Dogs may be one of the few groups that benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdowns went into effect in 2020, many people used the opportunity to welcome a new pet into their lives. In a year when dog sales and adoptions reached impressive heights , these were the country's most sought-after breeds.
The list below comes from the American Kennel Club's annual round-up of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. A lot changed last year, but the Labrador retriever held on to its title as America's favorite dog breed for the 30th year in a row. The biggest change to the list is the French bulldog in the No.2 slot. The pint-sized breed dethroned the German shepherd , which fell from No.2 in 2019 to No.3 in 2020. Other notable changes include the appearance of the Dachshund at No.10âthe breed's highest ranking in seven years.
When looking for a dog to keep them company in isolation, many new pet owners chose adoption. Rescuing a pet from a shelter doesn't mean giving up hopes of owning a certain breed; there are even breed-specific rescues out there that make it easy to bring home the dog of your dreams. Shelter dogs also offer many benefits that owners don't get when buying from a breeder.
After reading the list of most popular dog breeds below, check out these underrated breeds you should know about.
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