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The American Kennel Club’s 2025 registration-statistics ranking puts the French Bulldog first, followed by the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. These are the 2025 results, presented in 2026—not a prediction of which breeds will rank highest in 2026.
AKC’s top 10 dog breeds in its 2025 ranking
In the American Kennel Club’s ranking, the breeds appear in this order:
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd Dog
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Beagle
- Rottweiler
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Bulldog
The French Bulldog held the No. 1 position for the fourth consecutive year, according to the AKC’s announcement of its 2025 ranking.
What the ranking measures
This is a ranking based on AKC registration statistics. It is not a count of every dog in the United States, a survey of all dog owners, or a measure of which breed will suit a particular household. The AKC’s 2025 ranking article says the full list covers 202 breeds.
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What changed from the 2024 ranking?
Several breeds traded places near the middle and end of the top ten. These are changes in rank; the AKC’s comparison does not establish why they occurred.
| Breed | 2024 rank | 2025 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dachshund | No. 6 | No. 5 | Up one place |
| Poodle | No. 5 | No. 6 | Down one place |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | No. 10 | No. 9 | Up one place |
| Bulldog | No. 9 | No. 10 | Down one place |
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog made its first appearance on the 2025 list at No. 170, the AKC reports.
What to know about the 2026 ranking
The breeds recognized by the AKC in January 2026—the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier—are expected to debut in the 2026 rankings. The AKC says that ranking will include 205 AKC-registered breeds. Those are details about the forthcoming ranking, not additions to the 2025 results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Popularity is not a measure of breed fit
A high place in a registration ranking does not show whether a breed matches your home, schedule, or experience. AKC President and CEO Gina M. DiNardo put it plainly: “Popularity does not mean it’s right for everyone.” She also encouraged prospective owners to research what fits their lifestyle and to seek a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder. Use the list as a starting point for learning about breeds, not as a recommendation about which dog to get.
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