Top 15 dog breeds – Most popular dog breeds in the U.S

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Check out the American Kennel Club’s full list of most popular dog breeds in the united states (USA). Some of the topmost spots are of no surprise as they are been occupied by the same breeds for years. But few middle-order spots are quite surprising this year. Check whether Beagles hold in the top 5 positions or someone knocked them down.

Do the family-friendly, intelligent Labrador holds its top spot? Also find out the positions of most King Charles Spaniel and French bulldog which surprisingly jumped several positions up, to make to the top 10 most popular dog breeds in America.

Well, the rankings are based on registration numbers for the year 2017. Well, let’s find out if your favorite made it to the top 15 lists. I would also brief why these breeds made it top, what people for looking in breeds that made to so many registrations.

There are certain characteristics of each breed, which is liked by dog lovers to keep them around. Choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle or your family can be a challenge, so let’s make it smile. Scroll down for more information on the most popular breed.

15 . Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Temperament: Affectionate, Smart, Alert

  • these dogs bred to herd cattle.
  • small but sturdy, short-legged herders.
  • bright, sensitive dog who enjoys playing with his human family and responds well to training.

lifespan: 12 – 14 years

Potential health problems

  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Hip Dysplasi
  • Degenerative Myelopathy

14 . Great Danes

Temperament: Friendly, Patient, Dependable

  • The AKC calls this breed “the Apollo of dogs
  • powerful giants are the picture of elegance and balance.
  • courageous, never timid; always friendly and dependable.
  • Patient with kids
  • Makes friends easily.

lifespan: 8 – 10 years

Potential health problems

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Bloat

13 . Dachshunds

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Spunky

  • Smart and vigilant, with a big-dog bark, they make fine watchdogs.
  • they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn.

lifespan: 12 – 16 years

Potential health problems

  • Intervertebral Disk Disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Eye Issues

12 . Siberian Huskies

Temperament: Loyal, Outgoing, Mischievous

  • Most energetic dog, which requires a lot of exercise and family time.
  • Better suited for cold temperature regions.
  • Huskies are naturally clean, with little doggy odor.

lifespan: 12 – 15 years

Potential health problems

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Defects
  • Uveodermatologic Syndrome
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11 . Boxers

Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active

  • Developed to serve as a guard, working, and companion dog.
  • Great dog with children due to their patience and protective nature.
  • They are playful and loving, while still being agile and protective of home and family.

lifespan: 10 – 12 years

Potential health problems

  • Boxer Cardiomyopathy
  • Aortic/sub aortic Stenosis
  • Degenerative Myelopathy

10 . Pointers (German Shorthaired)

Temperament: Friendly, Smart, Willing to Please

  • These dogs are known for being versatile hunters and gun dogs.
  • known for power, speed, agility, and endurance,
  • Always ready to spend time outdoors like running, swimming or anything that will burn their energy.

lifespan: 12 – 14 years

Potential health problems

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cancer
  • eye diseases

9 . Yorkshire Terriers

Temperament: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish

  • small size easy to carry and playful
  • favorite among urbanites – easy to take care and portable weight.
  • Have hair and not fur, making them hypoallergenic — good for people with allergies.

lifespan: 13 – 16 years

Potential health problems

  • Luxating patella
  • Legg-Perthes Disease
  • Hypoglycemia

8 . Rottweiler

Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian

  • They have an intimidating look.
  • Though early training and socialization make him less aggressive, always good to treat as a guard dog
  • They make great guard dogs because of their bulky and strong build.

lifespan: 8 – 10 years

Potential health problems

  • Sub-Aortic Stenosis
  • Eye Issues
  • Hip Dysplasia

7 . Poodles

Temperament: Active, Proud, Very Smart

  • Very active dogs which requires exercise every day.
  • Infrequent shedding
  • extremely intelligent and easily trained.

lifespan: 12 – 15 years

Potential health problems

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

6 . Beagles

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry

  • Excellent hunting dog and loyal companion
  • The ability and desire to track down smells, making them excellent working dogs.
  • Beagles are loving and lovable, happy, and companionable—all qualities that make them excellent family dogs.

lifespan: 12 – 15 years

Potential health problems

  • Epilepsy
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cherry Eye

5 . Bulldogs

Temperament: Friendly, Courageous, Calm

  • Kind but courageous, friendly but dignified.

Bulldogs were looking lot different initially. Due to selective breeding, to get the ‘snub’ nose look they look different now. Also now people buy them for their looks, not for any of their benefit.

Bulldogs will end up a very expensive dog for maintenance. Due to their allergies, skin issues and numerous breathing issues, also they can’t give birth naturally must have C-sections.

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lifespan: 8 – 10 years

Potential health problems

  • cardiac and respiratory diseas
  • hip dysplasia
  • cherry eye

4 . French Bulldogs

Temperament: Adaptable, Playful, Smart

  • French bulldogs are affectionate and playful.
  • a little bit stubborn in nature, so you’ll need to exercise some patience when training.
  • One among top 5 positions is only due to the small size and its looks.

lifespan: 10 – 12 years

Potential health problems

  • brachycephalic syndrome or difficulty breathing
  • back problems including ruptured or herniated discs

3 . Retrievers (Golden)

Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted

  • Great beauty, golden coat and trustworthy.
  • Friendly, energetic, easily trainable and have a great personality.
  • Loves outdoor activities anything their human partner is interested in.

lifespan: 10 – 12 years

Potential health problems

  • hypothyroidism
  • eye disorders
  • elbow dysplasia
  • sub-aortic stenosis

2 . German Shepherd Dogs

Temperament: Confident, Courageous, Smart

  • More popular in police, military and security for their high discipline.
  • willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones.

lifespan: 9 – 13 years

Potential health problems

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Perianal Fistula
  • Megaesophagus
  • Osteoarthriti
  • Degenerative Myelopathy

1 . Retrievers (Labrador)

Temperament: Friendly, Active, Outgoing

  • Always a good family dog.
  • Easily socialized, energetic, love for people and intelligent.
  • the enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercises to keep physically and mentally fit.

lifespan: 10 – 14 years

Potential health problems

  • Hip dysplasia
  • elbow dysplasia
  • luxating patella
  • Bloat

Health Concerns explained

Dogs do usually have pretty good health. Moreover, their human companion will never let his loved ones to get sick. But some breeds are prone to health disorders. Some due to genetics and some catch up from an environment. So let’s keep them at bay. Let’s ask questions to your breeder before making your final choice. Let me explain what these diseases or disorders actually mean, knowledge is wealth, keep reading.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Intervertebral disc disease is when the discs between the vertebrae bulge or herniate into the spinal cord space. Usually have trouble walking, refuses to jump, is incontinent, won’t eat, or appears anxious.

Breed: Corgis, Dachshunds

Hip Dysplasia

An abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is affected by environmental factors.

Breed: Corgis, Dane, Siberian Huskies, Pointers (German Shorthaired), Rottweilers

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Degenerative Myelopathy

Disease related to the spinal cord in older dogs which eventual paralysis in the hind limbs.

Breed: Corgis, Boxer

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a degenerative heart muscle condition that gradually weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. It is usually associated with an enlargement of the left ventricle.

Breed: Dane

Bloat

Bloat is a gastric dilation of the stomach caused by an abnormal accumulation of gas or liquid.

Breed: Dane

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition resulting from a lowered production and release of T4 and T3 hormones by the thyroid gland.

Breed: Doberman pinschers, Beagles, Irish setters, golden retrievers, great Danes, old English sheepdogs, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, boxers, poodles, and cocker spaniels, Poodles

Eye Issues/ Eye Defects

Eye issues including cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, tear duct anomalies, and progressive retinal atrophy

Bree: Dachshunds, Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, Poodles

Uveodermatologic Syndrome

Dog’s immune system produces chemicals called antibodies to protect its body against harmful substances and organisms such as viruses, bacteria, etc. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful antigens and its own healthy body tissues, leading it to destroy the healthy body tissue. Inflammation of the interior of the eye and Loss of skin pigmentation in the nose, lips, eyelids, footpads.

Breed: Akitas, Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies

Boxer cardiomyopathy

The development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, resulting in syncope and sudden cardiac death.

Breed: Boxer

Aortic/Subaortic Stenosis

Subaortic stenosis is a narrowing (stenosis) of the area underneath, the aortic valve, that causes some degree of obstruction or blockage of the blood flow through the heart.

Breed: Boxer, Rottweilers

Luxating patella

Luxation of the patella is movement or dislocation of the kneecap.

Breed: Yorkshire Terriers

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a fast drop in blood sugar levels.

Breed: Yorkshire Terriers

Legg-Perthes Disease

The dog’s hip area begins to receive inadequate circulation of blood, the bone in the dog’s femur weakens and begins to collapse; the cartilage surrounding this can become cracked and malformed.

Breed: Yorkshire Terriers

Epilepsy

Epilepsy, the most common cause of seizures in the dog.

Breed: Poodles, Beagles

Cherry Eye

Prolapsed gland of the eyelid refers to a pink mass protruding from the animal’s eyelid; it is also called a “cherry eye.”

Breed: Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzus.