Top dog: Here are America’s five most popular canines per Rover

Today is National Dog Day. Though, let’s be honest, dog owners will tell you that every day is dog day. Maybe you make today extra-special for your pup(s) by giving them a new toy or taking them to their favorite park.

If you need other suggestions, browse the National Dog Day website nationaldogday.com. It has fun suggestions, like taking your dog to the beach of having a photo shoot, and more meaningful tips, like donating toys, food and blankets to a local shelter and writing to your representative and asking them to support the ban of puppy mills and gas chambers in your state.

Of course, the best dog breed is the one you have at home, but which dog breeds reigned supreme across the country this year? The people at Rover, the site for pet owners looking for dog walkers and pet sitters, analyzed its database of pet parents and found this year’s most popular dog breeds.

Here’s a look at the top five breeds in America this year:

Mixed Breed

Mixed breed dogs typically have three or more different breeds in their lineage. They often live longer than purebred dogs and with fewer health problems. They also can be easier to train. When looking to adopt a mixed breed dog, Rover recommends against picking a pup based on looks or how you think they will behave based on its combination of breeds. Instead, look for a dog whose energy level matches yours. If you’re interested in learning exactly what breeds your dog comes from, consider a doggy DNA test.

Labrador Retriever

Friendly, outgoing and active, Labrador retrievers consistently place high in dog breed rankings. Labradors are good with children and other dogs and cats and typically live between 10 and 12 years. These water dogs also are great to take on hunting trips, and they likely wouldn’t say no to dock diving or agility courses. Many Labrador retrievers work as service dogs, in search-and-rescue operations and in drug and bomb detection. A home with a big yard and plenty of space to play fetch is perfect for a Labrador retriever.

Chihuahua

Small but mighty, Chihuahuas like to cuddle but also need a lot of exercise and playtime. They typically live between 14 and 16 years and are easy to train. These little dogs prefer to live in calm environments, so a home with small children might not be the best. According to Rover, Chihuahuas don’t like being left alone, so someone who works part-time or from home would make a great owner. Chihuahuas fit in a variety of environments, even small apartments. Just bundle them up in the winter, and they’ll be happy campers.

German Shepherd

Social, curious and always up for a walk, German shepherds are great for the person who likes to explore new places. German shepherds are courageous, very loyal and develop strong bonds with their family. They make strong guard dogs because of this. German shepherds are good with dogs, cats and children and typically live between 7 and 10 years. They make great students and are said to excel in training. German shepherds are hardworking pups, often used as police and service dogs.

Golden Retriever

Coming in at No. 5 is the breed many probably thought would take the top spot, the golden retriever. Golden retrievers are known for being playful and good with dogs, cats and children. They’re very trusting, and their intelligence makes them great trainees. Golden retrievers typically live between 10 and 12 years. Like the Labrador, golden retrievers love big yards and running off-leash. They’d also be happy to take a swim in the lake. Though happy-go-lucky, golden retrievers are hard workers, too, often working as hunting or field dogs, guide dogs and in search-and-rescue operations.

The top 20 is rounded out by the Yorkshire terrier, shih tzu, dachshund, goldendoodle, boxer, poodle, Australian shepherd, beagle, Siberian husky, American pit bull terrier, Maltese, labradoodle, French bulldog, pug and pomeranian. The Rover list also can be broken down by city. While Spokane isn’t an option, you can get an idea of what dogs are most popular in the Pacific Northwest by checking out the top 5 pups in Seattle and Portland.

This year, Seattle residents loved labradoodles, followed closely by pugs, Boston terriers, goldendoodles and Australian shepherds. Portlanders also loved labradoodles, followed by boxers, Australian shepherds, beagles and goldendoodles.

Interestingly, there is little similarity between top five lists from Seattle and Portland and New York City and Philadelphia. In the Big Apple, dog lovers gravitated toward Havanese, Maltese, French bulldog, pomeranian and shih tzu. In the City of Brotherly Love, the bichon frise, Jack Russell terrier, American pit bull terrier, beagle and French bulldog reigned supreme.