The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Every State

Americans love dogs — more than 63 million households have at least one, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association. So which are the breeds that millions of owners are choosing? Read on to find out the most popular dog in each state, according to the Joybird blog, and then learn why each breed is so beloved.

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Alabama: Shih Tzu

Pronounced “sheed-zoo” or “sheet-su”, this toy-sized dog usually weighs between 9 and 16 pounds, making it an ideal lap dog. The breed was the house pet during the Ming Dynasty, so they are bred to receive royal treatment.

Alaska: Bloodhound

This gentle giant (they can weigh up to 110 pounds!) is born to be on the trail. With an unrivaled ability to sniff out scents, it’s no wonder they’re popular in Alaska, where they can roam the great outdoors and pick up any number of natural odors.

Arizona: Shih Tzu

This long-haired breed may be popular in hot Arizona because it doesn’t require much exercise — a short walk is about all they need. The rest of the time, they’re content to hang out inside on your lap.

Arkansas: Basset Hound

The stout but sweet basset hound is second only to the bloodhound in scenting ability, making the breed ideal as a companion to recreational hunters.

California: French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is known for being playful, adaptable, and all-around good-natured, which seems like the perfect choice for the generally laid-back Californian personality.

Colorado: Golden Retriever

The golden retriever makes an ideal pet for active, outdoorsy families, as it loves to fetch, swim, and generally enjoys most active pursuits with its owners.

Connecticut: Siberian Husky

This active and athletic breed is said to be “friendly, fastidious, and dignified,” according to the American Kennel Club. Which sounds perfect for New Englanders.

Delaware: Akita

This quiet and independent breed doesn’t love strangers or other animals, but is absolutely devoted to and protective of its family.

Florida: Maltese

This toy breed weighs around 7 pounds and doesn’t require much — making it the ideal companion for a retiree.

Georgia: Maltese

With its long, silky, low-shedding coat, this breed seems like it’s meant to be adorned with hair bows.

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Hawaii: Pomeranian

Surprisingly, this toy breed (which typically weighs under 7 pounds) is a descendant of sled dogs from Iceland and Finland! But these little guys do well with minimal exercise both indoors or outdoors.

Idaho: Bloodhound

Bloodhounds were first recorded as being used for law enforcement to search for poachers and thieves in the early 1800s; today, testimony of their mantrailing results are valid in most courts.

Illinois: Rottweiler

Powerful and protective, a Rottie, as they are called, isn’t for everyone. They love daily activity and a job to do, whether it’s guarding a property, or participating in sports.

Indiana: Rottweiler

Rottweilers are gentle and loving within their family, but usually are somewhat aloof to strangers; they need plenty of training and socialization to ensure their territorial nature isn’t a problem.

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Iowa: Golden Retriever

This exuberant breed enjoys plentiful exercise to be at its best. Whether it’s guide-dog work, hunting, or obedience, the golden retriever loves to do it all.

Kansas: Rottweiler

This breed, like any other, should never be left to live outside alone, they are people dogs who need to be with their family despite their use as guard dogs.

Kentucky: Bloodhound

This active breed can be taught to go on the hunt for any number of scents, perhaps making it a popular choice for those who enjoy hunting.

Louisiana: St. Bernard

While this gentle giant is sweet and patient with children and good in families, its size (males can reach 180 pounds!) requires a good amount of space. While it doesn’t require huge amounts of exercise, its sheer mass means city life may not be the best environment for this breed.

Maine: Pug

While it may seem like owning this expressive and friendly breed is trendy, it’s actually one of the oldest breeds of dogs, having existed since around 400 B.C. and originating in China.

Maryland: Bichon Frise

This curious and alert little dog seems to get along with mostly everybody, human or animal, making them perfect city pets.

Massachusetts: Golden Retriever

This friendly breed is also a hard worker that excels at everything from search-and-rescue to being a guide dog.

Michigan: Rottweiler

Rottweilers have a history of being used as police dogs, no surprise given their somewhat imposing presence. They take well to training.

Minnesota: English Springer Spaniel

This friendly breed is both sweet and sporty. Bred to be a birding dog, they’re always ready to join his human on the trail.

Mississippi: Dachshund

Though it may look like a docile lapdog, the dachshund is best for an owner ready to deal with its sometimes stubborn ways. Dachshunds were originally bred to be fearless hunters of badgers, and packs of the breed were even used to hunt wild boar centuries ago!

Missouri: Akita

The Akita is a symbol of health, happiness, and long life in Japan, and when a baby is born in the country, the parents will often receive a small statue of the breed.

Montana: Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois looks remarkably similar to the German shepherd, but is not related to that breed. The Malinois is, however, also a hard-working breed. Designed for livestock herding, they are stately and strong, and extremely intelligent.

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Nebraska: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

This breed has a thick, weatherproof coat, meaning a soft undercoat covered by a coarse outer coat; however these dogs should never be left out in extreme weather, be it hot or cold — which goes for most any breed.

Nevada: Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland is characterized as being intelligent and obedient, and excels at herding. You’ll often see this breed competing in agility competitions thanks to their trainability.

New Hampshire: Golden Retriever

Don’t let their adorable sweetness pull you in — this breed loves to eat, and not just food. So be careful that your belongings are Golden-proofed, and avoid giving in to too many treats.

New Jersey: Maltese

The Maltese gets its name from its origins in Malta, 60 miles south of Sicily. The stunning little lap dog was considered a hot commodity for wealthy women as far back as 1500 B.C.

New Mexico: Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu means “Lion Dog,” but don’t be concerned that this breed is at all ferocious; they are most content to sit home and cuddle, and generally just be cute.

New York: Havanese

This Cuban breed is small, adaptable and social, making it an ideal companion for city living.

North Carolina: Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is more than 1,000 years old! They first made it to America in the 1940s, when they came back with American soldiers stationed in Europe.

North Dakota: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The sweet, gentle expression of this loving toy breed is enough to melt any cold heart. The cavalier generally gets along with everyone, human or animal, and embraces both an active lifestyle or that of a couch potato.

Ohio: Rottweiler

Believe it or not, Rotties have been used as therapy dogs, proving that despite their imposing appearance, with the right training, they can be gentle and loving.

Oklahoma: Basset Hound

The name “basset” is supposed to be derived from the French word “bas” which means low thing or dwarf.

Oregon: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Considered a big dog in a small package, this sturdy breed was originally bred to move cattle. These family-friendly dogs enjoy having a job to keep them busy.

Pennsylvania: Rottweiler

The Rottie was a top choice for police dog work in the early 1900s, understandable thanks to its robust looks.

Rhode Island: Portuguese Water Dog

As its name implies, this breed adores the water — in fact, it was bred to help fishermen and loves all water activities. No surprise that this coastal state claims the breed as a favorite.

South Carolina: Boxer

Smart, loving, silly — these are just some of the words to describe the boxer, a long time favorite breed in America. This breed does well with the children in its family, and is very protective of its “pack” of humans.

South Dakota: Boston Terrier

Lively and friendly, the Boston terrier is always recognizable thanks to its tuxedo coat. And in case you were wondering, the Boston terrier actually does have roots in late 19th-century Boston, where the breed was first developed.

Tennessee: Yorkshire Terrier

This tiny breed may look frou-frou, but its original job was as a ratter in mines and mills before it became a lapdog for Victorian ladies. Today, the Yorkie, as often called, is popular because of its feisty and lively personality and is ideal for city folk.

Texas: French Bulldog

French bulldogs are undoubtedly charming, with their large bat ears and expressive eyes. This breed is famous for being friendly and all-around happy pups.

Utah: Poodle

Available in sizes ranging from extra small (the toy) to extra large (the standard), this non-shedding breed is considered to be easily trainable and extremely intelligent. This breed loves learning, so the more training and range of activities, the happier the dog.

Vermont: Bernese Mountain Dog

Hearty but calm, this breed can reach up to 115 pounds, and is built to handle cold weather. This breed enjoys outdoor activities, such as backpacking and camping with its family.

Virginia: Akita

This stately breed has webbed toes to help them walk on snow, as they were originally bred to hunt boar and elk in the snowy mountains of Japan. In fact, these dogs just adore snow, but may be popular in non-snowy areas due to their devotion to their family.

Washington: Siberian Husky

After the popularity of “Game of Thrones,” the Siberian husky was in hot demand thanks to its similarity in appearance to dire wolves. Unfortunately, this led to a 20 percent increase in the breed at shelters, according to the Bay Area Siberian Husky Club. This breed is meant to be exercised daily, given mental stimulation, and plenty of time with its family.

West Virginia: German Shepherd

This intelligent breed is devoted to its family, but not a big fan of strangers. Their trainability and loyalty are what makes them leader of the pack for work as a police dog or service dog.

Wisconsin: Bichon Frise

The white, hypoallergenic coat of this sturdy little breed is reminiscent of a cotton ball or snowball, ironic for a snowy state. However their happy, friendly personality makes them suitable for every owner.

Wyoming: Rottweiler

Rottweilers date back to the Roman Empire, when they were used as herd-guarding dogs.