The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Every State
Yes, we know you love your Labrador retrievers—it is, after all, the most popular dog breed in the United States for 26 years and running (followed by German shepherds and golden retrievers to round out the top three), according to the American Kennel Club. Of course, that’s just the “popular vote.” When you break it down state-by-state, a different story emerges.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s top dog breed is the Frenchie, followed by the Lab, which is then followed by the Rottweiler. The breed may look intimidating, but Rottweilers have a lot going for them, including their intelligence, their endurance, and willingness to work.
Idaho
Labradors, goldens, and German shepherds top the AKC’s Idaho rankings of most popular dog breeds. But VetStreet takes note of a trend in Idaho, as well as several other states where the wide, open, countryside is abundant: border collies. They’re also a natural fit for the state’s many ranches. This is how to determine your dog’s energy level.
Illinois
Labradors, German shepherds, and goldens top the AKC list in Illinois, but if Chicago is any indication, Frenchies and “Rotties” are quickly gaining ground, as are Siberian huskies and Doberman pinschers (both of which made it into Chicago’s top 10 by AKC’s most recent count).
Indiana
German shepherds edge out Labs in the Hoosier State, where the golden retriever is the third most popular dog breed. But of the over 1,000 pets up for adoption at mega-adoption event that took place at the Indiana Fair Grounds, as many as half were pit bulls breeds, the Indianapolis Star estimates. After pit bulls, the most popular rescue dog breeds in Indiana are Labrador retrievers German Shepherds, boxers, bulldogs, and beagles.
Iowa
Iowa’s most popular dog breeds are Labs, German shepherds, and golden retrievers. Although that makes Iowa stand in lock-step with the AKC’s national rankings, Iowa is a pretty special place to take your canine best buddy, with all of these dog-friendly places you can visit.
Kansas
“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too,” screamed the Wicked Witch of the West in the original Wizard of Oz film about Dorothy’s adorable Cairn terrier, Toto. While not in the top three most popular dog breeds (that honor goes to Labs, German shepherds, and bulldogs), the people of Kansas have a special love for their Cairn terriers, and in 2006, a bill was introduced into the state congress that sought to make the Cairn Kansas’s official dog. Although the bill was tabled in 2012, the Cairn will always be the state’s unofficial favorite.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Humane Society calls its latest campaign “Beaglemania” for a reason, obviously, since the Bluegrass state’s number one favorite dog breed is the beagle, according to the AKC. Find out all the major health benefits dog owners reap.
Louisiana
The Catahoula leopard dog is “king” in the Bayou State, according to the Barkpost, Notably, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is believed to be the first breed developed in North America, and it’s been Louisiana’s state official state dog since 1979.
Maine
Maine loves its dogs so much that it holds a Dog Kissing Contest, according to the Bangor Daily News. But even the AKC, which counts Labs, goldens, and German shepherds as the state’s most popular dog breeds, acknowledges that Maine may be more of a “cat state” than a “dog state.” Its official state cat is the Maine Coon, America’s native longhair, which was bred to survive the hostile New England winters.
Maryland
Labradors, German shepherds, and goldens top the AKC’s favorite dog breed list for Maryland, but Maryland remains loyal to the Chesapeake Bay retriever. It became the state dog of Maryland in 1964, making Maryland the first state to designate an official state dog. According to the AKC, Chesapeake Bays are good at hunting and retrieving and do best with active, outdoor-loving families. Here’s the scientific reason your dog is helping you live longer.