The most popular dog breeds in the world

Dogs are the most popular choice of animal companions for humans worldwide. They are part of families worldwide, but the interest in each dog breed changes over time.

The most precise way of knowing which dog breeds are the most popular is to look at the puppy registry in kennel clubs. The US, UK, and Canada kennel clubs update their lists yearly.

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The French bulldog appears in the first or second places on those lists in Canada, the US, and the UK. The dog breed has become one of the most popular in the world in recent years.

The Labrador retriever competes for first place with the French bulldog; it appears at the top of the lists in Canada, the US, and the UK.

Unlike the Labrador retriever and the French bulldog, the Golden Retriever appears in all four lists, including the Australian, made by the specialized outlet Petpost. It is ideal for families.

German shepherds are among the top five in Canada, the US, and Australia. The breed is ideal for special training, which is why it is widespread in the canine division of the police and military.

Photo: Cheryl Cox / Unsplash

Poodles also appear in the Canadian and American lists. The poodle is considered a high-value and elegant breed; it extends from the houses of aristocrats to the general public.

Whereas the US and Canada have identical lists, Australia has a different taste in dogs. The top five in the southern hemisphere country hold other breeds.

According to Petpost, the cavoodle is the most popular breed in Australia. Still, the kennel council does not recognize the cross between a miniature poodle and a cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Border collies are Australia's third most popular breed, below the Golden retriever. The Australian Kennel Council did not recognize the energetic breed until 1994, but its popularity increased quickly.

The Australian Shepperd is the fourth most popular dog breed in Australia, over the German shepherd. Despite their name, these dogs are not native to the southern hemisphere country.

The UK's list is more similar to the American and Canadian ones, especially in the two top positions. But it still shows a different preference in breeds.

According to Statista, based on information from the UK's kennel club, the cocker spaniel is the third most popular breed in the country, behind the Labrador retriever and the French bulldog.

Fourth place goes to the miniature smooth-haired dachshund. According to the UK Kennel Club, this dog helps chase badgers or rabbits to the ground when hunting.

Photo:  Congerdesign / Pixabay dog

In fifth place among the UK's most popular breeds is the bulldog. According to the UK Kennel Club, the British breed is famous as a family companion for its great character and loyalty.

Despite the differences in the lists of the UK and Australia, the most popular dog breeds worldwide are homogenized, with the French bulldog and Labrador retriever ahead.

That homogenization can be an issue when preserving native breeds over other popular dogs. Some dog breeds are endangered or on watch lists.

The UK Kennel Club, for example, has a list of endangered national breeds, which they update every time the registry of a dog type becomes dangerously low.

The list has vulnerable native 34 species, the Kennel Club explained in a press release. The club also listed eight more as "At Watch" due to the few individuals.

The UK Kennel Club warned that there are more endangered dog breeds now than ever. "There were just 27 vulnerable dog breeds a decade ago," Bill Lambert, the club spokesperson, said in a press release.

Lambert spoke about the list last year because the Wire Fox Terrier joined the vulnerable group. The dog breed was the most popular in Britain in the previous century but is now endangered.

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