PlainPetCare rankings

Most Popular Dog Breeds in America

All breeds ranked by AKC registration counts, the most-registered dog breeds nationwide.

#1
#1 · French Bulldog
140
breeds ranked
#140
#140 · Pudelpointer

The verdict

According to American Kennel Club (AKC) breed registration popularity rankings, French Bulldog leads the list at #1; the #140 cutoff to make this list is #140 (Pudelpointer).

#1
#1 · French Bulldog
#140
#140, the cutoff to make this list
140
entries ranked

The full ranking

# Name AKC Rank
1 French Bulldog small #1
2 Labrador Retriever large #2
3 Golden Retriever large #3
4 German Shepherd large #4
5 Poodle medium #5
6 Bulldog medium #6
7 Rottweiler large #7
8 Beagle medium #8
9 Dachshund small #9
10 German Shorthaired Pointer large #10
11 Pembroke Welsh Corgi medium #11
12 Australian Shepherd medium #12
13 Yorkshire Terrier small #13
14 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel small #14
15 Doberman Pinscher large #15
16 Boxer large #16
17 Miniature Schnauzer small #17
18 Cane Corso giant #18
19 Great Dane giant #19
20 Shih Tzu small #20
21 Siberian Husky medium #21
22 Bernese Mountain Dog giant #22
23 Pomeranian small #23
24 Havanese small #24
25 Shetland Sheepdog small #25
26 Boston Terrier small #26
27 Brittany medium #27
28 English Springer Spaniel medium #28
29 Cocker Spaniel medium #29
30 Miniature American Shepherd medium #30
31 Border Collie medium #31
32 Vizsla medium #32
33 Belgian Malinois large #33
34 Maltese small #34
35 Chihuahua small #35
36 Pug small #36
37 Rhodesian Ridgeback large #37
38 Bichon Frise small #38
39 Basset Hound medium #39
40 Goldendoodle medium #40
41 West Highland White Terrier small #41
42 Akita giant #42
43 Collie large #43
44 Bloodhound giant #44
45 Newfoundland giant #45
46 Samoyed medium #46
47 Irish Setter large #47
48 Miniature Poodle small #48
49 Airedale Terrier medium #49
50 Dalmatian large #50
51 St. Bernard giant #51
52 Portuguese Water Dog medium #52
53 Alaskan Malamute large #53
54 Mastiff giant #54
55 Lhasa Apso small #55
56 Papillon small #56
57 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier medium #57
58 Chinese Shar-Pei medium #58
59 Scottish Terrier small #59
60 Chow Chow medium #60
61 Italian Greyhound small #61
62 Staffordshire Bull Terrier medium #62
63 Great Pyrenees giant #63
64 Labradoodle medium #64
65 Australian Cattle Dog medium #65
66 Shiba Inu small #66
67 Whippet medium #67
68 Toy Poodle small #68
69 Jack Russell Terrier small #69
70 Greyhound large #70
71 Chinese Crested small #71
72 Standard Schnauzer medium #72
73 Giant Schnauzer giant #73
74 Old English Sheepdog large #74
75 Keeshond medium #75
76 Leonberger giant #76
77 Cockapoo small #77
78 American Staffordshire Terrier medium #78
79 Bullmastiff giant #79
80 Chesapeake Bay Retriever large #80
81 Afghan Hound large #81
82 English Setter large #82
83 Cairn Terrier small #83
84 Basenji small #84
85 Irish Wolfhound giant #85
86 Tibetan Mastiff giant #86
87 Bouvier des Flandres large #87
88 Norwegian Elkhound medium #88
89 Bedlington Terrier medium #89
90 Kerry Blue Terrier medium #90
91 American Eskimo Dog small #91
92 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon medium #92
93 Saluki large #93
94 Irish Water Spaniel large #94
95 Lagotto Romagnolo medium #95
96 Cardigan Welsh Corgi medium #96
97 Bearded Collie medium #97
98 Rat Terrier small #98
99 Coton de Tulear small #99
100 Anatolian Shepherd giant #100
101 Gordon Setter large #101
102 Clumber Spaniel large #102
103 Schipperke small #103
104 Silky Terrier small #104
105 Brussels Griffon small #105
106 Finnish Spitz medium #106
107 Welsh Terrier small #107
108 Japanese Chin small #108
109 Puli medium #109
110 Wire Fox Terrier small #110
111 Pharaoh Hound medium #111
112 Belgian Tervuren large #112
113 Black and Tan Coonhound large #113
114 Swedish Vallhund small #114
115 Smooth Fox Terrier small #115
116 Manchester Terrier small #116
117 Kuvasz giant #117
118 Belgian Sheepdog large #118
119 Borzoi large #119
120 Affenpinscher small #120
121 Briard large #121
122 Xoloitzcuintli medium #122
123 Treeing Walker Coonhound large #123
124 Dogue de Bordeaux giant #124
125 Neapolitan Mastiff giant #125
126 Dogo Argentino giant #126
127 Boerboel giant #127
128 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever medium #128
129 Barbet medium #129
130 Biewer Terrier small #130
131 Bracco Italiano large #131
132 Bergamasco Sheepdog large #132
133 Catahoula Leopard Dog large #133
134 Mudi medium #134
135 Lancashire Heeler small #135
136 Russian Toy small #136
137 Bolognese small #137
138 Berger Picard medium #138
139 Hovawart large #139
140 Pudelpointer large #140

Source: American Kennel Club (AKC) breed registration popularity rankings.

How to read this ranking

This table ranks 140 entries in the PlainPetCare dataset by akc rank. The gap between the top and bottom of this list spans #139, wide enough that a mid-list entry rarely tracks either pole closely. Rankings like this are most useful read alongside the underlying price ranges on each breed or metro page, the aggregate score hides detail that matters for individual budgeting.

To get the most out of this ranking, click through to any row for the full service-by-service breakdown. Each breed page shows a complete pricing table by size and service type, where real budgeting decisions actually get made. Aggregated ranks are useful for scanning the market; itemised tables are where you plan spend.

Frequently asked questions

How are breed popularity rankings determined?

The AKC ranks breeds by the number of dogs registered each year. This provides a reliable proxy for breed popularity, though it only counts purebred AKC-registered dogs. Mixed breeds and breeds registered with other kennel clubs are not included. The rankings update annually and can shift with cultural trends, media appearances, and changing lifestyle preferences.

Does breed popularity affect grooming availability?

Yes. Groomers in any area are most experienced with the breeds they see most often. Popular breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles are well-understood by virtually all professional groomers. Owners of rare or unusual breeds may need to seek out specialists or provide breed-specific grooming guidance to their groomer.

Explore more rankings

Most Expensive Metros Cheapest Metros Most Expensive Breeds Cheapest Breeds Most Grooming-Intensive

Related guides

How grooming prices work Regional pet-care pricing Annual pet care budget
Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Every figure on PlainPetCare is rendered directly from AKC breed data and industry pet-service pricing surveys, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on AKC breed data and industry pet-service pricing surveys, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

Sources: American Kennel Club (AKC) breed registration popularity rankings; the regional index is calibrated to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regional cost-of-living data (verify with BLS →). Read our methodology.

Disclaimer: Prices are modelled estimates for informational budgeting only and do not constitute professional advice. Confirm with a local provider before making decisions.