Common dog breeds

Rank is AKC 2025 registration. Size and energy are our catalog.

1. French Bulldog — small · 16-28 lbs · energy 2/5
2. Labrador Retriever — large · 55-80 lbs · energy 5/5
3. Golden Retriever — large · 55-75 lbs · energy 4/5
4. German Shepherd — large · 50-90 lbs · energy 5/5
5. Dachshund — small · 16-32 lbs · energy 3/5
6. Poodle (Standard) — large · 45-70 lbs · energy 4/5
7. Beagle — small · 20-30 lbs · energy 4/5
8. Rottweiler — large · 80-135 lbs · energy 4/5
9. German Shorthaired Pointer — large · 45-70 lbs · energy 5/5
10. Bulldog — medium · 40-50 lbs · energy 2/5

AKC: 202 breeds were counted in 2025. French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Beagle, and Rottweiler held the same rank as 2024. Dachshund moved from No. 6 to No. 5; Poodle from No. 5 to No. 6. German Shorthaired Pointer and Bulldog swapped 9 and 10.

AKC is the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs and ranks breeds from last year’s registrations. A breed can be widely loved and still sit lower if fewer litters are registered. A mixed-breed dog at a shelter is common in real life and does not appear on this chart.

AKC notes that a breed moving down the list does not always mean it became less popular—another breed may have moved up. Check the latest release; this page cites 2025.

French Bulldog (No. 1): fourth year at the top. AKC: from No. 14 in 2012 to No. 1 in 2022; recognized 1898; size and adaptability, including cities and apartments. Our catalog: 16-28 lbs · energy 2/5 · health topics include Breathing Problems, Hip Dysplasia, Eye Problems, Skin Allergies. Frenchie profile

Labrador Retriever (No. 2): AKC: No. 1 from the 1990s until 2022 (a 31-year run). Our catalog: 55-80 lbs · energy 5/5 · Highly energetic breed requiring 1-2 hours of vigorous exercise daily. Training note: Extremely intelligent and trainable. Often used as service and therapy dogs. Lab profile

Golden Retriever (No. 3): our catalog 55-75 lbs · energy 4/5 · Requires regular brushing (2-3 times per week) to prevent matting. Sheds heavily twice a year. Deeper guide: Golden Retrievers.

German Shepherd Dog (No. 4): our catalog 50-90 lbs · energy 5/5 · Highly trainable and eager to learn. Excel in obedience, protection, and service work. Working cousins: police dog breeds, service dogs.

AKC 2025: Cane Corso is No. 11 (up from 14 in 2024). Border Collie rose from 30 to 26. Pomeranian 22 to 19. Miniature American Shepherd 24 to 28; Siberian Husky 26 to 30. Boston Terrier has sat at No. 23 since 2023; Havanese at 25.

11. Cane Corso · energy 4/5
12. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel · energy 3/5
13. Yorkshire Terrier · energy 3/5
14. Australian Shepherd · energy 5/5
15. Doberman Pinscher · energy 4/5
16. Pembroke Welsh Corgi · energy 4/5
17. Miniature Schnauzer · energy 4/5
18. Boxer · energy 4/5
19. Pomeranian · energy 4/5
20. Bernese Mountain Dog · energy 3/5
21. Shih Tzu · energy 2/5
22. Great Dane · energy 3/5
23. Boston Terrier · energy 3/5
24. Chihuahua · energy 3/5
25. Havanese · energy 3/5
26. Border Collie · energy 5/5
27. English Springer Spaniel · energy 4/5
28. Miniature American Shepherd · energy 5/5
29. Shetland Sheepdog · energy 4/5
30. Siberian Husky · energy 5/5

Popularity means more trainers, rescues, and published health notes—and more backyard breeding of whatever is trendy. Ask for health tests relevant to the breed. Our Frenchie and Bulldog cards list breathing problems; Labs list hip dysplasia and obesity. Rank does not cancel vet homework.

Match energy and home first. A No. 2 Lab is still a high-drive retriever on our card. A No. 1 Frenchie is compact, not a hiking specialist. Compare in Compare, filter family dogs or apartments, or take the quiz.