The Most Popular Dog Breeds Over Time
It may be no surprise that we are living in the age of the Labrador Retriever. These popular pups have topped the most popular breed list for nearly two decades. But what about the other breeds? And what about hybrids and mixed breeds?
We decided to look into those too. By looking into the birth years of dogs in the Trupanion database born between 2001 and 2016 across North America, Trupanion’s data team was able to identify trends in dog breed popularity over the past 15 years.
Top Dogs
Similar to what popular breeds the AKC has seen, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds frequently rank toward the top of the list. Knocking the Lab out of the top spot, mixed breeds ranked as top dog every year for the past 15 years.
Other popular breeds include the Yorkie, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahua.
Up-and-Coming Dog Breeds
Our data showed a few up-and-comers that you may have seen around your neighborhood. This includes the Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Doodles and Frenchies didn’t even appear in the top 50 breeds until about 10 years ago, in 2005, but quickly rose to the top 10.
Keep a close eye on Miniature Australian Shepherds—they reached the top 50 in 2013 and are quickly climbing to the top 20. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 2015. Not seen on these graphs, Portuguese Water Dogs have also climbed near the top 50 since the Obama family adopted Bo in 2008.
Old Favorites
A few breeds have been losing steam over the past 15 years. This includes the Cocker Spaniel, Jack Russel Terrier, and Dachshund. This doesn’t mean they won’t make a comeback in the next decade.
Pop Culture influences of Popular Breeds
When looking at the data, we noticed a few interesting trends and coincidences.
The Chihuahua, while it has always been popular, seemed to be at its peak between 2001 and 2010. These also happened to be the years Legally Blonde came out—with Bruiser the Chihuahua—and Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, was getting national attention on the Simple Life, between 2003-2007.
Jack Russell Terriers may have also seen the influence of movies and pop culture. The breed was popular until about 2005 and then their rank dropped off—which happened to be soon after the last episode of Frasier aired in 2004, which featured Eddie the Jack Russell, also referred to the “Lassie of the 90’s.” The breed started the millennium strong on the tailcoats of Wishbone and release of My Dog Skip in 2000.
Is your favorite breed a top dog, up-and-comer, old favorite, or still under the radar?
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About The Author
Kathryn M.
Kathryn works at Trupanion alongside her little sidekick, a rescued Papillion mix named Modie. She loves all animals big and small but is a dog enthusiast at heart. By the third grade, she had memorized every dog breed and their characteristics and dreamed of being an agility dog trainer or the next Steve Irwin. When not at Trupanion, Kathryn spends her time playing soccer, baking cookies, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her little sidekick.
I had a Tibetan Terrier, Casey, very good dog,very smart, lived to be 11, healthy every day then one day had a stroke,about killed my mother and I
It was 8years before the heart could open for another.
My new love, Knox, a labradoddle, has all the love my Casey had but even more, my heart glows…very smart, loving and always there to please. I want up
another one. Life without a pet is nothing!
What about Pomeranions especially miniature ones. I know many people own them and love them!
Great question, Hal! According to our data, Pomeranians are definitely one of the more popular breeds. They have stayed in the top 20 until this year, when they dropped to #21.
It sooo upsets me that Shelties are never on the top of the list !!! They are in intelligence though. I think people have misconceptions about them and they are such fabulous, loving, intelligent and sensitive dogs!
What about miniature schnauzers?
Hi Susan, the Miniature Schnauzer is another relatively popular breed that has been near the top 20 over the past 15 years. Their peak was in about 2005-2007 as #12 and they fell below the top 20 in 2011.
What about the big boys “St. Bernard’s”?
Hi Bob– Saint Bernards have not been in the top 50 over the last decade, but some other big breeds who have risen to the top 20 in the past few years are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Great Danes.
Tough to knock out the labs from the top!
Chihuahuas! Not surprising there. I figured 5 out of 7 of my neighbors have this dog.