A new national analysis of Google search data confirms what many Americans already suspect: the Golden Retriever is the country’s favorite dog, at least when it comes to online interest.
According to research released by Pet Insurance Deals, the Golden Retriever is the most-searched dog breed in 49 out of 50 U.S. states, racking up an average of 1,081,092 monthly searches. The study examined 12 months of Google Keyword Planner data, analyzing 288 dog breeds and common queries such as “[breed] puppies for sale,” “adopt [breed],” and “[breed] dog near me.”
California led the pack with 136,772 monthly searches for Golden Retrievers—more than any other breed in any state—followed by Texas (97,558) and Florida (83,569).
The only exception? Utah, where the Bernese Mountain Dog claimed the top spot with 10,010 searches, narrowly beating the Golden Retriever’s 9,975.
“It’s easy to see why Golden Retrievers topped this study: their friendly temperament, intelligence, and adaptability make them ideal family companions,” said Tom Sadler, managing director of Pet Insurance Deals. “They’re symbolic of the American lifestyle, though fun fact: they actually originated in Scotland.”
While Golden Retrievers dominated the rankings, several other breeds drew major interest:
America’s Top 10 Most-Searched Dog Breeds:
- Golden Retriever – 1,081,092
- Australian Shepherd – 768,817
- French Bulldog – 733,713
- German Shepherd Dog – 711,683
- Belgian Malinois – 636,226
- Bernese Mountain Dog – 589,136
- Great Pyrenees – 525,683
- Border Collie – 517,078
- Great Dane – 497,293
- Shiba Inu – 492,442
The results also revealed a few surprises. The Labrador Retriever, long considered America’s most popular dog by registration numbers, placed just 27th in search volume with 239,182 monthly queries. The Beagle, another perennial favorite, ranked 59th with 140,765.
Jason Wilson, founder of Caninely, a dog-centric lifestyle platform, said the data reflects more than curiosity—it reflects lifestyle aspirations.
“Dogs are more than pets—they’re part of our families,” Wilson told Travelbinger. “The Golden Retriever represents something comforting and nostalgic. They’re active enough for adventure seekers and gentle enough for laid-back households.”
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd, which ranked second, isn’t Australian at all. The breed originated in the U.S., primarily in California and Colorado during the 19th century.
Sadler noted that regional differences may reflect climate, lifestyle, or even social media trends. “In colder states, larger or more rugged breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog often trend higher,” he said.
Methodology:
Search data was collected using Google Keyword Planner from March 2024 to February 2025. Researchers compiled the combined monthly search volume for each dog breed across eight related search phrases and calculated the top breeds by state and overall.
