TOP 10 most popular dog breeds in Russia in 2021

Man's best friend, faithful companion, friend of good or bad - this is what owners say about dogs. Among dogs, there are popular dog breeds that people most often get. Although all dogs have one thing in common - the boundless and selfless love that they can give to their guardian. Their personalities differ slightly depending on the breed they belong to.

There are currently about 340 different dog breeds in the world. Some of them have status - fashionable dog breeds, common dog breeds or the most famous dog breeds - because people are much more likely to choose them as their four-legged friends than other breeds. Here are the most popular dog breeds in Russia and abroad.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds have enjoyed undiminished popularity in all rankings of popular dog breeds for many years. The Sheepdog, colloquially called a “wolf,” is a dog that is highly versatile. She can be an excellent tracker, a rescuer, and even an assistant to the disabled. German Shepherds are often service dogs in the army, police and other law enforcement agencies. With proper upbringing, this is a self-confident, courageous, but at the same time wise and disciplined animal.

Table: the most popular large dog breeds in 2022

Yorkshire Terrier

Not a single rating of the most popular dog breeds would be complete without the Yorkshire Terrier. This is a real volcano of energy enclosed in a small body. Yorkshire Terriers, despite their very small size, are brave, self-confident and arrogant. They have such passion and fighting spirit that they can take on dogs much larger than themselves. These pets have a lot of character and want to dominate, so they need a full-time guardian.

Dachshund

Bred as a hunting burrowing dog, the German Dachshund, through the process of artificial selection, became shorter-legged and became prone to certain diseases. If you handle your Dachshund incorrectly, it may develop problems with its spine; and if you exercise little, your dog may become obese.

Dachshunds were bred as burrowing hunting dogs.

With a healthy approach from an experienced breeder, an energetic, cheerful and loyal Dachshund can live a long and prosperous life. Dog breeders are advised to carefully train the dachshund: despite its small size and generally non-scandalous character, the dachshund can show serious aggression.

Schnauzer

There are 3 varieties of this breed - miniature, medium and giant schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer, as the name suggests, is the smallest variety. He is extremely active, attentive and fearless. The Medium Schnauzer is slightly less excitable than the Miniature Schnauzer, but more than the Giant Schnauzer. On the other hand, Giant Schnauzers are the quietest of all three varieties, but lack curiosity and courage. Regardless of their size, all Schnauzers are intelligent, loyal and have extraordinary strength of character. They are also strong willed and love to dominate. They are eager to play, but will also cuddle and lay on the couch.

Pug

The pug is a very ancient breed, bred in China. Even in early Chinese manuscripts you can find references to these dogs.

These small pets have long been considered representatives of the “elite” breed, so they were kept mainly by people of noble origin.

Pugs have a lively, cheerful and at the same time balanced character. They quickly get used to their owner and become very affectionate .

Having got such a dog, you need to carefully monitor his diet, otherwise he may become obese and this will significantly reduce his average life expectancy.

Important! The respiratory system of these dogs is very vulnerable, so the owner should avoid overworking the pet, preventing it from staying in a stuffy room for a long time or overheating in hot weather.

Labrador Retriever

Labradors are medium-sized dogs with short, coarse, biscuit, chocolate or black coats. They are family animals, gentle, funny, full of love for the environment and passionate about the world. They are also distinguished by their extraordinary hard work and quick assimilation of knowledge, so they are often assistants to the disabled, guide dogs for the blind, and also work in various services - for example, in the field of drug detection. Because of their friendliness, they are not very good watchdogs.

Pekingese

The sacred dog of the Chinese emperors was bred more than 2,000 years ago, but came to Europe only in the middle of the 19th century. Before that, mere mortals were prohibited from owning Pekingese.

Pekingese - the sacred dog of Chinese emperors

In full accordance with its status, the Pekingese demands attention and respect. Pekingese love to be pampered and treat others kindly, but with a bit of arrogance. If you don't pay enough attention to these dogs, they can start playing pranks in the house, gnawing and throwing things around, and getting into exactly those places where they shouldn't.

Golden retriever

Some people confuse Goldens and Labradors due to their similar size and appearance. So how are they different? Well, golden hair, unlike Labradors, is golden, long and wavy. In terms of personality, Goldens are more sensitive than Labradors. They adapt more to their caregiver. They need his attention and companionship. They are almost non-aggressive and very friendly. Like Labradors, they are ideal pets for families with children, but are not suitable as watchdogs.

11.Chow-chow

The name “chow-chow” means “shaggy lion”. Indeed, a dog with a lush mane resembles a miniature lion. At home, the chow chow is not very active, almost lazy, and the owner will almost have to force the pet to walk. If you do not pay attention to the physical form of the Chow Chow, the dog runs the risk of becoming fat and completely lazy.

Chow chows only obey their owner and are wary of others.

Breeders say that Chow Chow dogs are very loving, but reserved. They show their affection only to the most important people. The Chow Chow is wary of strangers and sometimes aggressive if provoked into contact.

Siberian Husky

Representatives of this breed are often included in lists of the most popular dog breeds, not only because of their characteristic captivating eyes, but also because of their unique character and great sociability. Famous Huskies are energetic and need a lot of exercise. They love winter and snow.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and is considered one of the most beloved on Earth. This breed is truly common and can be found in the deserts of Mexico, on the boulevards of Paris and in the chic apartments of New York.

Like a rare and expensive spice, Chihuahua can change the taste of life. The Chihuahua is much more than a small dog. The special status of this breed is determined by its function in life. Other breeds had to earn their living by catching rabbits, herding sheep, or hunting ducks, but not the adorable Chihuahua. From the very beginning, people seem to have reserved a higher calling for them: friendship.

French Bulldog

French bulldogs are small but quite massive dogs. They love affection and have fun with their owner. They get along well with children. Before buying a bulldog, remember that this breed gets tired quickly during physical activity and can make characteristic sounds - for example, grunting, snoring.

Description of popular small dogs

The popularity of small dogs has increased primarily in large cities - residents of megalopolises are actively buying Spitz, Chihuahua, terrier, pug, and corgi puppies. This year (compared to the previous year), the number of miniature dogs throughout Russia increased by 1%, and in Moscow and St. Petersburg the increase was 13% (according to the research agency Kantar TNS). The situation is similar in other countries. The fact that small dogs are gaining popularity in megacities is understandable - people are busy, they do not have the opportunity to walk with their pets for a long time, and the little ones require a minimum of time for street promenades. In addition, keeping small pets in city apartments is much more convenient and safer than keeping a huge Great Dane or Shepherd.

German Spitz

The German Spitz has been the most popular dog in Russia for two years in a row. According to the Russian Cynological Federation, 38 thousand puppies of this breed were born in our country in 2022. Dogs are valued for their good health and balanced character. Spitz dogs are also easy to keep and easy to train.

Spitz dogs are small in size, but thanks to their sensitive hearing and ringing bark, they can become excellent guards (they won’t protect, but they will warn the owner about the threat)

Chihuahua

Many celebrities have Chihuahuas. This affects the spread of the breed - people want to be like their idols and also get such pets. For example, Demi Moore, Pamela Anderson, Scarlett Johansson, Britney Spears, Adrien Brody, Salma Hayek, Madonna have Chihuahuas. By the way, one of the most famous lovers of dogs of this breed was Marilyn Monroe.

Many girls who want to be like sophisticated divas like Marilyn Monroe get themselves such tiny dogs

Yorkshire Terrier

A couple of years ago, Yorkies ranked first in popularity among small dogs. Now terriers have lost their positions, although they have not completely left the ranking (for example, in Russia, Great Britain, and France they are among the five most actively purchased dogs).

One of the main advantages of the breed is the complete absence of shedding and the specific dog smell. York is compact and easy to care for; there are no problems keeping a dog in a city apartment.

Their small size and weight make it possible to keep Yorkies even in small apartments; if desired, they can be trained to go to the toilet in a tray

Jack Russell Terrier

A compact breed that began to become popular in 1994, when The Mask starring Jim Carrey was released. Many people wanted to have the same Milo, the dog from the film with a mischievous character. True, in Russia, Jack Russell Terriers were very difficult to get for a long time. Only in recent years have many puppies appeared in local nurseries and the price for them has become quite reasonable.

The Jack Russell Terrier is considered one of the most restless dogs

Welsh Corgi

In 2022, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi literally burst into the ranking of popular dogs, whereas a couple of years ago it was listed in the category of rare and little recognizable. These short-legged dogs are the favorites of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. But it was not this fact that made them popular, but the fact that the dogs, because of their funny appearance, became the heroes of numerous Internet memes. In 2022, the popularity of the breed was increased by the release of the cartoon The Queen's Corgi, after which many children began asking their parents to buy them the same cute puppy.

The Welsh Corgi is considered one of the funniest breeds

French Bulldog

The French Bulldog has a memorable appearance. Its body is shortened, and its muzzle is quite massive with a flattened muzzle and large erect ears. By nature, he is a cheerful and active dog. He loves children, welcomes guests well, but in case of danger he is ready to desperately defend the owner and his family.

The French Bulldog combines a rugged appearance and compact size, ideal for keeping in a city apartment.

Pug

According to a study by Highland Canine Training, pugs take first place in two rankings at once: as the most popular dogs on the Internet (videos with them are most often searched for in a search engine) and as the most recognizable dogs (people accurately name the breed after seeing a photo of a pug). More and more people want to get this funny dog ​​also because many celebrities have chosen this breed for themselves. Blogger Ira Smelaya, writer Daria Dontsova, fashion historian Alexander Vasilyev, actors George Clooney, Jessica Alba, Gerard Butler have pugs.

Pugs are very cheerful and love to go for walks.

Dachshund

Dachshunds are long-bodied, short-legged dogs, medium in size, but very self-confident and fearless. The popularity of dogs is due to the fact that they are very comfortable. These are compact and very clean dogs, but at the same time, dachshunds never turn into spoiled sissies who shake from everything and demand to be carried in arms all the time.

Despite their short legs, dachshunds are very nimble and agile, it’s not for nothing that they were previously used for hunting

Toy Terrier

Toy terriers have an active character; they love to play both indoors and outdoors. And this is not just a whim - physical activity is very important for these dogs. If you don't play with your toy, he will start to get fat. The disadvantage of the breed is that it is cocky towards other dogs and dislikes children (this is explained by the fact that children, through negligence, can hurt the animal).

The advantage of a toy terrier is their size: you can go to the store with such a dog, carry it in a bag, take it with you on long walks around the city or on trips

English cocker spaniel

In the 1980s, Cocker Spaniels won prizes in the “Most Beautiful Dog” category in all the most prestigious competitions. This was reflected in the demand for these animals - the breed was incredibly popular all over the world. In 2022, the number of people getting cockers has decreased (although English spaniels are still included in the top ten popular breeds, but no longer occupy first place). The reason for the decrease in demand is their stubborn nature and rather difficult maintenance (you need to spend a lot of time on walks and careful grooming).

Spaniels are suitable for keeping in an apartment, but it is important to remember that this dog loves walks.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are tiny dogs with soft, straight hair that can reach all the way to the floor. Thick whiskers form on the muzzle, and the tail looks like a blooming flower. The Shih Tzu also has expressive bangs that completely cover the eyes. To prevent it from getting dirty and disturbing the animal, it is usually put into a ponytail with a hairpin. This makes the dog look even more like a cute toy.

For their size, Shih Tzus are quite strong and strong, their life expectancy is more than 12 years.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer was originally used to protect farms from rats and other rodents. Over time, the dog turned into a companion, but did not lose its hunting and guarding habits. The dog is energetic, smart and fearless. The Schnauzer makes an excellent pet for active people. And this sensitive watchman will always warn you of danger.

Externally, the miniature schnauzer has a rather impressive appearance, especially notable is its beautiful beard and lush mustache

Beagle

Now at the peak of popularity is a breed called the beagle. The breed has been appreciated by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The advantages of dogs are their perky character and great loyalty to people. All beagle owners note that dogs perfectly sense the owner’s mood and worry when he is sad, trying in every possible way to cheer up the person.

The Beagle breed is intelligent, friendly and sociable, but can be stubborn at times.

Miniature Poodle

Poodles are observant and easy to train dogs. Their ability to quickly assimilate commands has earned them the reputation of ideal artists. It is also a very loyal dog to its owner, but cautious with strangers. It is often owned by families with children, as the toy poodle gets along well with children of any age.

This dog becomes so attached to its owners that it tends to experience serious stress when separated from them for a long time.

English bulldog

Most English bulldogs live in the UK and the USA. In Russia, these dogs are also loved (this is especially noticeable this year, when they were able to get into the top ten most popular small breeds). This animal can be called a real gentleman - it is balanced, calm, and not prone to hooliganism.

It is worth considering that English bulldogs are very lazy and slow, but if necessary they can fight fiercely with enemies, since these dogs are quite strong and brave

Rottweiler

These are dogs with a strong and dominant character. They have a tough character and love challenges. The Rottweiler is an ideal watchdog because it has a great sense of ownership. Once he loves his guardian, he will become loyal and follow him into the fire. Recommended for tough people because it requires consistent training.

Corgi

Corgis are herding dogs that originated in Wales. The first mention of the breed dates back to the 10th century, so it is truly an ancient British family. The popularity of the breed was brought by the royal family - in 1933, the future George VI gave his daughters several puppies. Since then, Queen Elizabeth has always kept corgis in the palace.

Welsh Corgis came into fashion thanks to Elizabeth II

These are cheerful small dogs with a friendly character, easy to train, and very fond of children. Corgis love games and long walks. They do better in the cold than in the warm, so they are better adapted to life in a temperate region.

Beagle

Historically, the Beagle breed was used as a hunting hound. Currently, they are friendly and cheerful animals. Unlike other hunting dogs, beagles become very attached to their owners. They need lots of exercise, activity and fun.

Pomeranian Spitz

Pomeranian Spitz in 2022 in Russia deservedly took a place of honor and practically topped the ranking of popular dog breeds. These cute fluffy bundles of kindness and beauty have come to many families. They are especially loved by children and the fair sex. The playful little animals are very popular among dog breeders for their appearance and playful character. True, in a family where they like silence, they will not get used to it, since they really like to bark loudly and often.

Description of popular large dogs

In the overall ranking of breed popularity, large dogs are inferior to small ones. This is understandable - they are more difficult to maintain, and giants often have a stern appearance, and most people love to be touched by funny and touching babies. But small animals will still never completely replace big dogs. If a person is looking for a reliable watchman and security guard, a partner for long walks, then he chooses a strong and hardy dog.

In 2022, the most popular large dog breeds were the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Husky - the clear top three in all countries. There are also unique preferences for individual states. For example, in Russia Alabay puppies are in great demand, while in the USA and Europe many do not even know about this breed. But Australian shepherds, on the contrary, are common in the West, but here they are just gaining popularity.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds continue to occupy a leading position in popularity among large breeds. They are bred for service in the police and army. And this is the best confirmation of the animal’s obedience and easy learning ability.

In 2022, 11.2 thousand dogs of the German Shepherd breed were registered in Russia (according to the Russian Canine Federation

German Shepherds are large, agile dogs with extremely high intelligence. They are famous for their friendly nature. They can be trained for almost any task. They make good companions and reliable guard dogs.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are excellent swimmers. Games involving getting objects out of water are their favorite pastime. There is no need to be afraid that your dog will drown or catch a cold from swimming in a lake or river. They have membranes on their paws, and their wide tail serves as a kind of rudder, thanks to which the dog can swim in the right direction. The coat of Labrador Retrievers is water-repellent (it is enough for the dog to shake thoroughly after bathing and it immediately becomes dry). The soft undercoat protects the animal from extreme cold.

Labrador retrievers are smart and well-mannered dogs, but they tend to retain puppy habits (mischief, curiosity, playfulness) even as adult dogs

Central asian shepherd dog

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Alabai) is very popular in Russia. If you look at the popularity ratings in other countries, you will not find this breed in the top ten. In Russia, these dogs are valued for their strength and power, excellent protective qualities and the ability to adapt to any weather conditions (which is important for our country with a changeable climate). The disadvantage of the dog is its huge size, which causes some inconvenience in its maintenance. It is difficult to keep a dog at home, and especially in an apartment. It is better to build spacious enclosures for them.

In the house where the Central Asian Shepherd lives, you can sleep peacefully, the dog is always on guard

Siberian Husky

Due to the series “Game of Thrones,” which ended only in 2022, the demand for huskies, large dogs that look similar to the fictional beast direwolf, has sharply increased. Dogs are liked not only by fans of the saga. People literally fall in love with the expressive blue and brown eyes of huskies at first sight.

Unfortunately, the breed occupies a leading position not only in the ranking of popular breeds, but also in the list of dogs ending up in shelters. People are often attracted by the attractive appearance of the animal, but do not take into account the peculiarities of its character - huskies are very noisy, nimble and willful. They need a lot of attention, walks for hours, and also a lot of physical activity (after all, they are a sled dog).

Huskies are not used for protection because of their gullibility and friendliness, but they should not be considered cute fluffies either - the dogs are quite stubborn, so they cannot do without careful training

Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is a smart dog, but with strong protective instincts. You have to be on your guard, because if the dog considers someone suspicious, it will immediately go on the attack. It is easy to train, but training must be done daily from puppyhood.

Thick skin with folds and a decent layer of subcutaneous fat hides dense muscles - these dogs are very strong

Doberman

Dobermans are very beautiful animals. But don’t forget why they received the nickname “smart dogs of the devil.” In an attack, the animal is scary - due to the force of the bite and the structure of the jaw, the victim is literally torn into pieces. But, as can be seen from the popularity rating, people are not particularly afraid of Dobermans and are actively getting such dogs for themselves. The fact is that with proper training (and the animal learns commands quickly), the dog becomes well-mannered and averse to causeless aggression.

The Doberman is not only an excellent guard, but also a tough fighter, so it is important to properly raise the animal so that it clearly obeys human commands

Golden Retrievers

The popularity of this dog is largely influenced by the fact that it often wins various exhibitions and competitions. For example, at the prestigious competition Eesti Kennelliit, for five years in a row, a representative of the golden retriever breed is recognized as the most beautiful dog. In addition to their cute appearance, these animals are distinguished by their incredible kindness and willingness to help people. It is completely unusual for them to show aggression.

The Golden Retriever is a large dog with a strong build and dense, water-repellent, golden-colored coat.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are preferred by residents of cottage communities in the suburbs. The reason is that dogs are excellent protectors and guards. These are very strong animals with a powerful grip. But with proper training, they will not attack without reason.

You should have seen how this dog angrily purrs at “suspicious” passers-by, how it tries to intimidate noisy teenagers with a menacing bark! And she simply can’t stand drunk people... Moreover, portraying the terrible hound of the Baskervilles, Nora never seriously attacks anyone and meekly returns to her owner at the first “ugh!” or "to me."

Anna Kurtz

https://www.zooprice.ru/dog/breed/rottweil/yarkaya-lichnost-rotveyler.html

At first glance, the Rottweiler may seem like a phlegmatic lump, but this is a deceptive opinion - the dog understands everything, remembers perfectly and follows commands

Royal Poodle

Poodles are leaders in the number of victories in various dog shows. For example, in the prestigious World Dog Show competition, representatives of the breed were recognized as the most attractive more than 10 times. Features of the animal's appearance include a graceful body and posture, making the animal a real aristocrat. The crown poodle “lion” or “modern” haircut adds zest to the look.

Royal poodles are often owned by people aiming to win various canine competitions and exhibitions.

Boxer

Boxers are popular with people who value such qualities in dogs as affection and loyalty to their owner, fearlessness, and the ability to protect a person if necessary. But the animal needs constant supervision: the pronounced fighting qualities of the breed are manifested in cockiness. Boxers behave aggressively towards unfamiliar brothers on the street and are wary of strangers.

The Boxer is the most playful breed among fighting dogs.

Collie

Collie is considered one of the most sensitive dogs. She perfectly senses a person’s mood and tries her best to support her owner in moments of sadness. The animal's intelligence is also excellent. Collies quickly remember commands and readily carry them out.

To maintain good physical shape, the collie should be walked 2-3 times for 40-60 minutes, loading it with different tasks (jogging, overcoming obstacles, playing with balls, etc. are useful for her).

German dog

Great Danes, despite their fighting past, are friendly, obedient and balanced animals. They are easy to train, so they are often taken into patrol or guard duty. Dogs are ready to protect their owners in a dangerous situation, but they will never attack unless necessary.

The breed has been popular for decades. The recognition of the breed was largely influenced by the fact that Great Danes are actively being removed from films. There is even a cartoon “Scooby-Doo”, which is a cult favorite in the USA, where the main character is a dog of this breed.

Great Danes love to run, jump, and play - including in the company of other dogs, towards whom they rarely show causeless aggression (of course, provided that the Great Dane is raised correctly)

Australian Shepherd

Among Australian Shepherds (Aussies) there are both shy dogs and sociable hooligans. In any case, this dog will become a true friend to its owner, as this breed is distinguished by incredible devotion. Australian Shepherds get along well with other animals and children. The downside is that it requires a lot of care. Dogs of this breed need to be bathed and brushed a little more often than most other dogs.

Aussies have expressive almond-shaped eyes that are bright blue, green or amber.

German Shorthaired Pointers

The Kurzhaar is a German shorthaired pointer. It is popular among people who live outside the city and love hunting and fishing. These dogs are especially in demand in Europe (Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden), where they even organize separate exhibitions only for representatives of this breed and special competitions for searching for prey in difficult conditions (on large lands). There are special schools for shorthaired pointer puppies, where kids are taught hunting commands.

This is a very active dog, so if you are a homebody and prefer sedate walks, then the shorthaired pointer is definitely not for you.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are playful, medium-sized dogs that are popular all over the world. They are suitable for active families, as the animal is a hunting dog that loves to run a lot and play with a ball outside. Therefore, they are often purchased by parents with many children for their children. The dog is friendly and gets along well with other household members. A distinctive feature, in addition to activity, is curiosity. The dog likes to crawl into holes, for example, into a closet, pull out shoes from there and chew them off. Therefore, it is necessary to raise a Jack Russell dog strictly from a very early age. Jack Russell Terriers are still pranksters.

Fashionable dog breeds are, of course, always in demand, but you still need to choose a pet to your liking, so that it is similar in temperament to its owner.

cocker spaniel

The homeland of the cocker spaniel is England, where they appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. The breeders really liked the breed and quickly spread throughout the world.

The Cocker Spaniel remains cheerful and energetic throughout its life.

Spaniels are very energetic dogs that act like puppies most of their lives. This can be corrected by training, long walks and physical activity, but a dog owner who decides to get a cocker spaniel should keep this in mind.

In addition, the Cocker Spaniel requires careful grooming. Their long hair needs to be combed and trimmed regularly, and the dog needs to be washed at least once a week. By the way, spaniels are excellent swimmers.