Pet ownership is at a record level, according to this year’s National Pet Owners Survey, conducted by the American Pet Products Association. Undoubtedly, dogs are among the most popular family four-legged friends. Breeds such as the golden and Labrador retrievers have been consistently popular over the years. Others have fallen out of favor with dog owners – and some have trended out of style in just a year.
To identify the dog breeds in the United States that dropped the most in popularity between 2020 and 2021, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club released on March 15, 2021, based on the latest AKC registration statistics. We only considered dog breeds that dropped more than five spots in the 2021 popularity ranking.
Some of the dog breeds that have lost their popularity recently belong in the herding and hound breeds and are of fairly new origin. Most of the breeds on this list were never among the most preferred by canine lovers. They were in the middle or the bottom of the popularity ranking even before they dropped significantly in ranking.
Families own many different dogs, from mixed-breeds to purebreds, but which are the overall favorites? These are America’s most popular dogs.
Click here to see the dog breed that dropped the most in popularity
46. Mastiff
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 35 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 29 out of 197
> Personality: Courageous, Dignified, Good-Natured
> Life expectancy: 6-10 years
> Group: Working
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45. Miniature Pinscher
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 76 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 70 out of 197
> Personality: Fearless, Fun-Loving, Proud
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Group: Toy
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44. Pointer
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 120 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 114 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Hardworking, Even-Tempered
> Life expectancy: 12-17 years
> Group: Sporting
43. Tibetan Spaniel
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 125 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 119 out of 197
> Personality: Playful, Bright, Self-Confident
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting
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42. Clumber Spaniel
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 149 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 143 out of 197
> Personality: Mellow, Amusing, Gentlemanly
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Sporting
41. Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 156 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 150 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Quick
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Sporting
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40. Irish Water Spaniel
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 165 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 159 out of 197
> Personality: Playful, Hardworking, Brave
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Sporting
39. Kuvasz
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 169 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 163 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Fearless, Courageous
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Working
38. Norwegian Lundehund
> Drop in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 197 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 191 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Energetic, Alert
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting
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37. Standard Schnauzer
> Drop in popularity: 7 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 96 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 89 out of 197
> Personality: Fearless, Smart, Spirited
> Life expectancy: 13-16 years
> Group: Working
36. Finnish Lapphund
> Drop in popularity: 7 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 168 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 161 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Agile
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Herding
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35. Finnish Spitz
> Drop in popularity: 7 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 191 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 184 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Good-Natured, Lively
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting
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34. Irish Terrier
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 124 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 116 out of 197
> Personality: Bold, Dashing, Tenderhearted
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Terrier
33. Saluki
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 128 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 120 out of 197
> Personality: Gentle, Dignified, Independent-Minded
> Life expectancy: 10-17 years
> Group: Hound
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32. Smooth Fox Terrier
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 131 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 123 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Independent, Amusing
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Terrier
31. Irish Red and White Setter
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 154 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 146 out of 197
> Personality: Courageous, Spirited, Determined
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Group: Sporting
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30. Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 162 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 154 out of 197
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Lively
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Hound
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29. Canaan Dog
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 187 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 179 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Alert, Vigilant
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Herding
28. English Foxhound
> Drop in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 196 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 188 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Gentle, Sociable
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Group: Hound
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27. Irish Wolfhound
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 85 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 76 out of 197
> Personality: Courageous, Dignified, Calm
> Life expectancy: 6-8 years
> Group: Hound
26. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 92 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 83 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Intelligent, Outgoing
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Sporting
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25. Leonberger
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 102 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 93 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Gentle, Playful
> Life expectancy: 9 years
> Group: Working
24. Black Russian Terrier
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 127 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 118 out of 197
> Personality: Intelligent, Calm, Powerful
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Working
23. American English Coonhound
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 184 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 175 out of 197
> Personality: Sweet, Mellow, Sociable
> Life expectancy: 11-12 years
> Group: Hound
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22. American Foxhound
> Drop in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 195 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 186 out of 197
> Personality: Independent, Easy-Going, Sweet-Tempered
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Group: Hound
21. Alaskan Malamute
> Drop in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 68 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 58 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Playful
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Group: Working
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20. Schipperke
> Drop in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 115 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 105 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Alert, Curious
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Non-sporting
19. Bluetick Coonhound
> Drop in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 140 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 130 out of 197
> Personality: Smart, Devoted, Tenacious
> Life expectancy: 11-12 years
> Group: Hound
18. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
> Drop in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 180 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 170 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Clever, Lively
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Herding
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17. Affenpinscher
> Drop in popularity: 11 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 159 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 148 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Famously Funny, Fearless
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Toy
16. Pyrenean Shepherd
> Drop in popularity: 11 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 192 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 181 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Active, Enthusiastic
> Life expectancy: 18 years
> Group: Herding
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15. German Pinscher
> Drop in popularity: 12 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 146 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 134 out of 197
> Personality: Courageous, Intelligent, Vivacious
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Working
14. Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
> Drop in popularity: 12 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 189 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 177 out of 197
> Personality: Independent, Happy, Outgoing
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Hound
13. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
> Drop in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 66 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 53 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, Happy, Deeply Devoted
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Terrier
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12. Lhasa Apso
> Drop in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 84 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 71 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Smart, Comical
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting
11. Redbone Coonhound
> Drop in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 155 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 142 out of 197
> Personality: Even-Tempered, Amiable, Eager to Please
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Hound
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10. Komondor
> Drop in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 186 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 173 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Dignified, Brave
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Working
9. Treeing Walker Coonhound
> Drop in popularity: 14 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 151 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 137 out of 197
> Personality: Smart, Brave, Courteous
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Hound
8. Tibetan Terrier
> Drop in popularity: 16 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 112 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 96 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Sensitive
> Life expectancy: 15-16 years
> Group: Non-sporting
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7. Bearded Collie
> Drop in popularity: 16 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 143 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 127 out of 197
> Personality: Smart, Bouncy, Charismatic
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Herding
6. Tibetan Mastiff
> Drop in popularity: 16 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 147 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 131 out of 197
> Personality: Independent, Reserved, Intelligent
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Working
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5. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
> Drop in popularity: 16 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 173 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 157 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Smart, Enthusiastic
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Group: Herding
4. Bouvier des Flandres
> Drop in popularity: 17 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 101 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 84 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, Courageous, Strong-Willed
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Herding
3. Briard
> Drop in popularity: 18 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 150 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 132 out of 197
> Personality: Confident, Smart, Faithful
> Life expectancy: 12 years
> Group: Herding
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2. Berger Picard
> Drop in popularity: 19 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 163 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 144 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, Good-Natured, Observant
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Herding
1. Ibizan Hound
> Drop in popularity: 30 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 182 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 152 out of 197
> Personality: Family-Oriented, Even-Tempered, Polite
> Life expectancy: 11-14 years
> Group: Hound
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