MarketWatch Guides’ review of nearly 30,000 dog records in 2024 found the French bulldog to be the most popular dog breed in the United States, a state-by-state analysis that highlights both regional differences in preference and wide variation in lifetime ownership costs.

The analysis, which covered all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., used data supplied by PetInsurer and was large enough to identify the top-ranked breed in each jurisdiction and to estimate average lifetime costs for several common breeds. MarketWatch paired prevalence by state with lifetime-cost estimates drawn from the same dataset to produce a snapshot of how popularity and costs intersect across urban and rural areas.

At the national level the French bulldog emerged as the top breed. MarketWatch’s breed profile lists an average lifetime cost for the French bulldog at $16,295 and notes the breed’s compact size and adaptability to city life as attributes that likely contribute to its nationwide appeal.

The Labrador retriever retained a particularly strong regional presence: it was the most popular breed in 18 states, according to MarketWatch. The Labrador’s estimated average lifetime cost in the dataset was $21,890. The analysis also identified the golden retriever as carrying the highest estimated lifetime cost among several top breeds, at nearly $23,000.

MarketWatch’s state-by-state list also featured the Chihuahua and the German shepherd among breeds that topped preferences in particular states, underscoring that regional taste varies widely. Factors contributing to the popularity of certain dog breeds in different U.S. states include local housing types, climate, lifestyle needs, and breed traits like size and adaptability. For example, small breeds such as the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier tend to dominate in apartment-heavy areas where compact size and lower space requirements are an advantage. Choosing the right dog breed can be influenced by these factors.

The MarketWatch approach allowed comparisons across diverse geographies—from dense urban centers to rural counties—by assigning one leading breed per state and reporting the associated average lifetime cost derived from the same records. That combination produced a rough accounting of the financial commitments owners can expect for several common breeds alongside a map of regional preferences.

Prospective dog owners can use findings like these when choosing a breed, but experts advise matching a breed’s characteristics to household realities. Prospective owners should evaluate their activity level, living space, family composition, and time commitment against a breed’s size, energy needs, temperament, grooming requirements, and exercise demands. The American Kennel Club recommends considering those factors to ensure a good long-term fit.

MarketWatch’s report also touches on the broader composition of the nation’s canine population. National estimates cited in related sources indicate about 53% of U.S. dogs are mixed breeds, implying roughly 47% are purebred; other large projects tracking tens of thousands of animals report roughly an even split between purebred and mixed-breed dogs. Those proportions mean that while breed-specific rankings capture strong trends, many households own mixed-breed animals not reflected in single-breed tallies.

Published in 2024, the MarketWatch Guides analysis is accompanied by a methodology note and the state-level results available through MarketWatch’s pet-insurance section. The dataset’s size and state coverage give the report a granular look at how breed popularity and estimated lifetime costs vary across the country, offering both consumers and industry observers a data-backed view of contemporary U.S. dog ownership.

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Original reporting: view the original article.