10 Dog Breeds Seattle Loves, Just in Time for International Dog Day

Seattle and dogs have always seemed like a natural match. Between neighborhood walks, weekends outdoors, and plenty of rainy days spent inside together, there are a lot of ways for a dog to fit into life in the Pacific Northwest.

International Dog Day arrives every year on August 26, making this a good time to look at which breeds Seattle owners seem especially drawn to. The American Kennel Club’s latest city rankings, based on 2025 registrations, put the Golden Retriever at No. 1 in Seattle for the fifth straight year. Labradors, French Bulldogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and German Shepherd Dogs round out the city’s top five AKC-registered breeds.

The AKC only publishes Seattle’s top five, so rather than inventing a citywide ranking beyond that point, we’ve also looked at Regional Animal Services of King County licensing data for other breeds that have a strong following around the Seattle area. Seattle maintains its own pet-licensing system, so the county numbers aren’t a substitute for city data, but together the lists paint a pretty good picture of the dogs you’re likely to see around the region.

Golden Retriever

It doesn’t get much more Seattle than the Golden Retriever. The breed ranks first in the AKC’s latest Seattle numbers, marking its fifth consecutive year at the top of the city’s list. Goldens also took the No. 1 position in nearby Portland and San Francisco, suggesting the breed has found a particularly enthusiastic following along the West Coast.

It’s not difficult to understand the appeal. Golden Retrievers were developed as sporting dogs and are known for being outgoing, active, and eager companions. They’re the kind of dog that can join a family for a walk through the neighborhood, a trip outdoors, or a lazy afternoon back at home. That versatility feels particularly well suited to Pacific Northwest life.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever comes in just behind the Golden in Seattle’s current AKC ranking. That’s hardly a fall from grace for a breed that spent 31 consecutive years as America’s most popular AKC-registered dog before the French Bulldog finally passed it nationally.

Labs were bred as working retrievers, and their combination of enthusiasm, athleticism, and affection has helped make them longtime family favorites. They also make a lot of sense in an outdoorsy region. A Lab usually isn’t going to complain about a day involving water, trails, games of fetch, or simply being wherever its people happen to be.

French Bulldog

Seattle may love its retrievers, but there’s still plenty of room for the little Frenchie. French Bulldogs rank third in the AKC’s 2025 Seattle numbers, even though they hold the No. 1 position nationally for the fourth consecutive year.

Their appeal is particularly easy to understand in a city. French Bulldogs are compact dogs, and the AKC describes them as especially popular among city dwellers. Their exercise needs and smaller stature can make them more practical for apartment or condo living than some of Seattle’s bigger favorites. Those unmistakable bat ears don’t exactly hurt their case, either.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi moved up a spot in Seattle’s latest AKC ranking to become the city’s fourth-most-popular registered breed. That’s an impressive showing for a relatively small herding dog competing with some of the biggest names in the dog world.

Don’t let the short legs fool you. The AKC describes Pembrokes as strong, athletic, and lively herders. They’re affectionate companions, but they’re also dogs that generally appreciate having something to do. For Seattle owners who want a smaller dog without giving up the energy and personality of a much bigger one, a Corgi can offer a little of both worlds.

German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog broke into Seattle’s AKC top five in 2025. It’s also one of the most commonly licensed breeds in the broader King County area, so this isn’t a dog whose popularity stops at the Seattle city limits.

German Shepherds have long been prized as versatile working dogs. The AKC describes the breed as intelligent, confident, courageous, and steady, qualities that have helped German Shepherds take on everything from family-companion roles to demanding working jobs. They’re larger and need owners prepared to give them training, activity, and attention, but their loyalty has earned them generations of devoted fans.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua doesn’t appear in Seattle’s current AKC top five, but zoom out to the surrounding region, and its popularity becomes obvious. Smooth-coated Chihuahuas ranked third on the most recently published list of licensed breeds from Regional Animal Services of King County.

For urban life, some of the appeal is obvious. Chihuahuas are tiny, with the AKC breed standard calling for dogs weighing no more than six pounds, yet they’re famous for packing a remarkable amount of personality into that small frame. The AKC describes them as adaptable city pets, although Seattle owners may want to remember that a tiny, short-coated dog can appreciate some extra protection when the weather turns cold.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is another dog with a substantial following around Seattle. It ranked fifth among King County’s most commonly licensed breeds in the county’s most recent published top-10 list.

Despite the name, the modern Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States and became closely associated with ranch work. These are energetic, capable herding dogs, which can be a great match for people who genuinely want an active companion. Seattle’s access to hiking, outdoor recreation, and plenty of places to get moving makes it easy to see why Aussies have found fans here.

Shih Tzu

Not every Seattle dog needs to be ready for a long day on a trail. Sometimes you want a dog whose idea of a successful weekend looks a little more like yours after three straight days of rain.

Shih Tzus ranked sixth on King County’s most recently published list of licensed dog breeds. They’ve been bred primarily as companion dogs, and the AKC describes them as playful, affectionate, outgoing, and highly adaptable. Their smaller size can make them appealing for people living in apartments or homes where a big sporting or herding breed simply isn’t practical.

Miniature Poodle

Miniature Poodles also show up prominently in the region’s licensing numbers. They ranked eighth among King County’s most commonly licensed dogs in the county’s published top-10 list.

It’s easy to underestimate Poodles if your mental picture starts and ends with elaborate show-dog haircuts. Underneath the curls is a smart, athletic breed with roots as a water retriever. Poodles come in Standard, Miniature, and Toy varieties, and the smaller versions give owners many of the breed’s familiar qualities in a more compact package. That mix of brains, trainability, and manageable size can work well for city living.

Dachshund

Last but certainly not least is one of the easiest dogs on the planet to recognize. Dachshunds ranked 10th on King County’s most recently published list of licensed breeds, putting the famously long and low dogs firmly among the Seattle area’s local favorites.

The Dachshund’s proportions may be unusual, but this wasn’t a breed designed simply to look adorable. Dachshunds were developed as hunting dogs, and the AKC still describes them as bold, alert, and lively. Today, their relatively small size and unmistakable personalities help them fit into plenty of urban households, including those where there isn’t room for a 70-pound retriever stretched across the couch.

Seattle Is Clearly a Dog Town

Seattle’s favorites run from tiny Chihuahuas and French Bulldogs to energetic Australian Shepherds and big, enthusiastic retrievers. There isn’t one obvious type of dog that defines the city, which may be the most Seattle thing about the list.

And International Dog Day isn’t really supposed to be a popularity contest anyway. The August 26 observance celebrates dogs of all breeds and backgrounds and has also been used to encourage adoption and draw attention to dogs still waiting for homes. So whether your favorite is Seattle’s No. 1 Golden Retriever, a shelter mutt that wouldn’t fit neatly into any ranking, or the Dachshund currently taking up an unreasonable amount of your couch, August 26 is a pretty good excuse to give them a little extra attention.