Canada’s Most Popular Breeds 2020
April 09, 2021
2020 was a year unlike any we’ve seen before. Amid lockdowns, shutdowns, travel bans, masks and social distancing many people experienced joy in the form of a new puppy. 56,805 purebred pups were welcomed into new homes and registered with the Canadian Kennel Club last year. If you compare that number of puppies to the previous year’s 37, 890 you will realize just how many more puppies we registered last year (+18,915). The allowance of working from home that many companies adopted allowed thousands of dog lovers to buy and train puppies last year. Their warm little hearts were no doubt a great source of comfort in a very unsettling year.
The list of the most popular dog breeds in Canada in 2020 reflect great diversity. Dogs of different sizes, grooming and exercise needs from 5 of the Canadian Kennel Club’s 7 Groups make up the top ten list. Some breeds were created to protect humans, help bring home dinner and herd flocks and others simply to be loved pets.
Three Toy breeds make up 2020’s Top Ten. I believe there are several reasons for this. On top of being incredibly charming, Toy breeds are a fantastic choice for smaller homes and the ever popular condo life that so many young people and retirees alike enjoy these days. As long as their modest exercise needs are met, they can thrive in a high rise and lavish all the attention from neighbours in the building’s elevators and common areas.
Coming in at number ten is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavalier is small, but not delicate as he comes from sporting spaniels. They are gentle, affectionate and incredibly in tune with emotions of their people. Other reasons the breed has become more popular include its presence in shows like “Sex and The City” and its celebrity fans including Michelle Williams, Courtney Cox and Canada’s own Seth Rogan.
Now on the other end of the size spectrum, The Bernese Mountain Dog is the largest breed to make the list at number 9. Bred to have both brains and brawn, The Berner was used for various tasks on Swiss farms, including driving livestock and pulling carts to market. He’s a noble looking dog with soulful eyes and gorgeous markings of black, white and rust on a coat very able to handle a Canadian winter. Their placid nature mixed with their general love of people have made them popular family dogs for families with the space and time to exercise such a large breed. They are noted for being exceptional with children provide they are raised with children who are equally as exceptional with dogs.
Although the Havanese breed hasn’t been in Canada an incredibly long time, their charm, intelligence and sense of humour have earned them quite the following. The little Havanese was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club and accepted into the Toy Group in the year 2000. 1 It is believed that during the days of the Spanish Empire, the Havanese was brought to Cuba by sea captains to be sold to the affluent. 2 You’d only have to be around a Havanese for a mere moment to be taken by the breed. They are affectionate, intelligent and very entertaining. They’ve got a silky, wavy coat that comes in a wide range of colours. That gorgeous coat does require frequent attention so it’s best to get a puppy used to this process right away by making it a pleasant experience. The Havanese is currently Canada’s 8th most popular breed.
Number 7’s name might be the “Australian Shepherd”, but his history actually goes back to Spain and Andorra, where it worked with the Basque shepherds. When the Basques followed the sheep-herding movement to Australia, the dogs went along. Eventually the Australian sheep were imported into the western U.S., and the renamed Australian Shepherd came along to North American where he has been loved by livestock keepers for over one hundred years. This is a dog who is popular for both his beauty and his brains. Potential owners who fall for his good looks must understand that this is a dog that thrives with lots of exercise and needs a job to do that challenge him both physically as well as mentally. A busy Australian Shepherd is a happy Australian Shepherd.
Another bright Herding Dog that lately always seems to be in the middle of Canada’s Top Ten Most Popular Breeds List is the Shetland Sheepdog. Interestingly, Shelties aren’t as popular in America as they are up here (6th most popular in Canada, 27th most popular breed in the United States). 3 But Shetland Sheepdogs are popular in Canada, and with good reason. The Sheltie is an incredibly intelligent dog who is responsive to his owner. That’s why you see them consistently excel in obedience, rally, Flyball, agility and therapy work. There’s not a whole lot the smart little Sheltie can’t do – just don’t call him a “Mini Collie” as the Shetland Sheepdog is definitely its own distinct breed! Owning a Sheltie means consistently finding ways to keep your beautiful dog busy with activities that entertain their mind and body. That beautiful coat comes in colours of black, blue merle or sable with white and/or tan. They require regular brushing to keep them looking handsome.
The French Bulldog is currently America’s second most popular dog breed and is slightly less popular up here. 4 The French Bulldog showed up on Canada’s Top Ten Most Popular Breeds list in 2014 and has steadily climbed to the 5th spot. With his short muzzle and bat ears, many find the short but sturdy Frenchie absolutely irresistible. Because they are portable (not tiny – you’ll need both arms), generally quiet and usually friends with everyone and every dog, they are very popular in cities across the world. They don’t require a ton of outdoor exercise, but do enjoy their walks when it’s neither too hot nor too cold. That being said, they aren’t as lazy as one might expect and love to play, so make sure to put some time aside every day to enjoy that side of your Frenchie.
The top four breeds in Canada have remained in exact order for as long as I have been a member of the Canadian Kennel Club. These four dogs all have one major quality in common: versatility. One dog can be many things and serve humans in many ways. From guide dogs to guarding, dock diving to couch cuddling, these four wildly intelligent breeds are definitely multi-talented.
At number four is the Poodle. The Poodle comes in three sizes – Standard, Miniature and Toy. Poodles are loved around the world for their intuition, intellect and elegance. Their dense coat is appreciated by many allergy sufferers who are able to tolerate it as it is more like curly hair than coat in that it doesn’t have an undercoat and will continue to grow. The trade for no seasonal shedding is grooming. Poodle hair mats easily, so regular brushing and bathing is a must with a Poodle and they should see a professional groomer every 6 weeks. The fancy haircuts you see in the show ring have a deep history, but many pet owners prefer to have them trimmed into a much more manageable style, including the popular “Teddy Bear Clip”.
The brave German Shepherd comes in at third place. German Shepherds are all things to so many people. They guard property, herd livestock, rescue people the aftermath of disaster, track criminals, find drugs and the list goes on. With that impressive skill set, it goes without saying that a potential owner of a German Shepherd Dog must have a plan as to how they will challenge their minds and bodies daily. They’ve got a double coat that protects them from both the cold and the heat, making them well suited to Canada’s climate. I’ve also noticed that, more so than with other breeds, people who own German Shepherds always own German Shepherds and often come from families that did as well.
The heart melting Golden Retriever is second on Canada’s Most Popular Breeds of 2020, but number one is thousands of Canadian hearts. The Golden is a merry hunting dog that was developed in Scotland in the mid 19-century and continues to make friends wherever he goes. The Golden is super bright and you often hear of Goldens with multiple titles because they are so eager to please their people. He is considered a top family dog who, when socialized properly and treated with respect, is incredible with children. His stunning coat ranges in shades of, you guessed it – gold and requires regular brushing and occasional baths to look its best.
Canada’s Most Popular Breed for the 26th year in a row is one of Canada’s own native breeds, the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador was used as a fisherman’s friend and duck retriever in Newfoundland. He began his rise to popularity when British visitors were charmed by the dogs and brought them back to the UK in the 1800s. Speaking of popularity, the Lab is also Top Dog in the United States as well and has been for the past thirty years. Labradors come in three colours: black, yellow and chocolate. Labrador Retrievers excel in so many disciplines including obedience, hunting and guiding the blind, but they are prized around the world for their sweet nature and outgoing disposition which makes them ideal family pets for active families.
There you have it – Canada’s Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds! While all of these dogs can make fantastic additions to the right homes, it’s important to mention that just because a breed is popular does not mean it will be a good fit for all homes. It’s crucial to do your research, talk with breeders and owners and, if possible, meet adult examples of the breed you are interested in before deciding which breed is right for you. There’s also many dog breeds recognized by the Canadian with very low numbers who are just as marvellous, so I also encourage you to explore Canada’s rarer dog breeds as well.
1. Havanese Fanciers of Canada, http://www.havanesefanciers.com/abouthavanese
2. Ibid., Havanese Fanciers of Canada
3. American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/the-most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2020/
4. Ibid., American Kennel Club
The opinions expressed by authors on the Canadian Kennel Club Blog and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Canadian Kennel Club or any of its employees.
Les opinions et les commentaires exprimés dans le blogue du Club Canin Canadien sont ceux des auteurs et ils ne reflètent pas les opinions du Club Canin Canadien ni de ses employés.
Ian Lynch
Ian Lynch is a comedian, on-air personality and Canadian Kennel Club member.