The votes are in, the registration papers are counted, and America's most popular dog breeds of 2025 look a lot like they did last year — with one wiener-shaped exception. The French Bulldog held onto the No. 1 crown for a fourth straight year, but the headline out of the American Kennel Club's latest rankings belongs to a short-legged underdog: the Dachshund has clawed its way back into the top five for the first time since 2003. If you have felt like you're seeing more Doxies at the dog park lately, you weren't imagining it.
Here's what the newly released AKC rankings tell us about how American tastes in dogs are shifting — and, just as important, what every prospective owner should know before chasing a trending breed.
America's Top 10 Dog Breeds of 2025
The AKC compiles its list from registration statistics across the 202 breeds counted this year (the club now recognizes 205 in total). Here's the official top 10:
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd Dog
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Beagle
- Rottweiler
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Bulldog
The top four are unchanged, a reminder that America's love affair with retrievers and shepherds is as steady as ever. The real movement happened at No. 5, where the Dachshund nudged past the Poodle — a breed that had comfortably held a top-five spot from 2021 through 2024. It's a small shuffle on paper, but for the "hot dog" breed it marks a return to the elite tier after a 22-year absence.
Why the Dachshund Is Having a Moment
So what's driving the Dachshund's comeback? A few forces are converging. City living rewards small, adaptable dogs, and the Dachshund's big personality inside a compact frame makes it a natural fit for apartments from Brooklyn to Austin. Social media hasn't hurt either — few breeds are as instantly recognizable, or as meme-able, as a low-riding sausage dog in a raincoat.
There's also a nostalgia factor. Dachshunds were a fixture of American households in the mid-20th century, and as millennials and Gen Z build their own families, plenty are gravitating toward the breed they remember from a grandparent's home. Add in wire-haired and long-haired varieties that photograph beautifully, and you have a breed built for a comeback. (If you're curious about the differences, our guide to the types of Dachshunds breaks down every coat and size.)
The Health Catch Every New Doxie Owner Should Know
Popularity comes with responsibility, and the Dachshund carries a well-documented health concern that deserves a spotlight: intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD. Because of their elongated spines and short legs, Dachshunds develop calcified spinal discs at a much younger age than other breeds. One large owner survey, the DachsLife study, found IVDD affected an estimated 15.7% of Dachshunds overall — and up to roughly 1 in 4 among smooth-haired standards — a rate dramatically higher than that of most other dogs.
The good news is that thoughtful owners can meaningfully lower the risk. Veterinarians recommend keeping your Dachshund lean (every extra pound is amplified across that long back), using ramps instead of letting them leap on and off furniture, walking them in a harness rather than a neck collar, and steering clear of high-impact twisting play. None of this should scare you off the breed — it's simply the homework that comes with loving a long dog. Our full Dachshund breed guide digs deeper into daily care.
The French Bulldog's Fourth Crown — and the Conversation It's Sparking
At the summit, the French Bulldog remains untouchable, holding No. 1 for a fourth consecutive year after dethroning the Labrador Retriever in 2022 and ending the Lab's remarkable 31-year reign. Frenchies are playful, adaptable, and famously good with kids — an easy sell for first-time owners in small spaces.
But the breed's dominance has also intensified a national conversation about health. AKC President and CEO Gina DiNardo struck a notably candid tone this year, cautioning that "while the French Bulldog is a wonderful companion for many, it is not a 'one size fits all' breed." She's pointing to a genuine concern. French Bulldogs are brachycephalic — flat-faced — and their signature squishy mugs come at a cost. Scientists have documented that flat-faced breeds like the French Bulldog carry a substantially higher risk of serious breathing problems, a condition known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS); in one analysis, only a tiny fraction of the flattest-faced dogs could breathe with no obstruction at all. The syndrome can cause chronic breathing difficulty, heat intolerance, and disrupted sleep.
The stakes are real: studies of dogs with extreme flat-faced conformation have found markedly shorter average lifespans than other breeds, driven in part by these very airway problems. The breed's popularity has even landed the AKC in court over conformation standards — a case we covered when a high-profile lawsuit over dog-breed health was dismissed earlier this year. The takeaway for buyers isn't "avoid Frenchies" — it's "choose your breeder carefully." Look for breeders who prioritize open nostrils, longer muzzles, and BOAS screening over the flattest possible face.
Other Movers Worth Watching
Beyond the top five, a couple of breeds made eye-catching climbs. The Cane Corso, the imposing Italian mastiff, jumped from No. 14 in 2024 to No. 11 in 2025, knocking on the door of the top 10 — a sign that demand for large, protective companions keeps growing. And the biggest surge of all belonged to the Wirehaired Vizsla, which leapt an astonishing 29 spots, from No. 159 to No. 130, proving that even niche sporting breeds can catch fire.
The Poodle, meanwhile, slipped from fifth to sixth — hardly a fall from grace for one of the most versatile and beloved dogs in America, but a reminder that the middle of the leaderboard is more competitive than the steady top four suggests.
What These Rankings Really Mean for You
It's tempting to read a popularity list as a shopping guide, but the smartest way to use it is as a conversation starter. A breed's spot on the leaderboard tells you how many people chose it — not whether it's the right choice for your home, schedule, and budget. A high-energy German Shorthaired Pointer will wilt in a household that wants a couch companion, and a Frenchie's charm won't offset a hot climate that its airways can't handle.
Before you fall for a trending breed, do the unglamorous work: research the breed's exercise needs and known health risks, ask breeders for health-testing paperwork, and consider whether a shelter or breed-specific rescue might have your future best friend waiting right now. Popularity fades; a good match lasts 12 to 15 years.
Whatever breed tops your personal list this year, Sidewalk Dog is here to help you raise a happy, healthy pup — from breed deep-dives to training tips to the best dog-friendly spots in your city. Because the best dog isn't the most popular one. It's the one that's right for you.
