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Rover just released their Top Breeds Report, which reveals the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. And, while there are a few surprises on their list, the breeds at the top are recognizable to just about everyone. This year's rundown finds the lovable Mixed Breed at the top of the list, followed by the Labrador Retriever, Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Chihuahua, French Bulldog, and Daschund. They also announced the top trending breeds, with the Miniature Poodle and Bernedoodle getting the most attention.
These familiar furry faces are fun to look at, but what really caught our eye are the rarest dog breeds in the country, most of which we've never heard of. According to Rover, some of these are so rare that they're not even recognized by the AKC, which requires at least 300 dogs in 20 states to be included in their organization.
While we love perusing all of these popular breeds, we always encourage adopting from your local shelter or rescue organization if at all possible. After all, mixed breeds are often the best dogs. I had my dog DNA tested, and he's a delightful combination of 11 different breeds (talk about rare!).
If you think the King Shepherd looks familiar, you're right! This beautiful breed is a hybrid of the German Shepherd (who sits at #5 on the most popular list) and the shiloh shepherd. Its size sets it apart: The average male King Shepherd weighs between 90 and 150 pounds, compared to 65-90 pounds for a German Shepherd.
The black-and-tan English Toy Terrier weighs in at just 4-12 pounds and is a close relative to the Manchester Toy Terrier. The tiny dogs were originally bred to track down rats and other vermin.
Canaan Dog has several coat colors recognized by the AKC: Black, Cream, Golden, Liver, Red, Tan, and White. Rare in the U.S., it is the national dog of Israel. The breed is thought to date back thousands of years.
4
Black Russian Terrier
Pureradiancephoto//Getty Images
Some think the Black Russian Terrier resembles the trending Bernedoodle. The large breed (up to 130 pounds) has ties to the Russian army. It has a curly double coat that requires some grooming.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Sakhalin Husky
Wirestock//Getty Images
Rover notes this dog breed as "extremely rare" and even on the risk of extinction. With origins in Sakhalin Island, Russia, it is the smallest of the husky breeds.
The beautiful Saluki dates back to ancient Egypt but is not popular among U.S. dog owners. Much like the greyhound, which it resembles, the Saluki is tall, slim, and fast.
8
German Spitz
Sue Thatcher//Getty Images
If you think the German Spitz resembles a Pomeranian, you're right! The two breeds are closely related. Unlike the playful Pom, the German Spitz is bred in three sizes: Toy, Medium, and Large, ranging in weight from 10 to 50 pounds.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Patterdale Terrier
CaptureLight//Getty Images
At first glance, a Patterdale Terrier looks a bit like a Lab, but they're considerably smaller and have a rough or wiry coat in Chocolate, Black, Tan, or a combination of those colors. The dog is more popular in the U.K, but rare in the U.S.
10
Portuguese Podengo
aronaze//Getty Images
The distinctive Portuguese Podengo is known to be intelligent and independent and are keen hunters. They're bred in two sizes (medium and large) and have either a wiry or smooth coat.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue
