Most Popular Dog Breeds by State

We know your dog is the most popular breed in your house, but what does the rest of America think? If your dog happens to be a Labrador retriever, you’re in luck. Labs, according to the American Kennel Club, have been voted the most popular dog breed in the United States for a whooping 31 years in a row. They are closely followed by German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.  You’ll see that almost all 50 states hold these dogs in their top three.

Some breeds are popular because they are hypoallergenic dog breeds. Others because they make great service dogs or are great with kids. Or they are just too darn cute! Whether you are thinking of a puppy or a dog, continue reading to find out what dog breeds are the most popular in your state! 

Alabama: Labrador retriever, German shepherd, beagle 

Beagles are ranked highly in Alabama because of their hunting ability, a hobby that is common in the state. Beagles are in the top three favorites in multiple southern states where hunting is popular.  

Alaska: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Labs are the number one favorite in Alaska because of their versatility, temperament and love for water.

 Arizona: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Arizona’s top three picks are similar to the rest of the country. They are also a big fan of pit bulls, a breed that isn’t registered with the American Kennel Club.  

Arkansas: Labs, German shepherds, beagles 

The Lab is the number one favorite dog breed in Arkansas, followed by the German shepherd, and then beagles. 

California: Labs, French bulldogs, German shepherds 

French bulldogs are the most popular dog breed in some of the major cities in California like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. For the entire state the Labrador retriever beats out our beloved Frenchies. 

Colorado: Rescue dogs / Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Colorado’s favorite unofficial dog breeds are rescue dogs. Their official list includes Labs, German shepherds, and goldens 

Connecticut: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Connecticut follows a similar trend to most other states, but they also love their Australian shepherds, who were ranked fourth for the state. 

Delaware: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers

Delaware named the golden retriever as their official state dog in 2016, despite coming in third for their most popular dog breeds.  

Florida: German shepherd, Labs, Golden retrievers 

German shepherds hold the number one spot in Florida, followed by Labs and goldens. According to the AKC, West Palm Beach’s favorite dog is the French bulldog. 

Georgia: Labs, German shepherds, beagles

Although Georgia’s favorite dog breeds are Labs, German shepherds, and beagles, the state also loves their bulldogs and even proposed that a bulldog be their official state dog in 2016. This was likely proposed to honor the bulldog mascot of the University of Georgia.  

Hawaii: French bulldog, Lab, Rottweiler  

Hawaii’s picks stray a little from the norm, with Frenchies being their favorite dog breed followed by Labs and Rottweilers. Rottweilers may look intimidating. They are very intelligent and have a great work ethic, making them a popular breed. 

Idaho: Labs, Golden retrievers, German shepherds 

The Lab is the number one most popular dog breed in the state of Idaho, followed by goldens and then German shepherds. This state also loves border collies! 

Illinois: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Labs, German shepherds, and goldens all make the top three for Illinois according to the AKC, but that may change in the years to come. Frenchies, rottweilers, Siberian huskies, and Doberman pinschers are all on the rise in this state. 

Indiana: German shepherds, Labs, Golden retrievers 

Surprisingly, Labs are not the favorite pick in the Hoosier state! German shepherds were picked first, then Labs, and then goldens for Indiana. 

Iowa: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

According to the AKC, Iowa has Labs, German shepherds, and goldens as their top three dog breeds. 

Kansas: Labs, German shepherds, bulldogs 

Although they didn’t quite make it into the top three, the people of Kansas love their Cairn terriers, the dog breed in the original Wizard of Oz film.  

Kentucky: Beagle 

Kentucky only had one breed listed for their pick: beagle.  

Louisiana: Catahoula leopard dog 

The Catahoula leopard dog has been Louisiana’s official state dog since 1979 and is believed to be the first breed developed in North America. It’s no wonder they are Louisiana’s favorite breed! 

Maine: Labs, Golden retrievers, German shepherds 

Although Maine is more of a cat state, they also enjoy their Labs, goldens, and German shepherds. 

Maryland: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Maryland was the first state to announce an official state dog. They chose the Chesapeake Bay retriever in 1964. Although this breed didn’t make it into the top three, people from Maryland are very loyal to the breed.  

Massachusetts: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Although Massachusetts has similar picks to many other states, they also love their Boston terriers, the first purebred dog in the United States.  

Michigan: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Michigan can get quite cold in the winter, which is why Siberian Huskies are in the top five of their popularity list behind Labs, German shepherds, and goldens.  

Minnesota: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Minnesota picked the top three breeds, but they also enjoy English springer spaniels and German shorthaired pointers.  You may also be interested in the Tibetan Spaniel.

Mississippi: Labs, beagles, German shepherds 

In Mississippi, beagles are more popular than German shepherds. This state also loves Newfoundlands because they are natural search and rescue dogs.  

Missouri: Labs, German shepherds, French bulldogs 

Here Frenchies make the top three and Australian cattle dogs get an honorary mention.  

Montana: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

The top three picks for Montana make sense, as all three breeds love the outdoors! 

Nebraska: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Unsurprisingly, Nebraska voted Labs, German shepherds, and Golden retrievers as their top three dog breeds. 

Nevada: Labs, bulldogs, German shepherds 

In Nevada, while Labs come in first, bulldogs follow closely behind in second place and goldens don’t even crack the top three! 

New Hampshire: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

New Hampshire’s state dog is the Chinook, a type of sled dog, but their top three voted dog breeds were the usual picks.  

New Jersey: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Besides their top three, New Jersey also loves their Yorkshire terriers, boxers, poodles, bulldogs, and Rottweilers, who all made it in their top ten.  

New Mexico: Labs, Golden retrievers, bulldogs 

When it came to choosing a state dog, New Mexico went with the Chihuahua. However, their most popular breeds are Labs, goldens, and bulldogs. 

New York: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

If it were up to New York City, Frenchies would be the top pick. However, the state as a whole chose Labs, German shepherds, and goldens for their favorite breeds. 

North Carolina: Labs, German shepherds, beagles 

Although their state dog is the Plott Hound, a breed that is not well-known, North Carolina’s picks for favorite dog breeds are some of the classic, very well-known breeds.  

North Dakota: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

There’s a reason Labs, German shepherds, and goldens keep making the top three – you can’t help but love them! North Dakota follows suit with many other states in their top breed picks. 

Ohio: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Although Ohio named Labs, German shepherds, and goldens as their top three, this state is also a huge fan of mixed breeds. 

Oklahoma: Labs, German shepherds, bulldogs 

Oklahoma loves their bulldogs, but not quite as much as their Labs and German shepherds.  

Oregon: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Oregon is beginning to adopt more and more mixed breeds. Labradoodles are becoming very popular in this state. As for purebreds, Oregon voted Labs, German shepherds, and goldens as their top three. 

Pennsylvania: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

The state dog in Pennsylvania is the Great Dane, a large breed that can grow to stand at almost three feet tall.  

Rhode Island: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

According to the AKC, Rhode Island favors their Labs, German shepherds, and goldens 

South Carolina: Labs, German shepherds, beagles 

South Carolina is a fan of active dogs, voting Labs, German shepherds, and beagles as their top three.  

South Dakota: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

South Dakota is starting to pick up on the border collie trend, like many other ranch-heavy states. However, for this year they still chose Labs, German shepherds, and goldens as their top three choices. 

Tennessee: Labs, German shepherds, beagles 

Tennessee didn’t want to branch out from the other states and kept the trend going with Labs, German shepherds and beagles as their top picks.  

Texas: Labs, German shepherds, bulldogs 

The official state dog in Texas is the Blue Lacy, but their top breeds are Labs, German shepherds, and bulldogs. 

Utah: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Per the AKC, Utah’s favorite breeds are Labs, German shepherds, and goldens. 

Vermont: Labs, beagles, Golden retrievers 

In a surprising twist, Vermont voted beagles as their number two over the usual pick of German shepherd or golden retriever.  

Virginia: Labs, German shepherds, beagles 

Virginia’s state dog, the American foxhound, is one of the rarest of America’s native dog breeds. This breed is very friendly and was originally bred for foxhunting. However, AKC states that their most popular breeds are Labs, German shepherds, and beagles. 

Washington: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Although Labs, German shepherds, and goldens were voted as the three favorite breeds in Washington, they also love their Siberian huskies.  

West Virginia: German shepherds, beagles, Labs 

West Virginia is one of the five states with the most dog owners per capita. This state voted German shepherds as their number one breed, followed by beagles, and then Labs.  

Wisconsin: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

Labs, German shepherds, and goldens are the top three breeds in the cheese state! 

Wyoming: Labs, German shepherds, Golden retrievers 

For Wyoming’s rankings, Labs, German shepherds, and goldens all make their top three. However, they are also beginning to pick up on the border collie trend as their popularity there has been rising significantly over the past few years.  

Although all dog breeds are great in their own unique ways, it seems like there are a few specific breeds that have captured America’s hearts. Labs, German shepherds, golden retrievers, beagles, and bulldogs consistently made the top three picks throughout all 50 states!

As much as we all love dogs, don’t forget to spay or neuter your dogs to help every dog find a home.

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