When it comes to dogs, our preferences tend to vary depending on several factors. These might include our past experiences or that of others. Some people provide shelter to abandoned animals, while others tend to do excessive research before buying.
When all is said and done, dog lovers might wonder about the most popular dog breeds. In case you have not asked about that before, now is your time to dig into this.
One may question – How is this popularity even determined? Well, information regarding the most popular breeds can be obtained with the help of simple statistics.
The more the number of registrations a particular breed of dog has, the more popular it will be. With time, the trend in terms of preferences has changed as potential buyers are looking for purebred puppies. This is because of an increase in awareness about this subject.
So, if you have been on the watch for the most popular dog breed, you have come to the right place. This article is an amalgamation of what you are looking for. The dog breeds have been arranged in descending order, with the most famous breed at the top. Grab yourself a snack, sit back and enjoy reading!
1. Labrador Retriever
Have you ever looked for a dog that is witty but also quite gentle at the same time? If so, a Labrador Retriever must be at the top of your preference list. This dog has a lifespan of around 10 to 12 years and is extremely friendly.
That certainly means that you do not have to worry about your friends being scared away by your dog next time. Labradors can be extremely playful and do not tend to lose their temper that easily. In terms of size and weight, male Labradors tend to weigh between 30 to 36 kgs, whereas female Labradors tend to weigh between 25 to 30 kgs.
These dogs come in three different color variants. These colors are chocolate, honey-colored and black. For all those who like to get into the nitty-gritty of everything, Labradors tend to date back to the early 1830s. Labradors came into being when water dogs were bred with the hunting dogs in Britain.
If you want to know about the primary shedding season for Labradors, they tend to shed the most during the spring and fall seasons. These dogs have double-layered coats, and you might find excessive amounts of hair or fur in your house.
Your child’s safety will not be harmed in any way when a Labrador is around them. This is because this dog is mostly a pet by family-oriented people. Labradors are a loyal breed that is quite gentle with their owners.
However, do not try to provoke them. No doubt they have a lot of patience and would not show any signs of aggression for quite some time. But they have their trigger points, so you must avoid provoking them.
If you live somewhere that demands security and your safety is at risk, a Labrador retriever would just be the solution for that. This is because they have a loud bark that can make them efficient watchdogs.
2. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are also known as Alsatians. Max von Stephanitz is to be given credit for the formation of German Shepherds. He crossbred multiple German dogs to make a German Shepherd.
Back in the 18th Century, German Shepherds were commonly known for herding sheep. These dogs have a longer lifespan than Labradors. They can survive more than 9 years but less than 13 years.
Unlike Labradors, German Shepherds tend to lose their temperament quite quickly. They can be highly moody when they want to. One minute you will find them stubborn about eating a particular type of dog food, and the next, you will find them obedient.
Considering that these dogs are used by police officials and the army, this tells us that their sense of smell is quite strong. They tend to get curious about little things and do not rest until they find their answers.
These dogs always want to go out of the house and play with you. They are also quite alert about their surroundings. They would not miss out on any animal or human walking past them. Due to this, they can be excellent watchdogs in case you are looking for one.
Training German Shepherds is more accessible than other dogs as half of the things come to them naturally. Keeping your family safe and protecting them at all costs would be their priority. These dogs might have separation anxiety, but that is only because they get easily attached to their owners.
Unlike many other dogs, the energy level of German Shepherds is relatively high. You might find them chasing other animals in your garden. On the other hand you may find them running around because they are alien to the concept of resting for some while.
These dogs tend to be the best cuddle buddies because they are affectionate. However, these cuddles are mainly for the owners. Other individuals might not want to try this if they have not been around the dog that much.
3. Bulldog
If you have ever encountered a dog with a wrinkled face and a muscular body, that was probably a bulldog. British bred, these dogs were mainly used for sports such as dog fighting. Bulldogs came into being when pugs were bred with Asiatic Mastiffs. This is where they get their facial features from.
These dogs have a shorter lifespan than other dogs as they can survive up to 10 years. After that, they fall sick and have to be put to sleep. Both female and male bulldogs have a height between 35 to 40 cm.
In terms of weight, a male bulldog weighs around 23 kg, whereas a female bulldog weighs about 18 kg. Considering that bulldogs were used for different sports such as bull-baiting, this must tell you that they are pretty efficient at being watchdogs. Their courage, despite their size, is commendable.
Out of all the bulldogs available in the market, the French bulldogs are known for their loving and playful nature. Yes, you will see them drooling 90% of the time, but their pushed-in nose will make you forget that.
Suppose you train your bulldog in the proper manner. In that case, they will not only protect you from danger but will also protect any property that might be precious to you. They have tranquil behavior, and they seldom bark in any given situation. Their life is an amalgamation of countless snores and snorts.
When trying to train this dog, negative reinforcement will not work on them as effectively as favorable reinforcement. Keep a stack of their favorite treats and watch them obey every command that comes out of your mouth. It can be a little tricky to train these dogs because they are stubborn.
Until these dogs are thoroughly trained, you must try your best not to leave them alone. They would dwell over it because they have abandonment issues which give them anxiety. They need to see their owners from time to time.
4. Poodle
Poodle, a water dog, gets its identification on the basis of different categories depending on their size. You will have to choose between a standard, miniature, and toy-sized poodle. Their life expectancy is even higher than German Shepherds despite their small size.
Poodles can live up to 15 years which is commendable if we talk about dog breeds. Suppose we are to give a proper size to the different categories of poodles. In that case, a standard-sized poodle is around 15 inches tall. On the other hand, miniature poodles are shorter than 15 inches.
A toy poodle weighs around 6.5 to 7.5 kg, whereas a miniature poodle weighs about 14 kg. Standard-sized poodles weigh about 30 kg. These weights do not vary between male and female poodles.
When an IQ test was conducted on poodles, it was discovered that these dogs are brilliant. So, they were ranked second in terms of being the most intelligent dogs around the globe. These dogs would learn from the mistakes they made in their past, which makes them quite witty.
If you do not want to put much effort into training your dog, a poodle would be the best choice. Not only that, but poodles are fun to be around as well. Their shiny eyes and slight smile would be enough to cheer you up after a long day.
You must prevent leaving them alone in the house because they do not cope well with that. Instead, they prefer to be around their owners, playing with them. Socializing with those around them comes pretty naturally. You will often find them sitting in your lap, waiting to be cuddled.
The fact that they love some quality time with their owners makes it difficult for them to be left alone and gives them separation anxiety. They feel so depraved that it starts to impact their health.
- West Highland White Terrier
The White Terriers originated from Scotland and have distinctive facial features. The outer layer of the coat of these dogs might feel rough, but the inner white layer is quite soft. This medium-sized dog survives more than poodles do.
They can easily live up to 16 years or a minimum of 12 years. You will only find a white-colored White Terrier in the market. In terms of their height, they are around 25 to 30 cm long. They weigh between 7 to 9 kgs on average, whether a male White Terrier or a female.
Unlike most dogs, these dogs do not have attachment issues. If you work 9-5 or have to leave the city often, you can purchase a White Terrier. They have minimal separation anxiety, but that does not mean they are not affectionate towards their owners.
These dogs are more frequently known as Westies and are pretty famous in those areas. If you are wondering about the price of these dogs, you can easily purchase a Westie for $1000.
Training Westie-like poodles and a few other dogs are not that difficult. They catch on to your commands quickly and adapt to their environment in a matter of a few weeks. They do not take long before learning when to stop when their owner tells them no.
One might think that because this is a double-coated dog, it would shed a lot more than other dogs. However, that is certainly not the case because they are low shedders. You can take your Westie out for a stroll for 30 minutes, and they would love you a lot more than before. A long walk around the block would be enough to refresh and energize them.
They are also not that loving like other dogs and might not know how to react if you cuddle them for too long. The male gender of a Westie, however, is more affectionate than a female Westie.
6. Dalmatian
How can we forget about the Dalmatian breed after an entire movie was based on it?
Dalmatians can be recognized from afar because of their appearance. The white coat covered with black spots of varying sizes makes it hard to miss a Dalmatian.
They originated from Dalmatia and were used as hunting dogs back in the day. They have an average lifespan of nearly 13 years with 10 years minimum. These dogs are a little too sensitive, unlike other dogs that have been discussed previously.
For their height, a female Dalmatian is around 55 to 58 cm tall, whereas a male Dalmatian is approximately 56 to 60 cm tall. This breed tends to shed more than most dogs that you will encounter. Due to this, you might think that their white coats would be thin.
However, that is not the case. The white coat that sits on them is pretty dense and thick. This shows that the dog is purebred because you do not have to worry about the quality of their coats degrading.
Moreover, Dalmatians are very obedient as well. It would take you some time to train them, but after that, you will also gain immense benefit from it. Their tall body structure allows them to do various tasks.
These dogs might lose their temper from time to time because they were initially used in war zones, which has become a part of their genes. If your neighbor has a Dalmatian, try not to provoke it because their attacks can be fearsome.
This might also tell you that Dalmatians are efficient watchdogs and would try their best to protect you and your family members. Not only are they intelligent but also quite creative. They will find new ways of doing old things, and you might not even have to command Dalmatians to do something as they can easily sense what their owners want.
7. Great Dane
If you have watched the famous cartoon series Scooby Doo, then you know what a Great Dane is. If you have always wanted to pet a large-sized dog, well, look no more. Great Dane, a dog used to hunt wild animals such as boars, was used for protection by the officials in Germany.
Despite being one of the most giant breeds, the Great Dane has a short lifespan which falls between 8 to 10 years. If you are wondering about their height, female Danes are around 70 to 85 cm tall, whereas male Danes are 75 to 90 cm tall.
Unlike other dogs, they would not walk up to you and show affection. These dogs are pretty reserved but are highly devoted when it comes to doing a task for their owners.
This might make you think that they are aggressive, but that is not true (unless you provoke them). Danes are very friendly and gentle. These are bred in various colors such as fawn, black, blue, etc.
Female Danes tend to weigh between 45 and 60 kg, whereas males weigh between 55 and 90 kg. These dogs tend to shed heavily. This is not because they have a lot of fur but because of their size, which makes it look like they shed more than other dogs.
Psychologists have proved that Danes are as bright as a three-year-old human. You can train them for different words, circumstances, and gestures, and they will take hold of it in a few weeks.
If you want a dog for safety purposes, Dane is a smart choice because it has the loudest bark of almost all the dog breeds out there. It is so deep that humans and animals can easily be scared away.
8. Maltese
If you live in a small-sized apartment and need a dog that would best suit that environment, a Maltese should be your go-to choice. This is not only because of their short height but also because they are calmer than other dogs.
Maltese can survive up to 15 years but not less than 12 years. These dogs tend to get along with children the quickest and easiest. They are family oriented and very sweet-tempered. Not only that, but these dogs are easy to train.
This is mainly because a Maltese would never say no to learning new tricks. They are always searching for treats around the house, and little acts of positive reinforcement do wonders for them. Their height is so short that they almost look like toy-sized dogs.
Maltese tend to interact with strangers calmly. They would not throw tantrums if they watched someone new entering your house. This is also why you should not purchase a Maltese if you want a watchdog because chances are they would start playing with the thief that enters your house.
Unlike most dogs, Maltese enjoy bathing and taking a long walk during warm sunny weather. Maltese are known for having excessive amounts of hair, which require a lot of care, but it might surprise you that they tend to shed less than other dogs.
9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
A dog breed often used for cattle herding tends to live up to 15 years at max and a minimum of 12 years. You can find a Welsh Corgi in various colors, such as black and white or red. These dogs are known for being extremely flexible.
Male Welsh Corgis tend to weigh around 10 to 15 kg, while female Welsh Corgis weigh between 10 to 13 kg on average. Despite their size, these dogs shed a lot throughout the year. You might find more hair in your house than on their body.
The average height of a Welsh Corgi is between 35 to 43 cm. Separation from their owners tends to affect their mental health to a great extent. They can show destructive behavior if their owners do not give them the right amount of attention.
If your family structure is such that someone stays with the children and works from home, purchasing a Welsh Corgi would be the best choice for you. There is no doubt that they bark a lot, but you can train them quickly, and a simple command of “no” would refrain that from happening. This might also tell you that these dogs are pretty intelligent.
Final Word!
So, you should not be conflicted now that you know about the most popular dog breeds around the globe. You can now come home to your cuddle partner and easily rely on them to destress you after a 9-5 shift.
Different breeds tend to suit different buyers depending on various circumstances. What matters more is how affectionate and attentive you are with your pets. Kind gestures of love from your end would make them loyal to you forever.