NEW YORK — As Americans celebrated National Dog Day on Tuesday, August 26, the online pet care marketplace Rover released its annual report on the most popular dog breeds in the United States, revealing that non-designer mixed breeds, often called mutts, hold the top spot. According to the Rover report, mixed breeds are the most popular choice among American pet owners, a trend driven by the fact that nearly half of pet parents adopt their companions from shelters.
The Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever ranked second and third, respectively, in the top 10 list of most popular purebreds, according to data from Rover.com. This year’s list shows a shift, with the Golden Retriever surpassing the Goldendoodle for the number three position. The top 10 list also includes German Shepherds, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers. The data, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. pet parents and an analysis of millions of user-submitted dog breeds, also noted that the most important factor for 67% of respondents when choosing a pet is loyalty.
The survey also identified the top trending breeds for 2025, led by the Miniature Poodle, followed by the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The report also found that the Pit Bull was voted as the most photogenic and most likely to be trending on social media.
National Dog Day, founded in 2004 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, was established to raise awareness about the number of dogs in need of rescue. The holiday also honors dogs for their service and companionship in roles ranging from law enforcement to providing comfort. The date, August 26, was chosen to commemorate the day Paige’s family adopted their first dog, a Sheltie. Since its inception, the holiday has become a global observance and, as reported by NationalToday.com, is celebrated to encourage dog adoption of all breeds, whether mixed or pure.