The short answer
The Canadian Kennel Club's 2025 rankings, released in March 2026, put the Labrador Retriever first for the 32nd year in a row, followed by the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Dog. The Poodle took back fourth place from the French Bulldog. Popular breeds attract the most demand, which means more scams and more careless breeding. Buyers of top-10 breeds should be extra careful to check health testing.
The 2025 top of the list (CKC)
The rankings are based on CKC purebred registrations. They leave out unregistered dogs and crosses such as doodles.
- 1. Labrador Retriever (32 consecutive years at #1)
- 2. Golden Retriever
- 3. German Shepherd Dog
- 4. Poodle, back ahead of the French Bulldog
What popularity means for buyers
- High demand drives up prices and fake listings
- Common inherited problems in top breeds: hip and elbow dysplasia (Labs, Goldens, GSDs) and breathing problems in flat-faced breeds
- Ask for OFA hip/elbow results and a breed-appropriate DNA panel on both parents
- Waitlists at good breeders are normal. A puppy available 'today' for a top breed is a warning sign
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular dog breed in Canada?
The Labrador Retriever. It has topped CKC registrations for 32 straight years, as of the 2025 rankings.
Sources
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