Special Report
This Is the Dog That Soared the Most in Popularity Last Year
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Pet ownership is at a record level, according to this year’s National Pet Owners Survey, conducted by the American Pet Products Association – and dogs are the most popular pets of all. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are more than 76 million pet canines in the U.S. today (and only about 58 million pet cats).
Which dog breeds are most popular? Golden and Labrador retrievers have been consistently favored over the years, but others are rising through the ranks – some incredibly fast. To identify the dog breeds in the United States that increased the most in popularity between 2020 and 2021, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club, based on the latest AKC registration statistics. We only considered dog breeds that moved up five or more spots in the popularity ranking from 2020 to 2021. (Over the same time span, these are the dog breeds that dropped the most in popularity.)
Click here to see the dog that soared the most in popularity last year
Some of the dog breeds that have become more popular in the last year belong in the sporting and terrier breeds and were officially recognized by the AKC just a decade ago. Even though the dog breeds on this list have moved up the popularity ranking many spots, most continue to be in the middle or on the bottom of the overall standings. Which breeds are on top? These are America’s most popular dogs.
30. Lakeland Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 5 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 142 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 147 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, confident, bold
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Terrier
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29. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 5 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 75 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 80 out of 197
> Personality: Clever, brave, tenacious
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Terrier
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28. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
> Increase in popularity: 5 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 60 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 65 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, devoted, trainable
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Sporting
27. Basset Hound
> Increase in popularity: 5 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 34 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 39 out of 197
> Personality: Charming, patient, low-key
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Hound
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26. Australian Shepherd
> Increase in popularity: 5 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 12 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 17 out of 197
> Personality: Smart, work-oriented, exuberant
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Herding
25. Irish Setter
> Increase in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 71 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 77 out of 197
> Personality: Active, outgoing, sweet-natured
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Sporting
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24. Portuguese Water Dog
> Increase in popularity: 6 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 44 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 50 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, adventurous, athletic
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Group: Working
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23. Dalmatian
> Increase in popularity: 7 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 49 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 56 out of 197
> Personality: Dignified, smart, outgoing
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Group: Non-sporting
22. Belgian Malinois
> Increase in popularity: 7 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 36 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 43 out of 197
> Personality: confident, smart, hardworking
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Group: Herding
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21. Bergamasco Sheepdog
> Increase in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 179 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 187 out of 197
> Personality: Independent, sociable, intelligent
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Herding
20. Spanish Water Dog
> Increase in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 145 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 153 out of 197
> Personality: Playful but also work-oriented, very active, upbeat
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Herding
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19. Bedlington Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 8 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 133 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 141 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, charming, frollicking
> Life expectancy: 11-16 years
> Group: Terrier
18. Swedish Vallhund
> Increase in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 160 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 169 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, energetic, watchful
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Herding
17. English Cocker Spaniel
> Increase in popularity: 9 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 43 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 52 out of 197
> Personality: Energetic, merry, responsive
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Sporting
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16. Manchester Terrier (Toy)
> Increase in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 123 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 133 out of 197
> Personality: Agile, spirited, intelligent
> Life expectancy: 15-17 years
> Group: Terrier
15. Manchester Terrier (Standard)
> Increase in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 123 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 133 out of 197
> Personality: Spirited, bright, keenly observant
> Life expectancy: 15-17 years
> Group: Terrier
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14. Boykin Spaniel
> Increase in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 90 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 100 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, eager, lovable
> Life expectancy: 10-15 years
> Group: Sporting
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13. Russell Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 10 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 72 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 82 out of 197
> Personality: Alert, inquisitive, lively
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Terrier
12. Löwchen
> Increase in popularity: 11 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 157 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 168 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, outgoing, positive
> Life expectancy: 15 years
> Group: Non-sporting
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11. Cane Corso
> Increase in popularity: 11 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 21 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 32 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, intelligent, majestic
> Life expectancy: 9-12 years
> Group: Working
10. Field Spaniel
> Increase in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 136 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 149 out of 197
> Personality: Sweet, fun-loving, sensitive
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Sporting
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9. Greyhound
> Increase in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 132 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 145 out of 197
> Personality: Gentle, independent, noble
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Group: Hound
8. Giant Schnauzer
> Increase in popularity: 13 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 65 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 78 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, alert, trainable
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Working
7. Icelandic Sheepdog
> Increase in popularity: 17 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 138 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 155 out of 197
> Personality: Friendly, playful, inquisitive
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Herding
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6. Chinook
> Increase in popularity: 18 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 172 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 190 out of 197
> Personality: Smart, patient, devoted
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Working
5. Australian Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 18 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 152 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 170 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, courageous, spirited
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Group: Terrier
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4. Lagotto Romagnolo
> Increase in popularity: 20 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 79 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 99 out of 197
> Personality: Affectionate, keen, undemanding
> Life expectancy: 15-17 years
> Group: Sporting
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3. Xoloitzcuintli
> Increase in popularity: 21 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 119 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 140 out of 197
> Personality: Loyal, alert, calm
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Group: Non-sporting
2. Wirehaired Vizsla
> Increase in popularity: 23 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 144 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 167 out of 197
> Personality: Gentle, loyal, trainable
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Sporting
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1. Sealyham Terrier
> Increase in popularity: 25 spots
> Popularity in 2021: 139 out of 197
> Popularity in 2020: 164 out of 197
> Personality: Alert, outgoing, sense of humor
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Terrier
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