A new analysis of pet ownership data shows the Chihuahua is the most popular dog breed in Arizona and the second most popular breed nationally, according to a U.S. News and World Reports dataset highlighted in recent local coverage.

The finding, first published in 2023 and refreshed in multiple updates, was most recently revised with a May 2025 update and carries a subsequent timestamp of “Updated Sept. 17, 2025, 7:36 a.m. MT.” The timeline indicates the rankings are drawn from a multi-year dataset rather than a single seasonal snapshot, a distinction the authors noted when the state- and city-level results were posted.

The report places Chihuahua at No. 1 across Arizona and names the breed as the top pick in several metropolitan areas that helped lift its statewide standing, including the Phoenix metro area as well as cities outside Arizona such as San Antonio and Las Vegas. Other breeds named in the analysis include the French bulldog and the American Pit Bull Terrier, though the summary release did not pair every listed breed with a specific city or rank in its statewide table.

The study also lists Arizona’s most common dog names as Charlie, Bella and Luna, with Bella and Luna presented in the release alongside translations — “beautiful” and “moon,” respectively. The name results largely mirror national naming trends, according to the compiled data and the local outlets that summarized the findings.

Factors that contribute to the popularity of certain breeds in particular regions include climate and lifestyle compatibility, urban vs. rural living environments, cultural preferences, and physical traits like size and temperament, the report materials indicate. Those dynamics help explain why compact breeds such as Chihuahuas and French bulldogs often perform strongly in metropolitan and warm-climate areas.

The dataset underlying the rankings has been revised since the analysis’ initial 2023 publication. U.S. News and World Reports is credited as the primary source for the state and city placements, and local readers were directed to full breakdowns published on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic for more granular lists and regional tables.

The updated listing is likely to influence how animal rescues, breeders and pet retailers in Arizona describe demand and availability. Observers noted that a sustained No. 1 position statewide and repeated top-city placements provide a snapshot of pet preference that spans multiple metropolitan areas in and beyond the state.

Arizona’s broader pet landscape provides context for the breed rankings. That ownership rate aligns with the multi-city, multi-year approach used to compile the U.S. News analysis.

The report materials also included a brief nod to basic care considerations for small breeds that dominate parts of the list. For example, Chihuahuas, as small dogs, require frequent brushing once a week to maintain their smooth, short coat and reduce shedding, along with daily flea and tick checks in warm weather, guidance that accompanied background information in the study’s supporting notes.

For readers seeking the complete tables of names, city-by-city ranks and the full methodology, the U.S. News and World Reports entry and the local writeups on azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic provide the detailed breakdowns referenced in the updated release.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.