The Most Popular Puppies by State

November 27, 2023

The perfect puppy for you is the dog breed that’s right for your lifestyle and energy level. If you’re curious about the most popular puppies, then you’ve come to the right place. Petland Miami lays out the most popular puppy breed in each state of America! 

NEW ENGLAND

Predating the American Revolution, New England was the first formed region of our beautiful country. Famous for New England clam chowder, Maine lobster, Vermont maple syrup, Boston cream pie, and the nation’s smallest state, Rhode Island, this area of the United States is also a hotbed of popular puppies!  

• Maine – Bullmastiff
• New Hampshire – Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Samoyed
• Vermont – Golden Retriever, Samoyed, and Newfoundland
• Massachusetts – Golden Retriever and Samoyed
• Rhode Island – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise
• Connecticut – Bichon Frise and Siberian Husky

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This popular dog breed is an all-around beauty! Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, beautiful companion dogs. They are small in size and have a cheerful disposition. 

Samoyed

The Samoyed is a friendly, personable, and strong dog breed. Pure white and medium size, this popular dog breed is intelligent with a touch of independence. 

Golden Retriever 

Outgoing, trustworthy, and eager to please, the Golden Retriever has been the #1 family dog for nearly a century. It’s no wonder that Goldies are one of the most popular puppies in New England!

MIDDLE ATLANTIC

The Big Apple, the city of brotherly love, and the best casino hub in the northeast, the Middle Atlantic region has character! We’re talking about New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. As of recently, there’s one dog breed that has dominated in this corner of the country. Can you guess the most popular puppy in this region?

• New York – Shiba Inu, Poodle, and Maltese
• Pennsylvania – Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler
• New Jersey – Shiba Inu, Bichon Frise, and Samoyed

Shiba Inu

Originating from Japan, the Shiba Inu is a strong but little dog breed. These dogs are alert, loyal, and lively. They respond well to consistent dog training, as their high intelligence aids in learning and pleasing their owners. 

MIDWEST 

The “fly over” states have so much more to offer than aerial views! From cheese to hotdogs to football to that all-American, wholesome way of life, the Midwest is packed with promise… and puppies! But there are three dog breeds that really stand out. Check out the most popular puppies by state, and the three most popular breeds for the entire region!

• Ohio – German Shepherd and Rottweiler
• Michigan – Bullmastiff and Golden Retriever 
• Wisconsin – Bichon Frise and Labrador Retriever 
• Indiana – Goldendoodle and German Shepherd
• Illinois – Rottweiler and Poodle
• Minnesota – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Labrador Retriever 
• Iowa – Labrador Retriever, Basset Hound, and Brittany 
• North Dakota – Brittany, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Dalmatian 
• South Dakota – Labrador Retriever, Brittany, and Dachshund 
• Nebraska – Cocker Spaniel, Havanese, and Papillon
• Kansas – Weimaraner and Dalmatian 

German Shepherd

This large dog breed is intelligent, loyal, and courageous. German Shepherds are one of the top working dogs for police and military. This speaks to their high trainability and intelligence. German Shepherds make great family dogs and they’re good with children. 

Labrador Retriever 

Another top puppy choice for families with children of all ages, the Labrador Retriever has been winning hearts and loving homes for decades. Labs come in three colors, black, chocolate, and yellow. They have short, dense fur. This breed is considered the easiest to train out of all of the purebred dog breeds. 

Rottweiler  

A well-known guard dog turned family pet, the Rottweiler is a devoted, fearless, and confident dog. Rottweilers require a great deal of socialization throughout their puppyhood to help them desensitize to “new people and places.” A socialized and trained Rottweiler is one of the best dog breeds, period. We recommend that you either spay or neuter your Rottweiler to ensure easier training and obedience. 

SOUTH

The South has a rich history, amazing food, and such varieties of climates, wildlife, and cultures that we’re surprised it isn’t a handful of countries! From Mardigras to bluegrass music to accents that make English sound foreign, you’re in for a treat once you cross the Mason-Dixon line! As diverse as the South is, the three most popular dog breeds of this region couldn’t be more different from one another! 

• Maryland – Bichon Frise and Poodle
• Delaware – Chow Chow, Bichon Frise, and Dalmatian
• Virginia – Bichon Frise and Poodle
• West Virginia – German Shepherd, Jack Russell Terrier, and Dalmatian
• North Carolina – Goldendoodle and Poodle
• South Carolina – Poodle, Jack Russell Terrier, and Cocker Spaniel
• Georgia – Bulldog, Goldendoodle, and Poodle
• Florida – Maltese, Goldendoodle, and Jack Russell Terrier
• Kentucky – Weimaraner, Goldendoodle, and German Shepherd
• Tennessee – Goldendoodle, Dachshund, and Poodle
• Oklahoma – Chow Chow, Schnauzer, and Dachshund
• Alabama – Poodle, American Pitbull Terrier, and Dachshund
• Mississippi – Rottweiler, American Pitbull Terrier, and Cane Corso
• Louisiana – Poodle, Cane Corso, and Maltese
• Missouri – American Pitbull Terrier and Dachshund 
• Arkansas – Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, and Jack Russell Terrier

Poodle

The top hypoallergenic puppy choice for people who have dog fur sensitivities, the Poodle has become the quintessential hypoallergenic dog. Poodles are intelligent, affectionate, and obedient when trained consistently throughout the first 9 months of life. They come in three sizes, Standard, Miniature, and Toy. All of the most popular hypoallergenic hybrid dog breeds are half-Poodle! 

Bichon Frise

Cute as a button and white as a ghost, the Bichon Frise is an adorable lap dog who lives to love! This purebred dog is very friendly with strangers. And has a calm temperament. We often recommend Bichon Frise to individuals and families who want a lower maintenance dog that will be healthy and satisfied with only one walk per day. 

Jack Russell Terrier

A feisty little powerhouse, the Jack Russell Terrier is a high-energy dog. If you’re athletic and want your dog to accompany you on jogs, hikes, long walks, and other outdoor exercise, a Jack Russell Terrier will fit the bill. Jack Russell Terriers are not known to get along with cats and other furry creatures due to their prey drive. 

Goldendoodle 

Half Poodle, half Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodle has become a popular choice for families. This designer dog breed looks and feels like a snuggly teddy bear. Goldendoodles are very affectionate. And they have a lot of energy. It’s no wonder that the southern states have taken a shine to this lovable dog breed. 

WEST

Howdy, partner! The great American West might have started with the Gold Rush, but it ends with two popular dog breeds that this entire region seems to love the most! Interestingly, the two most popular dog breeds in the West are both guard dogs that have come to be excellent companion and family breeds. Here’s the state by state breakdown before we reveal the top two dog breeds in the West.

• Texas – Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, and Schnauzer 
• Montana – Mastiff, Labrador Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi 
• Wyoming – Dachshund, Basenji, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• Colorado – Golden Retriever and Chow Chow
• New Mexico – Doberman Pinscher and Pug 
• Idaho – Goldendoodle, Newfoundland, and Basenji
• Utah – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, and Goldendoodle 
• Arizona – Doberman Pinscher and Pug 
• Washington – Samoyed and Shiba Inu
• Oregon – Labradoodle and Basenji
• Nevada – Maltese, Chow Chow, and Shiba Inu
• California – Maltipoo, French Bulldog, and Pomeranian 

Doberman Pinscher

A well-trained Doberman Pinscher is a work of art. This dog breed is truly fearless and it comes with a built-in dominant streak. We only recommend Dobermans to dog owners who are willing to dedicate the time, energy, and commitment to thoroughly training their Doberman Pinschers. Highly intelligent and obedient, a Doberman Pinscher is capable of learning complex household rules and taking pride in his role in the family. It’s not hard to see why the Doberman is one of the most popular puppies! 

Chow Chow

The Chow Chow originated as a guard dog that accompanied imports from China. Today, Chow Chows retain their guard dog instincts while serving as a loving and obedient family dog. This breed bonds deeply with its owner. Chow Chows are highly trainable. And no other breed quite compares to their beautiful “lion” appearance. 

PACIFIC

Last but certainly not least are two American states outside of the Contiguous U.S. We’re talking about Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska is the size of ⅕ of the 48 United States combined, and Hawaii could fit inside of Massachusetts! Check out these states’ most popular puppies. 

• Alaska – Basset Hound, Siberian Husky, and Irish Wolfhound 
• Hawaii – Pomeranian, Shiba Inu, and Maltese

PUREBRED AND HYPOALLERGENIC PUPPIES FOR SALE AT PETLAND FLORIDA

With very few exceptions, Petland Miami carries all of the purebred dogs featured in this article. The most popular dog breeds in the sunshine state of Florida include Maltese, Goldendoodle, and Jack Russell Terrier. And Petland Miami has seen its fair share of happy customers take home these loyal family dogs. 

All of our purebred puppies are American Kennel Club registered. They are healthy and properly socialized. We only work with ethical dog breeders in Florida and across the county. We guarantee healthy puppies with our Petland Puppy for a Lifetime Promise. Our No Puppy Mill Guarantee speaks to our commitment to animal welfare. Petland Miami holds the highest standards for dog breeding. 

All of the puppies we receive from our responsible puppy breeders were raised inside, in loving environments, with their mothers. And they received veterinarian care daily throughout the first 8 weeks of their life. We do not work with breeders who keep their puppies outside in kennels, period. Ask our pet counselors about the ethical dog breeders we work with, or visit the Cares page of this website. 

For customers with allergies and sensitivities to dog fur, we have hypoallergenic dog breeds for sale. These include Miniature Aussiedoodle puppies, Cavachon puppies, Goldendoodle puppies, and Havanese puppies to name a few. For the best family dogs, the best hiking dogs, the best dogs for active people, and also the best companion dogs for a low-energy lifestyle, come to Petland Miami and meet the available puppies!