Americans are in love with their dogs. Over 38 million households in the U.S. have one. And, many are expensive to keep. Research shows that the cost of keeping a dog can run from $1,500 to $9,900 a year. This includes grooming, food, boarding, and veterinary care.
Some dogs are exceedly rare–so rare that most Americans have never seen one. Other breeds are owned by tens of thousands of people.
To identify the most popular breed in the United States, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club released on March 15, 2021, based on 2021 AKC registration statistics.
Some breeds have been consistently popular over the years, with golden and Labrador retrievers and German shepherds regularly dominating popularity rankings.
In fact, the Labrador retriever reigns No. 1 and has been the most popular since 1991. Golden and Labrador retrievers are especially popular among families, and for good reason.
Some of the most popular breeds are of fairly recent origin, while others, like some hunting and herding breeds, would have been recognizable to Roman soldiers or Vikings.
The lifespan of the most popular dogs in the U.S. varies from as few as seven years to as many as 18, though the life expectancy of most breeds on this list is in the 10-15 years range.
The most popular dog breed in America is the Labrador Retriever. Here are the details:
> Personality: Friendly, Active, Outgoing
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
> Height: 23-25 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
> Popularity ranking in 2020: 1 out of 197
Click here to read the most popular dog breeds in America
Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore (sponsored)
Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.
We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.
It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.
We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.