If you find yourself looking at photos and videos of cute dogs on social media, National Dog Day is the perfect time to find out which dog is best for you!
6 of the most intelligent dog breeds you should know
Dogs are often much more intelligent than we humans give them credit for. Here are six of the most intelligent dog breeds and their positive characteristics.
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National Dog Day, observed annually on August 26, is a great time to start educating yourself on whether or not you should adopt a furry, four-legged friend. But which pup is the perfect one for you? Experts say it depends, but here are the most popular dog breeds of 2024.
Rover.com, an online pet care marketplace, partnered with Ancestry to find out which dog breeds are most popular across the country and what their personalities are like. It’s the sixth time they’ve conducted the survey.
Dogs are with us from the moment we learn to crawl until our last breath, so it’s no wonder that, according to Forbes, around 65.1 million Americans own a dog, making them the most popular pet in the country.
“Almost everyone who has ever had a dog knows the joy of coming home at the end of the day and being greeted by a wildly wagging tail,” Phil Tedeschi, a professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work who directs a program focused on human-animal relationships, told USA TODAY.
In July 2024, Rover surveyed 1,000 U.S. pet owners to learn more about which dog breeds are popular and what personality traits each breed is likely to have.
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What are the most popular breeds in America?
The five most popular dog breeds according to Rover are the following:
- Non-designer hybrids
- Labrador Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- Golden Retriever
- German shepherd dog
- Chihuahua
- French Bulldog
- dachshund
Personalities and connections across races
About 88% of dog owners surveyed said that knowing about their dog’s breed mix would help them understand their dogs better, and 56% said that knowing more about their dogs’ genetic makeup would help “strengthen their bond.”
A further 62% of respondents stated that breed was an important factor when considering which dog to adopt into their family.
While breed plays an important role in determining whether a dog is a good fit for a person’s lifestyle, getting to know the dog’s personality is equally important, says Tedeschi, who is also a member of the Rover Pet People Panel.
While breed can provide clues as to what kind of environment dogs feel comfortable in, it does not give you the overall picture.
Get to know your puppy
It is important to get to know the individual dog and its personality rather than stereotyping it based on its breed.
Yes, every dog breed is different, but each individual dog has its own characteristics and needs.
“Often it is companions with whom we spend our most valuable free time,” Tedeschi said. This bonding time often occurs when people can simply relax.
Building a relationship with a pet, be it a dog or a cat, whose company you enjoy, responds to your moods and emotions, and helps you feel a connection that is often evident in the “human-animal bond.”
“There’s this level of connection, social support and enthusiasm that really transcends or maybe even defines healthy relationships,” Tedeschi said. “And people really noticed that during the pandemic, when people who were feeling isolated and had lost aspects of their social support system really found those (connections) to be very important.”
Common personality traits
Below are some of the key personality traits that humans and dogs have in common:
- loyalty– 71%
- playfulness– 65%
- intelligence– 61%
- friendliness– 61%
About 62% of parents also reported that they and their dogs suffer from social anxiety.
Which dogs suffer more from separation anxiety?
There are obstacles that dog owners may have to overcome, and separation anxiety is one of them.
About 42% of dog owners said that their dog’s separation anxiety is a challenge.
The breeds in which separation anxiety was most common were:
- dachshund
- Yorkshire Terriers
While these dogs are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety, any dog can become anxious when separated from their owners.
According to American Humane, it can cause dogs to bark and cry, exhibit destructive behavior, or soil the house when their owner leaves or shortly after they leave.
Loyalty and other characteristics
According to the survey, the most loyal dog breeds are:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- German Shepherds
- Chihuahua
According to Golden State German Shepherd Rescue, German Shepherds are large, typically have a lot of energy, and are constantly looking for something to do.
Meanwhile, Pitbulls are also very energetic, and according to Dogster, daily exercise is crucial to ensure they stay healthy. However, due to their controversial past, pit bulls can be stigmatized and are banned in certain counties or cities.
For example, after a seven-year-old girl was attacked by a pit bull in 1989, the ownership of pit bulls was banned in Miami-Dade, according to the Miami Herald.
In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law prohibiting local governments and public housing authorities from banning dogs of a certain breed, weight or size.
So, which dog should you get?
Sorry to complicate things, but there is no single right answer that applies to everyone.
Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and each breed was bred for a different task, according to the study.
People should think of the survey as a guide rather than a shopping list, Tedeschi said.
Just because mixed breed dogs and Labradors are the most popular companion dogs doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best dogs for everyone.
Hypothetically, a Chihuahua might be the best companion for a single woman living on the 19th floor of a 20-story building, while a rescued 5-year-old mixed breed from the shelter would be the best buddy for an older gentleman, and a Goldendoodle would be the perfect playmate for a young family with three children.
Everyone’s situation is different, so it takes some research and time to figure out which dog will best fit into your life.
Good luck!
Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered a variety of topics, from local business and government in her hometown of Miami to technology and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz
