Top Dog Breeds of 2025

By: Ashley Ralls

The Reigning Champion—French Bulldog For the third consecutive year, the French Bulldog retains its crown as America’s most registered purebred breed in 2025. Despite their well‑documented health challenges and growing concerns around unethical breeding, their compact size, manageable grooming needs, and beloved “bat ears” make them ideal companions—especially in urban settings MarketWatch+9Big I 107.9+9The Scotsman+9AP News+1American Kennel Club+1.

Labrador Retriever—The Classic Favorite Although the Labrador Retriever’s 31‑year dominance came to an end in 2022, it continues to hold strong in second place in 2025. Known for their friendly and outgoing temperament, Labs remain favored by active families and outdoor lovers alike Big I 107.9iHeartDogs.comABC7 New York.

Golden Retriever—Beloved and Reliable In third place, the Golden Retriever continues its legacy as an intelligent, affectionate, and family‑friendly breed. Their versatility in service roles—therapy, guide dog, or family companion—keeps them perpetually in demand iHeartDogs.com+1The Times of India+1.

German Shepherd—Loyal and Multifunctional Ranked fourth, the German Shepherd stands out for its trainability, protective instincts, and performance in roles like search and rescue, police work, and service duties. With early socialization, they thrive as devoted family guardians iHeartDogs.com+1Wikipedia+1.

Poodle—Smart, Stylish, and Hypoallergenic Holding fifth place across the rankings, Poodles are prized for their high intelligence, low‑shedding coats, and adaptability (Standard, Miniature, or Toy). While they require regular grooming and enrichment, they excel in obedience and canine sports stacker.com+3iHeartDogs.com+3Wikipedia+3.

Other Top Contenders—Dachshund, Beagle, Bulldog, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer From sixth to tenth in popularity are the Dachshund, Beagle, Bulldog, Rottweiler, and German Shorthaired Pointer. These breeds cover a range of lifestyles—from compact and spirited (Dachshund, Bulldog) to energetic and working (Beagle, Rottweiler, GSP)—each offering distinct traits that match different owner preferences iHeartDogs.comBig I 107.9ABC7 New York.

Rising Star—Cane Corso’s Surging Popularity While outside the top ten, the Cane Corso deserves attention for an astonishing rise—from nearly 50th to 14th in AKC rankings over the past decade. This large guardian breed has caught the eye of dedicated dog owners, although breeders emphasize that its temperament and training needs make it suited only for committed matches Country Living+3AP News+3ABC7 New York+3.

Trends and Ethics—What the Rankings Reveal The consistency of the top five—French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Poodle—reflects enduring owner demand for temperament, trainability, and companionship. Yet the spotlight on breeds like the Cane Corso highlights emerging tastes. Importantly, these trends also fuel a broader conversation: while popularity boosts visibility, animal‑welfare groups warn that breed standards favoring extreme traits (like short snouts or long backs) can exacerbate health issues—a concern underscored by recent legal challenges to AKC policies The Times of India+2AP News+2AP News+2.