What are the most popular dog breeds in California? See which ones made the list
When it comes to California’s most popular dog breeds, one particular pup leads the pack.
That’s according to the American Kennel Club, which recently released its list of the most popular dog breeds in California and the United States.
Advertised as the “world’s largest registry of purebred dogs,” the kennel club said it used registration statistics to rank pet owners’ favorite pedigreed pooches in 2025.
Here’s which breed took the top spot:
What’s the No. 1 dog breed in California?
According to the American Kennel Club, the most popular dog breed in California in 2025 was the French bulldog.
French bulldogs, also known as frenchies, also took the No. 1 spot on the pedigreed dog registry’s national list.
The breed has reigned supreme in the United States for four years in a row, the American Kennel Club said.
Resembling miniature bulldogs with large, erect “bat ears,” French bulldogs are “playful, alert, adaptable and completely irresistible,” the kennel club said, making them a popular choice for pet lovers.
“They certainly make excellent companion dogs, and reward those who share their lives with them,” the Northern California French Bulldog Club said on its website.
Despite the French bulldog’s popularity, “It is not a ‘one size fits all’ breed,” American Kennel Club CEO and president Gina M. DiNardo said in a March 18 news release.
What are the most popular dog breeds in California?
California recently ranked among the U.S. states that pamper pets the most, according to a new study by TrustedHousesitters.
The online community marketplace connects pet owners with house sitters who provide in-home car.
The Golden State came in sixth place on TrustedHousesitter’s list of the top 10 states with the most pampered pets, based on pet spending, luxury pet services and luxury-themed pet names.
“This reflects a broader cultural trend, where pets are increasingly treated like family members — and in some cases, even given names that reflect status, personality and lifestyle,” the pet sitting service said.
In California, these five dog breeds get the most love, according to the American Kennel Club:
- French bulldog
- Labrador retriever
- Golden retriever
- Daschund
- Cane corso
What is top dog breed in Los Angeles? San Francisco?
In most of California’s biggest cities, the French bulldog reigns supreme as the most popular dog breed based on registration data, according to the American Kennel Club.
That breed took first place in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego, the kennel club said.
Only San Francisco bucked the trend, with pet owners in the Bay Area crowning the golden retriever as the most popular pedigreed dog breed.
Other beloved breeds in those major California cities included bulldogs, Pembroke Welsh corgis, poodles, Pomeranians and rottweilers.
What are the most popular dog breeds in the US?
Across the United States, the top five most registered breeds were:
- French bulldog
- Labrador retriever
- Golden retriever
- Dachshund
- Poodle
The dachshund skyrocketed in popularity in 2025, the American Kennel Club said in the March 18 release, replacing the poodle in the top five.
The cane corso landed at No. 11 on the kennel club’s national list 2025, up from No. 14 the year before.
“Another breed to watch this year is the curious, spunky dachshund,” DiNardo said, adding that the breed has hovered in the top 10 for years now. “Dachshunds are very intelligent, excellent problem solvers and adorable.”
The American Kennel Club stressed the importance of researching which breed fits into your lifestyle the best before bringing a new companion into your home.
How did American Kennel Club come up with ranking?
To determine the most beloved breeds, the American Kennel Club studied 2025 data from owners who registered dogs with California ZIP codes.
The club wouldn’t share the precise number of pups in the registry, but told The News & Observer in North Carolina that there were “hundreds of thousands” as of March.
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 12:43 PM.
