It's A Dog's World... State
We get it: People love Labrador retrievers. According to the American Kennel Club, they've been the most popular breed in the country for over a quarter of a century. But what do the numbers show when we break it down state-by-state? Well, let us take you from sea to shining sea and tell you the three most popular pooches in every state of the union according to the AKC.
Alabama
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle (in order)
Why beagles you ask? Well, you'll see that beagles turn up as a fav in a number of Southern states where hunting is popular.
Alaska
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Alaska is the only state in which The Alaskan malamute made it into the top 10. Makes sense given it's the state's official dog.
Arizona
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Arkansas
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
California
Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, German shepherd
The Frenchie is number one in both Los Angeles and San Diego.
Colorado
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
One source points out that the state's most popular dogs are rescue dogs/mutts—but these are not recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club.
Connecticut
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Delaware
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
The Golden became the official state dog of Delaware in 2016.
Florida
German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever
For all you Florida French Bulldog lovers: It's the favorite breed in West Palm Beach and number two in Miami (behind the German shepherd).
Georgia
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
The Bulldog was proposed as the state dog back in 2016. The bill didn't pass and the “adoptable dog” remains the state dog.
Hawaii
French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler
Our first look at Rotties on the list.
Idaho
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
As in many states with wide open terrain, Border Collies are also gaining in popularity.
Illinois
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
It's interesting to note that Siberian Huskies and Doberman Pinschers have made their way into Chicago's top 10.
Indiana
German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever
Pit bulls are the most popular rescue dog breed in the state.
Iowa
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Kansas
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bulldog
Do you know why a bill was introduced in 2006 to make Cairn Terriers the official state dog? Toto in The Wizard of Oz was a Cairn Terrier (the bill was tabled in 2012).
Warner Bros., The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Kentucky
Beagle
Not sure which ones come in second and third.
Louisiana
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Most people outside of the state of Louisiana probably haven't even ever heard of the Catahoula Leopard Dog. But in the Bayou State, their official state dog is also their most popular.
Britta Weißenborn, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Maine
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
They love dogs in Maine, but the AKC does suggest that it may be more of a cat state. Thoughts?
Maryland
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Maryland was the first state in the union to have an official state dog—the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Massachusetts
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherds
The Boston terrier (the official state dog since 1979) is also pretty popular in Massachusetts.
Michigan
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
The Siberian Husky makes it into the state's top five (seems to make sense given the colder climate).
Minnesota
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
While their top three are very on par with most of the rest of the country, you'll also find the English Springer Spaniel and the German Shorthaired Pointer in the state's top 10 (neither of which are found on the national list).
Mississippi
Labrador Retriever, Beagle, German Shepherd
localpups, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Missouri
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, French Bulldog
Australian Cattle Dogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also seem to be quite popular in the state.
Mdk572, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Montana
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Nebraska
Labrador Retriever, German shepherd, Golden retriever
Nevada
Labrador Retriever, Bulldog, German shepherd
New Hampshire
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
However, the state dog is the Chinook.
New Jersey
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Also making the top 10 in the state: Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, Boxers, Rottweilers, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs.
New Mexico
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Bulldog
State dog: Chihuahua.
New York
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
As for New York City, Frenchie is number one.
North Carolina
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
The State Dog: Plott Hound.
North Dakota
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Ohio
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Fun fact: “Buddy” and “Max” are the most popular dog names in the state.
Oklahoma
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bulldog
Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Oregon
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Designer mix-breeds like Labradoodles are gaining popularity in Oregon.
Anton Porsche, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
State dog: Great Dane.
Rhode Island
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
South Carolina
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
South Dakota
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
The Border Collie trend is a thing in South Dakota.
Tennessee
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
While the German Shepherd used to be number one in Nashville, that honor has now gone to Labs.
Texas
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bulldog
Utah
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Vermont
Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Golden Retriever
Furry fact: Vermont is the number-one state for cat lovers.
Virginia
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle
State dog: American Foxhound (a breed supposedly developed by George Washington—yes, that George Washington).
Svenska Mässan, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Washington
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
West Virginia
German Shepherd, Beagle, Labrador Retriever
Wisconsin
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd
Wyoming
Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever
Another state where the Border Collie trend is happening.
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