New Survey Ranks Favorite Dog Breeds by State
A lot of homes in the United States have a dog, and approximately two-thirds of U.S. households call a canine companion a member of their family. That's 66% of US households! Dogs bring so much joy, companionship and love to our lives, and there are various reasons someone may choose one dog breed over another.
Personality, size, temperament and training ability all factor into the type of dog a person chooses, and even though a lot of us can agree all dogs are good dogs, there are certain breeds of dogs that are more popular in certain states than other dogs.
Forbes Advisor surveyed 10,000 dog owners across the country to find out which breeds rank supreme in the U.S. Their survey options encompassed the top 25 most popular breeds nationwide, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Related: Top 8 Dog Breeds in America for 2023 Revealed
German Shepherds took the top spot in 16 states.
otsphoto/Shutterstock
States like Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada and New Jersey are just some of the states that call the highly intelligent, loyal and beautiful German Shepherd their favorite breed.
Australian Shepherds took the number one spot overall.
FXQuadro/Shutterstock
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).
Related: Video Explaining Different Dog Breeds and Their Original Purpose Is Eye-opening
Bulldogs reign supreme in eight states.
Olga Aniven/Shutterstock
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). Also interesting, bulldogs ranked slightly higher with men than women for favorite breed. Bulldogs are affectionate, loyal and excellent couch potatoes.
Labrador Retrievers are also a favorite, and exactly no one is surprised.
Parilov/Shutterstock
Labrador retrievers ranked as the most favored dog breed in 10 states including Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota and West Virginia (at times tying for the top spot with another breed). Labs are so playful and affectionate, it's no wonder they are a top choice for a family dog.
Some of the lowest ranking breeds include Great Danes, Cane Corsos and Pomeranians. When Forbes surveyed why people choose a particular breed of dog, the number one reason was "I own/owned this dog breed" followed by "I think this dog would be a good companion."
You can read the entire list and see where your dog and state rank here.
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
