Americans continue to show strong interest in purebred dogs, but the latest American Kennel Club rankings highlight a notable shift: dachshunds have climbed into the top five for the first time in more than two decades, while French bulldogs remain popular as their recent surge appears to be cooling. The AKC released the rankings Wednesday, covering 202 breeds and relying on puppies and older purebreds added to the AKC’s registry last year, a process the kennel club says is voluntary.
The annual AKC list does not aim to depict the entire U.S. canine population. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates the U.S. dog population at more than 87 million, but the AKC rankings do not include mixed-breed dogs or “trendy hybrids” such as goldendoodles and Pomskies. Still, the list can matter to purebred fans and breeders, and it also remains a flashpoint for critics who argue that certain breed standards can encourage traits that affect health.
In the top 10, French bulldogs remained the leaders since 2023. The AKC’s registry added about 54,000 French bulldogs last year, about half as many as in 2023, according to the rankings. An AKC spokesperson, Brandi Hunter Munden, pointed to reasons for any change, including that breed booms can come and go—particularly in an era shaped by social media—and that some breeders may choose not to engage with the club.
Labrador retrievers held the No. 1 spot for 31 years before the rankings, while golden retrievers, German shepherds, and poodles also retained places high on the list. Beagles were the only breed to appear in the top 10 for every decade since the AKC was founded in 1884, including being No. 1 in the late 1950s. Rottweilers hovered in the top 10 for almost 15 years, and German shorthaired pointers made big gains over the last quarter-century, the kennel club said.
Dachshunds’ rise stood out in the rankings, with the breed entering the top five for the first time in over two decades. On social media, the long-bodied, short-legged breed is often shown in costumes, including Halloween outfits. Trudy Kawami, who has owned, bred and done dog sports with dachshunds since the 1980s, said the appeal includes their expressiveness, telling AP that “They’re amusing to look at. They’re also very expressive dogs — they let you know what they’re thinking,” and adding, “They make you laugh every day.”
Kawami also highlighted downsides and potential misconceptions. Research has found dachshunds have an elevated risk of a spinal disease, she said in describing the breed’s tradeoffs. She also described how the dogs’ background—bred originally to roust badgers—can shape their behavior, including that the dogs can be “very vocal,” and that if they cannot exercise their instincts through hunting or sports, they may look for “unsuitable substitutes.” Kawami said that social-media images can intensify demand and lead to a cycle in which people choose a breed without understanding its needs, adding that she feels “the minute a breed becomes popular…the whole market-supply-and-demand mechanism kicks in.”
Animal-rights groups have pushed back against the AKC’s breed standards and physical ideals, particularly for breeds that they say can face breathing or other health problems. PETA contends that breeding can lessen “needy dogs’ chance of adoption” and perpetuate unhealthy traits, and it has sued the AKC over what it calls the “breeding of deformed, unhealthy dogs.” In anticipation of this year’s popular-breeds list, PETA produced videos featuring Carol Leifer, who highlighted breathing problems that can affect short-snouted dogs and urged people not to buy them. In one clip, Leifer said, “Breeders cash in on the look, and the dogs and their guardians pay for it.”
The AKC rejected PETA’s concerns, saying it is committed to canine health. Before the release of this year’s popular-breeds list, Munden said the rankings are intended “just to satisfy public curiosity,” and not “as an encouragement to buy any type of dog.” Munden added: “No matter how you acquire your dog, do your research and make sure that a dog fits in your lifestyle,” noting that she has two mixed-breed dogs and a West Highland white terrier.
The AKC’s list also shows how newer breeds can gain visibility quickly. Since 2000, the kennel club has added more than 50 types of dog to its roster of recognized breeds, and some have become familiar to the public, including the cane corso, which the AKC ranked as the 11th most prevalent breed. The rankings also flagged movement from year to year for other breeds, including the coton de tulear, which the AKC said rose from 92nd in 2024 to 79th last year, and the American hairless terrier, which rose from No. 125 to No. 108.
At the other end of the spectrum, the AKC described the rarest breeds as relative newcomers as well. The grand basset griffon Vendeen, the sloughi and the Norwegian lundehund all joined the AKC’s registry in the last 15 years, and the harrier—recognized since 1885—was just ahead of them among the least prevalent breeds in the list. For purebred fans, the rankings can serve as both a source of pride and a point of debate, particularly as attention continues to grow on how breed popularity intersects with health concerns and breeding practices.