The favorite dog breed in each state has been revealed

A new study has revealed the most popular dog breed in every US state, with a particular type of companion dog leading by a considerable distance.

Everyone has their reasons for preferring a certain type of dog: some are looking for a kid-friendly dog, others favor a companion dog that enjoys walking and the outdoors, and a few even opt for a foursome friend. legs that is happy to sit inside a handbag.

What many may not realize, however, is that your choice of dog breed can say a lot about you as a person.

A study by psychologists at the University of Bath Spa in the UK concluded that our race preference can often be a reflection of our own personality.

“We go for dogs that look a little like us, just like we go for a love partner that looks a little like us,” lead researcher Lance Workman told Live Science. The study saw 1,000 purebred dog owners complete a questionnaire designed to assess their personality traits.

What they found was a correlation between dog type and owner personality. For example, those who owned Golden Retrievers, Labradors or Chihuahuas were the most agreeable while those who owned Bulldogs or German Shepherds were more outgoing.

The apparent weighting of Labrador owners could partly explain the results of a new survey by Embrace Pet Insurance exploring the most popular dog breeds in each US state.

Labrador Retrievers led the way, with the study finding them to be the most popular breed in 80% of states. “Being known as one of the kindest and most equal breeds, it’s no secret that this incredibly loyal and intelligent breed is the favorite of the majority of the country,” a spokesperson said. Embrace Pet Insurance.

According to data, Labradors have led the way in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Golden Retrievers rank as the second most popular breed in America, with research noting that this type of dog’s “friendly and outgoing” demeanor makes them a great addition for any family looking to welcome a dog into their home. home. They ranked as the most popular breed in Arkansas, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Interestingly, German Shepherds came in third, with their protective and hard-working approach making them popular in North Dakota and Tennessee.

French bulldogs were also a popular choice, ranking first among Hawaii’s most popular dog breeds, while the protective qualities of Doberman pinschers helped this particular breed rank as the best dog breed in Minnesota. .

There were similar outliers in Nebraska and West Virginia, where the goldendoodle and miniature schnauzer came out on top as the most popular breed in those two states respectively.

Jenna Mahan, Director of Claims and Underwriting at Embrace Pet Insurance, further analyzed the data by region and found some additional insights of interest.

While Labradors, Golden Retrievers and mixed-breed dogs outnumber all others in most states, examining the data by region revealed some unique quirks. For example, in the Midwest, there are more Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Miniature Schnauzers than average.

Mahan also found that in the northeast there seem to be more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Havanese, Cockapoos, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dachshunds and Pembroke Welsh Corgi than average.

In the South, meanwhile, there are usually more Miniature Schnauzers, Maltese and Pugs than average. Elsewhere in the West, there seem to be more Chihuahuas, Maltipoos, Shih Tzus and Miniature Schnauzers than average.

“It makes sense that some of the larger breeds would be popular in areas like the Midwest because these breeds lend themselves well to larger spaces and yards to run in,” a spokesperson for Embrace Pet Insurance said.

“You tend to see this same trend with smaller breeds in the Northeast, but it’s important to note that the region includes states like Vermont, which may also explain the prevalence of Bernese Mountain Dogs.”

In addition to data on the most popular dog breeds, Mahan also pulled data to determine the most popular pet names by state and found that “Luna” is the most popular pet name. popular in 24 states. The top five states with the most Lunas are California (734), Florida (311), New York (231), Washington (228), and New Jersey (152).