Most Popular Dog Breed in Every Decade
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) has been around longer than living memory — since 1884, to be exact. It's the most expansive dog registry worldwide. Every year, it tracks the popularity of purebred dogs, and the record goes back for decades.
What type of dog was the most popular pooch when you were a kid? What about when your grandpa picked out his first pet? Check out whether your favorite breed lands among America's top picks throughout the ages.
1900s: Collie
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At the turn of the 20th century, no breed was more beloved than the Collie. Hailing from the green hills of Scotland and northern England, Collies are well known for their aptitude for herding sheep and other livestock. They're also prized for their loyalty and long, lustrous coats.
The breed really became popular toward the end of the 19th century thanks to Queen Victoria. She adored the breed, and keeping Collies soon became a trend. The Collie Club of America was founded in 1886, and two years later, financier J.P. Morgan launched his own kennel of Collies, the Cragston Kennel. His dogs won big initially, but Morgan's show kennel ended up costing him thousands in the long run. Regardless, the breed remains a top pick among working dog breeds today.
1910s: Boston Terrier
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When it comes to dog breeds, they don't come more American than the Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds to get their start in the United States, and it's a relatively new one. It originated in Boston, unsurprisingly, toward the end of the 19th century.
Originally, Boston Terriers were called Bull Terriers or Roundheads, but the more casual Boston Terrier title arose as the stuffiness of the Victorian Era gave way to more modern attitudes about dog ownership.
1920s: German Shepherd
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The classic German Shepherd has been lending a helping hand (er, paw?) to military personnel and police officers for over a century. They were herding dogs at first, but their intelligence proved useful during World War I when they served alongside soldiers. They made such an impression that they easily landed the title of top dog throughout the 1920s.
Part of their fame was also thanks to a famous German Shepherd named Rin Tin Tin. He made his Hollywood debut in 1922, and his first movie was such a hit that he starred in dozens more movies. Rin Tin Tin's stardom was partly responsible for saving the Warner Bros. studio, which almost went under before he came along. His character was based on a real German Shepherd who was rescued from a German kennel by an American soldier.
1930s: Boston Terrier
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The Boston Terrier rose to the top once again during the dark days of the Great Depression. It's not that people loved German Shepherds any less, but smaller dog breeds were less costly to feed and house. The Boston Terrier was the first to land in first place for not just one, but two decades.
The classy breed's clean lines and black-and-white coat, which happened to go nicely with the aesthetic of the Art Deco period, inspired the nickname "the American Gentleman."
1940s: Cocker Spaniel
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The Cocker Spaniel held second place for most of the 1930s. But once the '40s hit, the sweet-faced pup finally won the crown. The breed originated in 14th-century Europe. Originally, they were bred as hunting dogs in England, but a smaller version with a shorter snout evolved in the United States.
The American Cocker Spaniel became a popular companion dog, prized for its silky soft ears and cheerful demeanor. The breed first started trending upwards after a black Cocker Spaniel named My Own Brucie won back-to-back Best in Show titles in 1940 and 1941. He was so popular that he was featured in LIFE magazine and had an obituary published for him by The New York Times. Several celebs, including Bing Crosby and Marylin Monroe, fell in love with the breed as well.
1950s: Beagle
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The Cocker Spaniel was still trendy in the 1950s, but a hunting dog from Britain, the humble Beagle, outpaced its long-locked counterpart thanks to the most famous Beagle of all time: Snoopy. Cartoonist Charles Schulz published the first ever Snoopy comic strip in 1950.
The name is still a common choice for Beagles. Strangely, the dog is rarely just black and white. Most Beagles are a combination of reddish-brown, black and white splotches. Regardless, the energetic breed is notoriously loyal and friendly.
1960s: Poodle
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When most of us imagine the origins of the Poodle, Paris, France, comes to mind. However, the iconic French Poodle actually came from Germany, and it wasn't nearly as posh as we'd like to think. It was a hunting dog that specialized in retrieving water fowl. Their signature haircuts were not performed for style but for practicality. Shaving sections of their coat and leaving the rest equipped the dogs with less drag in the water but enough insulation to keep vital areas warm.
The unique look of the Poodle breed caught on in America during the '50s, inspiring the famous poodle skirt. By the 1960s, the Poodle was a fixture in American culture.
1970s: Poodle
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The Poodle was so popular that it claimed the title of most popular dog breed for two decades in a row. It even appeared in fashion magazines, Vogue included. Its hypoallergenic coat was another selling point, plus the availability of multiple size options to fit any lifestyle.
During the '70s, it remained the queen bee, with the German Shepherd closely behind, followed by the Doberman Pinscher, which was prized for its guarding abilities and protective instincts.
1980s: Cocker Spaniel
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If the '80s were known for one thing, it's big hair. Perhaps that's why the Cocker Spaniel came back in style. Whether it was their puppy-like faces, thick coats or docile temperament, Cocker Spaniels remained America's sweetheart until well into the '90s.
Even today, the breed remains in the top 30, with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey keeping them as loving companions.
1990s: Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever
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While the Cocker Spaniel was still popular in the early '90s, the Labrador Retriever was close on its fluffy heels. It took over midway through the decade. Labs now seem like a timeless American family dog, but they actually descended from a type of fishing dog that was imported from Newfoundland to Britain in the 1800s.
The monochromatic mutts come in solid black, chocolate and yellow, and they all share an outgoing, energetic temperament.
2000s to 2020s: Labrador Retriever
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The Labrador has remained the most popular for an impressive three decades. Even at the end of 2021, it was the most sought-after breed in all of North America. The outgoing canines may be too energetic for some, but they're a perfect fit for active families. Interestingly, the AKC announced in March 2023 that a very different breed had overtaken the Labrador in popularity: the French Bulldog.
Frenchies are believed to have become so popular because of their smaller size, lack of grooming needs and lower activity requirements — all more fitting qualities for apartment living. As AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo explained in the announcement, "Frenchies" have risen in popularity ,especially among apartment dwellers, thanks to the breed's small stature, easygoing temperament and low-maintenance short coats.
What Dog Breed Is America's Top Pick Today?
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Considering the AKC is a purebred dog registry, the Labrador and the French Bulldog still remain at the top of the list. However, Goldendoodles, a popular designer dog breed, come close behind.
However, we're pleased to say that mixed-breed dogs, AKA mutts, are actually the most popular pick among dog owners in the states. That means more people today are opting to adopt, not shop, choosing to bring home dogs from shelters instead of picking out a purebred puppy. In addition to saving a life, mixed-breed owners may get to share more time with their dogs thanks to fewer genetic health complications.