Top Dogs (and Underdogs): Most Popular Dog Breeds in America (2020)

In this episode of Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives, we explore the dog breeds that ranked on both ends of the spectrum of AKC’s statistics for breed popularity in 2020. Dog breeds say a lot about America. Popular culture, urban sprawl, and economics are some of the many factors that can influence people to choose one breed over another. Sometimes the rise of certain breeds can be linked to a canine character in a book, television series, or movie. But, remember, “most popular” doesn’t mean “better.” We explore breeds at the top of the list and the “underdogs” at the other end of the list that share traits and purpose.

Bonafide Bits
• A Labrador Retriever (No. 1) has topped the AKC’s most popular list since 1991. (Producer's note: The French Bulldog finally eclipsed the Labrador after 31 years of reigning supreme.)
• In the late 1800s, the Golden Retriever (No. 4) was developed by Dudley Marjoribanks as the ideal gun dog.
• The Harrier (No. 190), a hunting powerhouse, is rare today but has been part of America since colonial times.
• The rare Chinook (No. 186) was bred with similar intent to the mischievous Siberian Husky (No. 16) and is the state dog of New Hampshire.

Featured Breeds

Labrador Retriever
The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever was America’s most popular dog breed for over 30 years. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium-to-large dog. Labs are famously friendly. They are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and they socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike. But don’t mistake his easy-going personality for low energy: The Lab is an enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercise like swimming and marathon games of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit. Discover more about Labrador Retrievers: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrad...

French Bulldog
The one-of-a-kind French Bulldog, with his large bat ears and even disposition, is one of the world’s most popular small-dog breeds, especially among city dwellers. The Frenchie is playful, alert, adaptable, and completely irresistible. Discover more about French Bulldogs: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french...

German Shepherd Dog
There are many reasons why German Shepherd Dogs stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones. German Shepherd Dogs will be gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but, the breed standard says, there’s a “certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.” Discover more about German Shepherd Dogs: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german...

Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and fieldwork, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work. Discover more about Golden Retrievers: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden...

Bulldog
Kind but courageous, friendly but dignified, the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose “sour mug” face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. These docile, loyal companions adapt well to town or country. Discover more about Bulldogs: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/

Flat-Coated Retriever
The Peter Pan of the Sporting Group, the forever-young Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog of relatively recent origin. Happy, self-assured, and willing to please, a good Flat-Coat will retrieve a duck or a show ribbon with equal aplomb. A Flat-Coat will stand as tall as a Labrador Retriever, but in silhouette, they present a leaner, more elegant look. Dogdom's champion tail-waggers, Flat-Coats are among the happiest of all breeds. They mature slowly; some owners say that they never grow up at all, retaining a puppyish taste for rambunctious mischief into old age. This can be either delightful or exasperating, depending on your tolerance for such antics. This highly energetic breed requires lots of outdoorsy exercise. Discover more about Flat-Coated Retrievers: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-c...