News Summary
A recent report by U.S. News & World Report reveals that San Diego pet owners prefer French bulldogs as their most favored dog breed. This finding is part of the 2025 American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, highlighting trends in dog ownership across America. While French bulldogs are the top choice in San Diego, Labradors are the most common breed nationwide, followed by Chihuahuas and Golden retrievers. The report reflects shifting preferences in pet ownership and shows how pet culture evolves over time.
San Diego, CA has been identified as a region with a distinct preference for French bulldogs as the most popular dog breed among its pet owners, according to a recent report released by the U.S. News & World Report. This finding is part of the 2025 American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, which reflects trends in dog ownership across the United States.
In San Diego, the French bulldog has emerged as the top choice, followed closely by Golden retrievers and Chihuahuas, which rank as the second and third most popular breeds, respectively. This preference aligns with a broader national trend, where, despite French bulldogs being the favorite in San Diego, Labrador retrievers have retained their status as the most common breed across the nation.
National Dog Ownership Statistics
Approximately 68 million households in the United States own a dog, highlighting pet ownership as a significant aspect of American life. Nationwide, Labrador retrievers have reclaimed the No. 1 position in overall breed rankings, a spot they lost to Chihuahuas in previous years. In the 2025 report, the Labrador retriever was recognized as the most popular breed, following a comprehensive analysis that indicated their dominance in various cities like Philadelphia, Charlotte, Nashville, Washington, D.C., and Boston.
Top Dog Breeds in the United States
The top dog breeds nationwide, as identified in the report, include:
- Labrador retriever
- Chihuahua
- Golden retriever
- American pit bull terrier
- German shepherd
- French bulldog
- Shih tzu
- Yorkshire terrier
- Dachshund
The Labrador retriever’s reinstatement to the No. 1 spot, previously held by Chihuahuas, indicates a shift in preferences among dog owners. Interestingly, the American pit bull terrier has moved up the rankings to fourth place, causing the German shepherd to drop from fourth to fifth position. Additionally, the Shih tzu maintains a solid place in the top ten along with the Yorkshire terrier and the Dachshund.
Research Methodology
The data analyzed for this survey came from an extensive database consisting of 1,261,285 data points, gathered through a partnership with the pet insurance industry, specifically with the third-party provider Fletch. This analysis covered data from January 2022 to July 2025 and was focused on owner ZIP codes and dog breeds in 25 of the most populous cities across the United States.
Conclusion and Trends in Dog Ownership
The 2025 report provides an updated perspective on dog ownership trends in the U.S., revealing how preferences evolve each year. As pet owners in San Diego and elsewhere continue to navigate their choices, the dynamics of dog breed popularity reflect broader social trends changing with the years. With the significant rise in popularity of French bulldogs, San Diego has cemented its place as a hub for canine companionship, signaling the trends shaping dog ownership distinctly within its community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Patch: Most Popular Dog Breeds in San Diego
- U.S. News: Most Popular Dog Breeds by City
- NBC San Diego: Pet of the Day
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dog Breeds
- Google Search: Dog Ownership Statistics
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
