Most popular dog breed of 2025 in US: It's not Golden Retriever
A recent study has revealed that 45.5% of households in America own a dog. Here’s all about the most popular dog breed in the country in 2025.
Dogs are truly man's best friend, and a recent study by the American Pet Product Association has revealed that approximately 68 million households in America have a dog.
In 2025, the dog breed you are most likely to find in American households is the Labrador Retriever, as reported by the U.S. News & World Report. The Labrador Retriever reclaimed the top spot, moving ahead of Chihuahuas, which was ranked No. 1 last year. They are dependable family dogs, easy to train and very affectionate.
Golden Retrievers are placed at No. 3. American Pit Bull Terriers climbed to No. 4, up from eighth. German Shepherds are placed fifth in the list with the French Bulldogs at No. 6. Goldendoodles are at No. 7, Shih Tzus are at No. 8 and Yorkshire Terriers are ranked ninth. In 10th place, we have the Dachshunds.
State-by-state breakdown
The Labrador Retriever remains on top across 17 US states and is tied in another. But regional differences stand out. In California and Hawaii, Chihuahuas and mixed breeds dominate. Alaska has the Alaskan Husky tied for third. Here’s the breakdown of the top three breeds in every state for 2025:
Alabama: Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, American Pit Bull Terrier
Alaska: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Labrador mix/Alaskan Husky (tie)
Arizona: Chihuahua, French bulldog, Labrador Retriever
Arkansas: Chihuahua, American Pit Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever
California: French Bulldog, Chihuahua, Chihuahua mix
Colorado: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua
Connecticut: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Chihuahua
Delaware: Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Florida: French Bulldog, Chihuahua, Goldendoodle
Georgia: American Pit Bull Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua
Hawaii: Chihuahua mix, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog
Idaho: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle
Illinois: German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever
Indiana: German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever
Iowa: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Kansas: Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever
Kentucky: Chihuahua, American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd
Louisiana: American Pit Bull Terrier, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua
Maine: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier
Maryland: Labrador Retriever, Shih Tzu, American Pit Bull Terrier
Massachusetts: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle
Michigan: American Pit Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever
Minnesota: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier
Mississippi: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever
Missouri: American Pit Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, German Shepherd
Montana: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd
Nevada: Chihuahua, Chihuahua mix, French bulldog
New Hampshire: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
New Jersey: Shih Tzu, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog/Labrador Retriever(tie)
New Mexico: Chihuahua, Chihuahua mix, American Pit Bull Terrier
New York: Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, German Shepherd
North Carolina: American pit bull terrier, Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever
North Dakota: Golden Retriever/Goldendoodle (tie), Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd
Ohio: American Pit Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Oklahoma: Chihuahua, American Pit Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever
Oregon: Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever
Pennsylvania: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier
Rhode Island: Chihuahua, Shih tzu, Labrador Retriever
South Carolina: Labrador Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier, Chihuahua
South Dakota: Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua, German Shepherd
Tennessee: American Pit Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua
Texas: Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever
Utah: Labrador Retriever, Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever
Vermont: Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever(tie), Labrador mix, Chihuahua mix
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Virginia: Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Washington: Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua, Golden Retriever
Washington, D.C.: Labrador Retriever, Goldendoodle, American Pit Bull Terrier
West Virginia: Chihuahua, American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd
Wisconsin: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Wyoming: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier
The Labrador Retriever remains the most preferred dog breed in American households, and that loyalty is not changing anytime soon.
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FAQs:
What is the most popular dog breed in the US in 2025?
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed nationwide in 2025.
Which breeds round out the top three?
Chihuahuas are at No. 2, and Golden Retrievers are at No. 3.
Which breed made the top 10 list for the first time this year?
The Dachshund entered at No. 10.
