America's Most Popular Dog Isn't a Breed at All
Rover's new rankings put mixed breeds first, the AKC still crowns French Bulldogs, and owners say loyalty matters more than size.
The Mixed-Breed Moment
For the first time in Rover's annual Most Popular Dog and Cat Breeds Report, non-designer mixed breeds took the top spot. The Labrador Retriever followed in second, and the golden retriever climbed to third, overtaking the goldendoodle, which had held first place the previous year but slipped to fourth. The rest of the top ten ran German Shepherds, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, dachshunds, shih tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers. The American Kennel Club's separate list tells a different story: French Bulldogs have been number one there for three consecutive years, with Labs second, goldens third, German Shepherds fourth, and poodles fifth. The AKC's rankings exclude mixed breeds entirely, which helps explain the gap. The Rover report, by contrast, counts every dog whose owner participates, so the shift reflects a broader base of pet parents, not just those who register purebreds.
The Rare and the Photogenic
At the other end of the spectrum, Rover identified the rarest dog breeds among its participants: the Japanese Spitz, the Spinone Italiano, and the Gordon Setter. These aren't breeds you'll see weekly at a dog park, and their scarcity means owners are part of a small, dedicated club. When it came to looks, though, the pit bull stole the show. Dog parents voted the pit bull the most photogenic breed and predicted it would be the most likely to trend on social media. The golden retriever and German Shepherd finished second and third, respectively. That a breed often burdened by stereotypes ranks highest for camera appeal points to how much owners value personality and expression over pedigree.
What Owners Actually Want
The Rover report also asked dog parents what they look for when choosing a new dog, and the answers are clear: loyalty dominates. Sixty-seven percent of respondents described loyalty as the most desirable trait or characteristic in a potential pet. Size came next, with 58% naming it a priority. These numbers suggest that while breed popularity fluctuates, the underlying criteria remain stable. A mixed breed or a purebred, a giant or a pocket-sized pup—owners want a dog that sticks close and fits their space. The findings align with the shift toward mixed breeds, which often combine the best temperament traits of multiple lines. They also explain why French Bulldogs and golden retrievers, both known for affectionate, people-oriented natures, stay near the top of the AKC's list. The desire for loyalty may even outweigh the costs and challenges of specific breeds, from grooming to health issues.
Cats Have Their Own Charts
On the feline side, the American Shorthair took the top spot in Rover's report, edging out the domestic shorthair, which had won last year, and the domestic longhair in third. The rarest cats are the Ural Rex, Suffolk, and Sokoke—breeds most pet owners will never meet. The Maine Coon earned the title of most photogenic cat breed. When cat parents were asked what mattered most, 71% said cuddliness was the desired personality trait, while 32% cited temperament and appearance as the most important factors. That cuddliness outranks looks by a wide margin suggests that even among cat lovers, the bond of affection outweighs any aesthetic preference.
Compiled from published reference material: www.petsradar.com
