Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Canada of 2026 (With Info & Pictures)
From mixed breeds to purebreds and designer crossbreeds, Canada loves dogs! Each year, the Canadian Kennel Club creates a list of the most popular dog breeds in the country.1 The Labrador Retriever has held the top spot as the most popular dog breed in Canada for decades and remains the most popular, but there are a few new entries on the list.
Take a look at the rankings for the top 20 most popular dog breeds in Canada. You might be surprised by the results!
The 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Canada
1. Labrador Retriever
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The Labrador Retriever has held the top spot as Canada’s most popular dog breed for over 30 years! It’s not surprising why. This dog is great with children, active, playful, kind, and gentle. They love to spend time with their family, and their high intelligence makes them easy to train.
Labradors need an active home with plenty of opportunities to burn off their energy. Otherwise, they tend to become destructive.
2. Golden Retriever
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Golden Retrievers are loving and loyal dogs, but they are also a working breed. They take their “jobs” seriously and are relatively easy to train. Goldens are known for their need to please, and they will do just about anything to make their owners happy.
This friendly disposition and strong work ethic make them a popular choice for guide dogs and family companions.
3. German Shepherd
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German Shepherds are high-energy, working dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy. They are incredibly loyal to their family members but often standoffish to outsiders. Since they have “guarding” tendencies, these dogs require extensive socialization as puppies to avoid becoming overly reactive.
4. Standard Poodle
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The Standard Poodle is the most popular Poodle breed in Canada. You can also find these dogs in miniature and toy sizes. All sizes of Poodle are highly intelligent. While they often gain a reputation for being pampered pets, they are hardworking dogs that are happy to join you on outdoor adventures.
Poodles are one of many “hypoallergenic” dog breeds, as they don’t shed. This desirable quality appeals to many owners who don’t want to pick up dog hair everywhere. However, it also means you’ll have to invest in regular grooming.
5. French Bulldog
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French Bulldogs have become increasingly popular in recent years and hold the top spot as the most popular small breed dog in Canada. Their loving personality makes them an excellent companion pet, and they are adaptable to any living situation.
Since they only have moderate exercise requirements, they are more than happy with one or two walks a day, with plenty of time to lounge around in between. This makes them a fantastic dog choice for urban dwellers who may not have the space or time to manage high-energy breeds.
As a purebred dog, French Bulldogs can be quite expensive. They are also prone to many health issues, so it’s important to search out a reputable breeder and do your homework, so you know what you’re up against.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
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Shetland Sheepdogs are often mistaken for Rough Collies due to their appearance, but they are a distinct breed originating from Scotland. As their name implies, they are bred for herding and have the same sensitive nature as most other herding breeds.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent, easy to train, and quite loving. They get along well with other animals and children and can detect the emotions of those around them.
7. Australian Shepherd
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The personality of the Australian Shepherd is directly tied to their strong work ethic and herding abilities. These dogs have an extremely high prey drive. Combined with their boundless energy, this means they need constant mental stimulation and exercise. Exercise isn’t optional when you have an Aussie in the house. They will quickly become unmanageable and destructive if they don’t get it.
Aussies need good socialization as puppies. While they are affectionate with their families, they can become possessive and territorial toward strangers. This often means they will prefer to avoid interaction with outsiders, remaining by their owner’s side.
8. Havanese
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The Havanese is a highly intelligent and easily trained dog that gets along well with children and other animals. This is a popular breed for emotional support and therapy dogs.
Despite their size, Havanese dogs are vocal and athletic. They excel in dog agility sports and have an exceptionally high amount of energy that needs to be burned off regularly. They also tend to become quite vocal about their need for companionship. This isn’t a dog that should be left alone for long periods.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
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The Bernese Mountain Dog is a big, powerful dog that originates from Switzerland. These working dogs were charged with pulling heavy equipment on farms and guarding livestock, but while these dogs are big, they’re gentle giants around their owners. They’re smart, easy to train, and eager to please.
Although they can be shy around strangers, Bernese Mountain Dogs make great family pets because they are gentle and affectionate with children.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a sweet and gentle nature. These dogs aren’t high-energy, and their small size makes them great lap dogs. They are also adaptable and good with kids, so they’re ideal for urban dwellers and families.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are incredibly loyal and form strong bonds with their family members. They don’t do well when left alone for long periods, so despite their low energy demands, they do better in busy households than with singles.
11. Cockapoo
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Cockapoos are a designer crossbreed between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. They are considered a hypoallergenic, non-shedding dog, and their friendly nature makes them a popular family pet. Since they’re a crossbreed, their size, coat color, and personality vary between dogs, but they are generally fairly easygoing.
Like the Poodle, Cockapoos require extensive grooming to keep their coats healthy.
12. Border Collie
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To know a Border Collie is to love one, but this dog breed’s workaholic nature can be too much for some owners, and it’s important to know what you’re getting into before owning one. Border Collies will work all day, literally, and then keep going. They demand high levels of activity and mental stimulation to be happy, and most of them have to be taught how to rest because they won’t do it on their own.
This herding breed is easy to train and will happily train themselves if you don’t. Most often, it will be to do something that you don’t like, so it’s important to set boundaries early. While Border Collies are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their owners, they are often shy around strangers. They also have a sensitive nature that can lead to them becoming reactive if not addressed adequately.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
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Don’t let their size fool you; Yorkshire Terriers are feisty and brave, just like other terrier breeds. Their small size was selectively bred for ratting in the mines and mills of England long before they were carried around as pets. Their size lends well to them being apartment dogs, and they are also considered hypoallergenic for those with allergies.
Yorkies are good watchdogs and happy to announce visitors (or cars driving by on the street). Their unique personalities are entertaining, and these dogs can offer years of laughter.
14. Dachshund
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The Dachshund is commonly referred to as the “wiener dog” due to their long body and stubby legs. These dogs may be tiny, but they are vigilant watchdogs that will be happy to supervise both your house and your entire neighborhood.
This breed was developed to take on vicious predators like badgers and raccoons, so they have a strong prey drive. This makes them dangerous for small pets like gerbils or hamsters, but they can get along with bigger animals just fine.
15. Beagle
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The Beagle is an independent dog breed that has excellent tracking skills. Once they lock onto a smell, they have no trouble following it for miles. These dogs are happy and eager to please, which makes them amiable companions.
These dogs are quite active, but their strong tracking instincts mean they don’t do well off-leash. They can easily dig under fences or scurry down holes to follow their prey of choice.
16. Pomeranian
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What the Pomeranian lacks in size, they make up for in personality. This toy breed has a “big dog” demeanor and has no problem making their feelings known. As an intelligent breed, Pomeranians are easy to train and get along well with older children.
They are quite active, but they can easily be exercised indoors because of their size.
See Also: Is a Pomeranian Hypoallergenic?
17. Boxer
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Boxers are playful dogs that have earned a reputation for being good with children. This dog breed is exceptionally watchful and tends to take guard dog duties seriously. Boxers are brave and meet any perceived threat head-on, which can get them into trouble.
Since they make such good watchdogs, Boxers must be well-socialized with people and other animals while they are puppies, to avoid them being perceived as threats later.
18. Pug
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Pugs are known for their wide range of facial expressions that entertain. Their ability to express surprise and curiosity has delighted owners for centuries, and they love to clown around and make people laugh.
Pugs are happy anywhere and make ideal house dogs. They are good with kids or seniors, as only pets, or with other animals. Pugs enjoy food a little too much, though, so owners will want to take extra care with these dogs to make sure they are promoting a healthy body weight.
19. Shih Tzu
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This small dog breed is particularly loving toward children and makes a great pet if you are lacking in outdoor space. Shih Tzus are good lap dogs and have lower exercise requirements than many other breeds.
Shih Tzus are born entertainers who will provide you with plenty of laughs, and their big, dark eyes are sure to have them charming their way into your heart in no time.
20. Great Dane
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The Great Dane is an easygoing dog breed, which is probably a good thing, considering their exceptional size. While they are a joy to live with, their size shouldn’t be taken lightly because they can be incredibly imposing inside the house. These dogs tower over most people when they stand on their hind legs, and unfortunately, their movements aren’t that graceful.
Great Danes are alert dogs that can easily become home guardians. Their loud bark and their size will usually scare off any would-be intruders, and the Great Dane isn’t likely to welcome them in, anyway. These dogs are people pleasers and easily make friends with people and other animals around them.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this list of Canada's top 20 most popular dog breeds. The list's diversity is representative of Canadians' diversity, living situations, and lifestyles. The dogs range from small, urban dwellers to working farm dogs and everything in between.
Featured Image Credit: YamaBSM, Pixabay
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Chelsie is a freelance writer who is passionate about helping owners and pets live their best lives. She resides in rural Alberta, Canada with her husband and two sons, and is currently a pet parent to four horses, four cats, and a Border Collie .
