The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in California, while the Labrador Retriever remains the top choice across the United States, according to a report published in 2024.

The study — published by U.S. News & World Report and drawing on ownership data tied to a national animal tally of 89,700,000 — also included a separate report on popular dog names released May 1. The analysis covered data gathered between 2022 and 2025, and the American Veterinary Medical Association provided the underlying national pet statistics that informed the rankings.

California’s lead breed, the French Bulldog, tops a state list that also highlights small-breed favorites such as the Chihuahua and Chihuahua-mix. On the national list, the Labrador Retriever holds the top spot alongside other widely recognized breeds: Golden Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Goldendoodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier and Dachshund. The full set of breeds named in the report includes French Bulldog; Chihuahua; Chihuahua-mix; Labrador Retriever; Golden Retriever; American Pit Bull Terrier; German Shepherd; Goldendoodle; Shih Tzu; Yorkshire Terrier; and Dachshund.

Local reporting on the California ranking appeared in regional outlets such as Vcstar, and The Desert Sun cited coverage by reporter Ernesto Centeno Araujo in its account of the findings. U.S. News & World Report published the combined analysis of breed and name popularity in 2024, and the May 1 names report complements the breed rankings by showing what owners across the country were calling their dogs during the same analysis period.

Experts and industry observers say geography and lifestyle help explain why certain breeds dominate in particular places. Dog-breed popularity varies by region due to a mix of climate and geography — hardy, double-coated breeds tend to be more common in colder or rural areas while smaller breeds are often favored in dense, warmer urban settings — and because housing and lifestyle patterns influence what owners seek: urban apartments favor small, low-exercise dogs, while active or agricultural regions favor working and sporting breeds. How has dog ownership in the U.S. changed over the past decade in terms of breed popularity?

Cost considerations also shape demand. French Bulldogs typically have higher purchase and medical costs than many other popular breeds: reputable breeders often charge about $2,000–$8,000 for a French Bulldog puppy, compared with roughly $500–$3,000 for Golden Retrievers and $500–$1,500 for Poodles. Those higher acquisition and healthcare expenses are frequently cited by owners and industry analysts as factors that affect both supply and demand.

The rise of the French Bulldog nationally is part of a broader decade-long shift in U.S. breed popularity. Over the past decade, the French Bulldog climbed dramatically, moving from sixth place in 2015 to the top rank since 2022, a change that ended the Labrador Retriever’s 31-year run as the country’s most popular breed (the Labrador held the top spot from 1991–2021). Despite that shift, the report notes that the top five breeds have remained stable since 2022, indicating continuity at the upper end of the rankings even as individual positions have changed.

Methodologically, the report relies on the AVMA’s national pet population estimates to provide scale and comparability. U.S. News combined those statistics with name-data analysis to produce both the breed rankings and the separate names list. The timeframe — data analyzed between 2022 and 2025 and published in 2024 — reflects the recent ownership trends that informed the findings.

Readers seeking further context can consult the original reporting and industry sources cited in the analysis, including local coverage in regional newspapers and broader breed-popularity data maintained by organizations such as the American Kennel Club.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.