog, according to AKC registration statistics released in March 2026. It has been No. 1 for four years in a row, from 2022 to 2025. The Labrador Retriever is second.

How long was the Labrador Retriever the most popular dog?

The Labrador Retriever was No. 1 in AKC registrations for 31 consecutive years, from 1991 to 2021. The French Bulldog overtook it in AKC's 2022 rankings.

What are the top 10 dog breeds in America?

AKC's 2025 top 10 is the French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Dachshund, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog. The Cane Corso is 11th.

When did the French Bulldog become No. 1?

In AKC's 2022 rankings, announced in March 2023. The breed was 14th in 2012 and 11th in 2013, and AKC says registrations rose more than 1,000% over that decade.

Which dog breed is rising fastest in popularity?

Among breeds in AKC's 2025 top 40, the English Cocker Spaniel and the Cane Corso gained the most since 2015, 25 and 24 places. The Cane Corso is now 11th, up from 50th in 2013.

Which popular breeds are falling in the rankings?

The Siberian Husky fell from 12th in 2015 to 30th in 2025. The Mastiff, Boxer, Great Dane and Bulldog also lost ground over the decade.

Do AKC rankings show how many dogs of each breed exist?

No. They rank AKC registrations only, so they leave out mixed breeds, designer crosses and unregistered dogs. AKC registered about 54,000 French Bulldogs in 2025, while the AVMA counts over 87 million pet dogs of all kinds.

Are French Bulldogs becoming less popular?

In registrations, yes. AKC figures reported by the Associated Press show about 108,000 new Frenchie registrations in 2022 and about 54,000 in 2025. The breed still ranks No. 1 because no other breed registered more.

Is the Dachshund in the top five?

Yes. The Dachshund reached No. 5 in AKC's 2025 rankings, its first top-five finish since 2003. It was 13th as recently as 2017.

Methodology and limitations

We read AKC's annual press releases for the 2020 to 2025 rankings and its most popular breeds page in October 2026. We then extracted the full ranked tables from AKC's ranking pages for each year from 2013 to 2025.

Older AKC lists name breeds in plural or reversed form, such as "Retrievers (Labrador)". We matched these to current breed names before comparing years. Places gained are our own arithmetic: earlier rank minus later rank.

Climbers and fallers are limited to breeds ranked in the 2025 top 40, so that small-number breeds do not dominate. Breeds outside that group are reported only as AKC named them in its releases.

Limitations. AKC rankings reflect AKC registrations only and do not measure the total number of dogs of any breed. AKC does not release the counts behind each rank, so a one-place move can reflect a small change in registrations. The number of breeds ranked rises over time as new breeds are recognized, which slightly changes what a given rank means. Two small inconsistencies in AKC's own text are noted in the report.

Sources

  1. AKC press release, French Bulldog No. 1 for the fourth year (2025 rankings), 2025 and 2024 top 10, 2025 movers, decade movers
  2. AKC press release, French Bulldog ends Labrador's 31-year stay at the top (2022 rankings), Labrador's 31-year run, French Bulldog's rise since 2012, 1,000% registration growth
  3. AKC, Most Popular Dog Breeds (index of annual full lists), Full ranked lists for 2013 to 2025
  4. Also consulted: AKC press release, 2024 rankings, AKC press release, 2023 rankings, AKC press release, 2021 rankings, AKC press release, 2020 rankings, AKC, Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 full list, Associated Press via ABC7 New York, 2025 rankings story (Mar 19, 2026), Associated Press via ABC7 San Francisco, 2024 rankings story (Mar 18, 2025), AKC full ranking pages for 2013 to 2024.

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