8 Most Popular Dog Breeds In New York: 2024 Update (With Pictures)
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2023 marked the first year that the French Bulldog topped the list as the most popular purebred dog breed in the U.S. after 31 years of Labrador Retriever dominance. It has proven popular because of its loyal but playful nature as well as its small size making it a beneficial breed for owners in apartments, as well as those in larger properties.
In New York City, which is dominated by apartments and apartment dwellers, there is a similar story. Mixed-breed dogs are the most popular, but the French Bulldog comes out on top as the most popular of the purebred dogs.
Below are 8 of the most popular dog breeds in New York along with some of the likely reasons for their popularity.
The 8 Most Popular Dog Breeds In New York
1. Mixed Breed
| Size: | Varies |
| Lifespan: | 7–16 years |
Mixed-breed dogs can vary in size and other features. They are the most common “breed” of dog because dogs themselves are not picky about the breed of a potential partner and left to their own devices, dogs will breed with any partner they deem suitable. There has also been an increase in hybrid breeds that intentionally combine two purebred dogs. The Labradoodle, for example, is a hybrid breed that combines the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle breeds.
Mixed breed dogs are less likely to suffer congenital or hereditary illnesses, giving them so-called hybrid vigor.
2. French Bulldog
| Size: | 16–28 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–14 years |
The most popular breed of dog in New York, other than mixed breeds and hybrids, is the French Bulldog. The Frenchie looks like a small Bulldog and is playful, alert, loyal, and fun, as well as cute. The breed is said to be quiet, although there are always exceptions, but Frenchies are very alert and are always switched on.
They get along with other animals as well as most people and their size means they do well living in apartments while not requiring too much outdoor exercise.
3. Poodle
| Size: | 8–70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Poodles come in three sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The Toy and Miniature are small dogs that likely do very well in New York City apartments while the Standard is a large breed. All size variants of the Poodle make very intelligent dogs, and Poodles are considered easy to train because of their intelligence. They do like being given a job to do and they will take well to most training and games. They are also considered hypoallergenic because they have hair, rather than fur, and hair doesn’t fall out or shed.
Although the Poodle is the national dog of France, it was actually first developed in Germany.
4. Golden Retriever
| Size: | 55–75 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world thanks to its beautiful coat, friendly nature, and its eagerness to please. The Golden will get along with just about everybody and most animals. Its intelligence and empathy have seen it used as a therapy dog, guide dog, and in a host of other service roles. It also makes a great family pet and companion.
It is larger than the Miniature Poodle and French Bulldog and does require quite a lot of daily exercise. This means that it will generally benefit from living in a house with a yard, rather than an apartment, but it is very loyal and fun to be around.
5. Bulldog
| Size: | 40–50 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8–12 years |
The Bulldog is a heavyweight of a dog breed, potentially weighing as much as 50 pounds. It has a distinctive squat face with prominent teeth and wrinkled skin. But, despite being a heavy dog, it isn’t too active and can actually do well in an apartment, making it a popular choice with apartment dwellers who want something bigger than a Frenchie.
It is a friendly dog that will form a close bond with its humans and is especially fond of attention.
6. Labrador Retriever
| Size: | 55–80 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
The Labrador Retriever is an intelligent breed that, like the Golden Retriever and Poodle, has found utility in a variety of service roles. They are used in search and rescue, as guide dogs, and were originally bred as retrievers to fetch downed game birds for hunters. They are energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise and do better in houses than in apartments.
They also do well in events like agility and are considered a good breed even for novice owners, although Labrador Retrievers can suffer separation anxiety.
7. Dachshund
| Size: | 16–32 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
The Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers and its long body and short legs made it easy to dig up sets and get down holes in the ground. Today, the breed is more likely to be seen living a life of luxury in family homes although they do retain the desire to dig, whether that is in the garden or under the blankets and cushions on the sofa.
The Dachshund is affectionate and kind, and its size means that it can live in an apartment. But it does crave attention and owners need to take care to ensure the Dachshund’s back doesn’t get injured.
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Size: | 13–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9–15 years |
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is another small breed that is popular in New York because it can thrive in an apartment setting. The Cavalier is a gentle dog that does very well with children and will form bonds with adults too. They are affectionate and loving, and they do have a playful side. Their coat and ears mean that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels take a bit of care and grooming, but their companionship makes it a worthwhile effort.
Conclusion
New York is a busy city with a lot of apartments. As such, large and giant breeds aren’t as popular as they are in some other areas, and this is likely the reason that the French Bulldog is the most popular breed, although this is also in keeping with the rest of the country, where the Frenchie has unseated the Labrador Retriever as the most popular breed.
The list of most popular breeds also contains some other small breeds suitable for apartment dwellers, including the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Miniature and Toy Poodles, the Dachshund, and even the Bulldog.
Featured Image Credit: Amornpant Kookaki, Shutterstock
