Are you curious about the most popular dog breeds in the United States? How popular is your dog breed? And if you don’t own one yet, but want to adopt soon, will you choose a popular one? 

As you already know from your experience or may have heard from your friends, dogs are not just pets that express joy and happiness when they are around or when they see you coming home after a long day, these little furry friends are actually a part of the family. 

In fact, dogs are even considered by many to be furry children. So, when you are ready to adopt a dog, you should take your time to learn more about the breed’s characteristics, personality traits, needs and maintenance costs and choose the right dog breed for your lifestyle and possibilities. Of course, according to animal experts, you should know all the facts about your wanted dog breed before making a decision. 

Hence, we are here to help you make the best selection, so here is all the information you’ll need to choose a popular breed that is also right for you and your family. From Labrador Retrievers to Rottweilers, there are a lot of strong and loving personalities that are ready to conquer your soul forever. So, read on for more info!

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a strong and vocal personality that loves to bark at everything. Maybe they are just trying to talk to you because they are very intelligent animals. Even though they love to play all day and are quite active, they tend to eat more food than they actually need, so you should pay attention to their diet if you want to prevent obesity. 

“If you want to run five miles a day with your dog, corgis are probably not going to be your best bet. Running distance on those short legs is not easy!” said Ryan Boyko, co-founder of dog DNA testing company Embark. “All dogs need exercise, so if you can’t give a dog any exercise you shouldn’t get a dog. But you can certainly give corgis enough exercise in a shorter time period than a German shepherd or a pointer.”

They can get along with other pets and kids, so this dog breed is perfect for families. They have the friendliest personalities of them all, always being happy and affectionate with their parents. Of course, as we said before, food can be a good motivator for them if you want to train them.

German Shorthaired Pointers

The German shorthaired pointer is a sporting dog breed that loves to hunt. They are very active animals, so they should exercise at least one hour every day without a leash. 

“If you’re a runner or an outdoorsy family that loves to go hiking often, these can be really great dogs that can keep up with you,” Boyko said. “But if you’re not a family or person who is getting tons of exercise outdoors, you’ll wanna definitely think twice.”

“Pointers can be really great dogs. But if you don’t give them enough exercise, it’s just like having a kid who doesn’t get enough exercise. They’ll keep themselves busy in other ways — and you might not like it,” he said.

This dog breed is generally healthy, but they are also prone to some diseases, such as Von Willebrand’s Disease. “So if you have a pointer, it’s really helpful to get the dog a genetic test. If they have an accident and need surgery, it can be lifesaving for a vet to know how important it is to limit that bleeding,” said Boyko.

Rottweilers

Rottweilers are also police dogs and serve in the military because they are considered guard dogs. However, this beautiful dog breed has a strong and loving personality, being friendly and very affectionate with their families. 

According to animal experts, people who want to adopt a Rottweiler as a pet will have a faithful and loving friend for life. The Rottweiler is one of the most intelligent dog breeds that need a lot of exercises as well. 

“With the right environment, they can be great dogs for a wide variety of people and situations,” Boyko said.  

Moreover, this dog breed requires early socialization and training. Unfortunately, people who fear this dog breed tend to have a discriminatory behavior based on many prejudices and stereotypes. However, just like any other dog, Rottweilers are not dangerous at all if they are well trained. 

Beagles

Beagles are active and intelligent animals that can get along with other pets and people of all ages as well. Being stubborn sometimes, they require special training methods and patience. This dog breed is also known for being super curious, so they are very euphoric when they find an interesting scent. 

“They use it when hunting, that’s what it was selected for. It’s fun if you’re hunting with a dog, but it can get you in some trouble if you’re living in the city,” said Boyko. “It depends very much on the dog. Different dogs will talk more than others and it’s certainly something that can be trained, but it’s something to keep in mind.”

They get bored if left alone, so they will dig in your garden to escape. In fact, you shouldn’t leave your dog alone for too long, especially in your yard, because there are thieves who steal Beagles to sell them for experiments. 

Beagles are generally healthy, but they are prone to certain diseases, such as intervertebral disk disease, hip dysplasia, cherry eye, glaucoma and so on. 

“Most beagles have a risk for IVD [intervertebral disk disease]. The same genetic mutation that causes them to have shorter legs also leads to an increased risk for slipped discs,” Boyko said. “You have to watch how they’re jumping around,” he added. “Don’t let your dog jump from high places. Things like a ramp for your bed can also be very helpful.”

Poodles

Not only are they elegant and graceful, but Poodles are also very intelligent animals. “You can get all sorts of flavors of poodles,” Boyko said. “And it’s thought that they generally all share trainability and intelligence.” 

They tend to act like the leaders of the house, especially if you spoil them and don’t focus on training as well – obedience training is recommended. Poodles are smart, loving and loyal dogs that love their family more than anything. 

People who are allergic to dogs can adopt this dog breed because they don’t shed like other dog breeds. However, “it’s not quite true to say that they’re completely hypoallergenic to everyone,” Boyko said. “But there are many people with dog allergies who are much less allergic to poodles, and won’t have any symptoms.” 

They need a lot of exercise and games to keep them active. “You need to keep them mentally engaged,” he said. “You want to give their mind positive things to do and learn to have a well-behaved poodle.”

Bulldogs

Bulldogs are perfect for families with kids, because “bulldogs can be really great companions,” Boyko said. “They’ve got a lot of love to give.” 

Even though they are purebred, many bulldogs can be found in dog shelters. So if you want to own a bulldog as a pet, try to adopt one. 

“They don’t need as much exercise as some of the other breeds, but they do need frequent bathing and care,” Boyko said. “You might not need as much space, but you definitely want to be an attentive owner. If you don’t keep them clean in between the folds, it can lead to allergies and skin problems.”

Labrador Retrievers

According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever is America’s number one breed. They are very loving and intelligent creatures that love to spend time with their families. “They’re very intelligent, but also full of love and a desire to please,” Boyko said.

“They’re really great for active families,” Boyko said. “And they’re bigger dogs, so they’re great if you’re in the suburbs. I think they’re the perfect dog for kids to grow up with.” 

One of the most important things that you have to take into consideration when adopting a Labrador retriever is to pay attention to their diet because they tend to eat more than they actually need and are more likely to become obese. So, obesity can lead to other severe diseases that could adversely affect their life. Try to make sure that they have a balanced and healthy diet and eat the same amount of food every day – not more. 

They are the friendliest dog breeds of them all, always being happy and affectionate. In general, this dog breed is healthy, but they can develop hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) over time.

German Shepherds

Now you know that the German Shepherd is one of America’s most popular dog breeds and they deserve this “gift” because they are loyal, smart and loving animals. They can be found in dog shelters as well, so you don’t need to buy one, so save a life and adopt a German shepherd. 

“German shepherds have been police dogs, and before that, they were used as shepherding dogs,” Boyko said. “They have a working dog mindset, so you really need to be able to invest in training for them to be the right dog.” 

This dog is perfect for active families who can spend time with them and play games. “They can be a great dog for you if you have an active lifestyle and want a very smart and protective dog,” he said. “But if you can’t make sure they get good training when they’re young, and keep them active, then this wouldn’t be the dog for you.”

Golden Retrievers

The Golden retriever’s loving personality, intelligence and loyalty make them wonderful for families with other pets and kids. Of course, they are perfect for people of all ages. 

“They really enjoy playing, and they tend to be very good with children,” Boyko said. “They’re also on the fairly active range, so make sure you can get them the exercise that they need.” 

They tend to shed a lot, so you have to groom them as often as possible. Golden retrievers can get bored if left alone for too long. However, if you want to adopt this dog breed you have to pay attention to their diet, because they tend to eat a lot, so this is why they are more likely to become obese. Hence, you should make sure that they follow a healthy and balanced diet. 

As you probably know, males are bigger than females and they both reach their full height by one year of age. Of course, just like any other dog, they need early socialization and training. 

Like all breeds, they are prone to develop certain health issues, such as ichthyosis – a skin disease and Von Willebrand’s Disease.

“[Ichthyosis] it’s like dander almost. It doesn’t really harm the dog and there are things you can do to help it, but it’s different from other causes of scaly and flaky coats,” said Boyko. “Knowing your dog has the genetic mutation can prevent misdiagnosis, and minimize veterinarian bills that you don’t need.”

French Bulldogs

French bulldogs are some of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and for a good reason! These beautiful creatures have a unique look and a strong personality. They don’t need a lot of exercises, but you have to walk them daily to avoid obesity. According to animal experts, French bulldogs are easy to train, being very intelligent and loyal animals. This dog breed tends to bark frequently, plus drooling and flatulence. 

Unfortunately, French bulldogs are more likely to develop hyperuricosuria and heatstroke, so try to avoid playing and exercising in the hot sun.  

“If you know that your dog has a risk for it, you can actually change their diet and generally prevent the stones,” Boyko said. “It saves a lot of pain for the dog.”