America's 5 Top Dogs

The Frenchie still reigns supreme, but the dachshund cracks the top 5 breeds, says AKC
Posted Mar 18, 2026 12:47 PM CDT
America's Most Popular Dog Breeds
A Dachshund arrives for the first day of the annual Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England, Thursday, March 5, 2026.   (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Americans love their dogs, but they apparently love some more than others. The American Kennel Club is out with its annual rankings of our most popular breeds, reports Today, and while the French bulldog is hanging onto the throne it seized in 2023, the wee dachshund is suddenly the hot dog on its heels. A look at the leaderboard, per the AP:

  1. French bulldog: Their run may be in danger, with only about half as many new registrations last year as in 2024.
  2. Labrador retriever: America's No. 2 pooch held the top spot for an incredible 31 years.
  3. Golden retriever: Per the AP, "Everyone loves them."
  4. German Shepherd Dog: Also per the AP, "Everyone respects them."
  5. Dachshund: The sausage dog enters the top 5 for the first time in more than two decades. "They're amusing to look at. They're also very expressive dogs—they let you know what they're thinking," says one longtime breeder.
Times change
  • 25 years ago: Yorkshire terriers were No. 6, and Frenchies were No. 64.
  • 50 years ago: Saint Bernards were the seventh most prevalent breed. Last year, they were 63rd.
  • 100 years ago: In the 1920s, the top 10 included three breeds that are still there today: German shepherds, beagles and bulldogs.

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