New Survey Reveals America's Favorite Dog Breed and It's Adorably Surprising

We are a country of dog lovers. Approximately two-thirds of U.S. households own a dog, and a staggering 85% of dog owners consider their pets a part of their family.

With National Dog Day upcoming on August 26, Forbes Advisor surveyed 10,000 American dog parents to find out which dog breeds are the favorites nationwide and in each state. The results are pretty surprising!

Forbes Advisor said, "As it turns out, many Americans are unbiased when it comes to dogs. The largest percentage of respondents reported that “ no breed in particular” is their favorite (13%)." The rest of the rankings from least popular to most are as follows.

America's Favorite Dog Breeds

10: Shih Tzu

Shih-Tzus are an adorable small breed , typically weighing between 9 to 16 pounds and growing up to 10.5 inches tall. This breed’s long hair requires regular grooming, with their coats ranging from white to brown. Also known as a good breed with children, the Shih-Tzu is an affectionate dog.

• Ranking the middle of the pack of our survey, Shih-Tzus fared best in North Carolina , coming in as the state's third favorite breed.

9: Boxer

Boxers are muscular, medium-sized dogs that can stand as tall as 25 inches and weigh up to 80 pounds. Their coats are typically a shade of brown and can have black and white woven in. Boxers are intelligent and loyal, with a reputation of being good with children due to their protective, yet playful nature.

8: Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are a small but athletic breed typically weighing no more than 25 pounds and can grow up to 12 inches in height. This curious breed can do well as a city dweller, always up for a walk or time at a local hangout. Boston Terriers are prone to health issues regarding their eyes and can have difficulty breathing in heat or humidity due to their flat face.

• The Boston Terrier ranked as the top dog in Delaware.

7: Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog known for their beautiful golden coat. This breed is intelligent, easy to train and a great addition to a family, as they make wonderful companions and are very friendly.

• Golden Retrievers are ranked as the most favored dog breed in Wisconsin and Michigan .
  
  
• Goldens were the second most favored dog breed in four states: Connecticut , New Hampshire, North Dakota and Vermont.
  
  
• Golden Retrievers ranked lowest in Alabama, placing the breed at No. 17.

6: Beagle

A smaller dog who’s known to be a great hunter, Beagles ranked sixth in Forbes Advisor ’s survey. A beagle has similar ears to a hound, but is typically smaller, averaging 13 to 15 inches in height and can weigh up to 30 pounds. Beagles are an energetic breed and are known to be great companions.

5: Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a hearty working dog that’s easy to train and intelligent. This large breed can be up to 27.5 inches tall and weigh as much as 115 pounds. Their coat is typically black, brown and white, with long, silky hair. The AKC recommends prospective Bernese Mountain Dog parents to request tests of the hips and elbows, as well as a degenerative myelopathy test and cardiac exam, before bringing a pup home from a breeder.

4: Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are a lovable, affectionate dog breed that make stellar companions. These dogs are athletic dogs and require a lot of exercise and activity, including fetch and swimming. When adopting a Lab, the AKC recommends to receive documentation of a hip evaluation, exercise-induced collapse test, ophthalmologist evaluation and a progressive retinal atrophy from breeders.

3: Bulldogs

Bulldogs are a distinctive breed with a short but smooth coat that comes in different shades including white, brown, a mixture of the two, or even gray and/or black. Due to their short snouts, the AKC recommends not leaving Bulldogs in the sun for too long, and always ensuring they have access to shade and water to avoid overheating and breath restriction.

• The Bulldog ranked as the top dog in eight states including Connecticut , Illinois , Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina , South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia (at times tying for the top spot with another breed).
  
  
• Slightly more men than women selected Bulldogs as their favorite dog breed (8% compared to 6%).
  
  
• Nebraska ranked Bulldogs the lowest among states, placing the breed at No. 24.

2. German Shepherd

Well-known as a highly trainable and intelligent dog, German Shepherds ranked as America’s second favorite dog breed in America. This breed is loyal and known as the most common breed to serve as search and rescue dogs and police K-9s, as well as aids in the military. This powerful breed is generally healthy, but the AKC notes German Shepherds can experience bloat, a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen, and recommends owners educate themselves on the symptoms.

• German Shepherds ranked as the top dog breed in 16 states (at times tying for the top spot with another breed).
  
  
• German Shepherds ranked as the second favorite dog breed in nine states.
  
  
• Slightly more men than women selected German Shepherds as their favorite dog breed (9% compared to 6%).

1. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are known to be highly intelligent herding dogs with high energy levels. Commonly referred to as “Aussies,” this breed’s coat comes in an array of colors, including shades of blue and red. These tireless dogs are generally in good health, but the AKC recommends prospective owners test their new Aussie for potential hip, elbow and eye conditions.

• The Australian Shepherd ranked as the top dog breed in 10 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona , Arkansas, Georgia , Indiana , Missouri, Montana, New York and Virginia (at times tying with another breed for the top spot).
  
  
• Australian Shepherds were the second favorite dog breed in nine states.
  
  
• Aussies ranked on the lower end of our study in North Dakota, coming in as the state’s fourth bottom-ranking dog breed.

Were you surprised by these rankings? Forbes also did the same survey in 2023 where Aussies took the #1 spot!

You can read the entire 2024 rankings that are also listed by state of the most popular dog breeds here .