Most Popular Dog Breed by State in 2026 (and How to Match Your Baby to It)

Your zip code says a lot about the dog at your feet, and at Obi Outfitters we think it should say something about your baby's wardrobe too. Below is the most popular dog breed by state for 2026, a breed-by-breed bandana size chart, and a matching baby look for every top dog — because your puppy is your baby too.

Quick answer: The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed by state in 2026, leading 22 states. The Chihuahua leads 13 states and is No. 1 nationally. The Yorkshire Terrier leads 8 (plus D.C.), the French Bulldog 4, the Golden Retriever 2, and the Shih Tzu 1 (Rhode Island). Only six breeds claim a state this year.

Jump to: the full list · your state's match · the bandana size chart. Or shop matching baby and puppy outfits →

Where This 2026 Data Comes From

All rankings here come from one place, so the numbers stay consistent.

• Source: U.S. News & World Report, Most Popular Dog Breeds study
• Last updated: August 18, 2026
• Data size: 3,535,932 data points from Fletch, a pet insurance industry partner
• Time frame: January 2022 to June 2026, sorted by the owner's state
• National top five: Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu

Good to know: this is pet insurance data, so it reflects insured dogs rather than every dog in America. The American Kennel Club ranking tracks new purebred registrations instead, which is why other lists may show a different winner.

Here is the twist in the most popular dog breeds 2026 study: the Lab wins the most states but sits third nationally, because big states like California, Texas, and Florida lean small.

Most Popular Dog Breed in Each State 2026: The Full List

Only six breeds claim a state this year. Here is the most popular dog breed in each state for 2026, grouped by breed:

Source: U.S. News & World Report, The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Each State (2026)

States With a New Number One Since 2025

Compared with 2025, 24 states and D.C. crowned a new top dog. The Pit Bull and German Shepherd, which led 11 states last year, now lead none.

Source: 2026 results from U.S. News & World Report. 2025 results from the U.S. News 2025 edition, as compiled by Visual Capitalist.

Chicago, this one is yours. The most popular dog breed in Illinois is now the Labrador Retriever. Renegade fans with a Lab and a stroller, you are officially the Illinois starter pack.

Meet the Six Top Dogs (and Their Tiny Twins)

Matching baby and dog outfits work best when they match personality, not just color. So each top dog below gets a nickname, a baby look, and a bandana picked just for them. Every bandana is a tie-back, $15, in three sizes — and a bandana plus one baby piece clears our $49 free U.S. shipping line.

1. Labrador Retriever: The Neighborhood Welcome Committee

Leads 22 states, from Alaska and the Mountain West through the Midwest to New England.

Labs are made for big backyards, lake weekends, and long walks, which is everyday life across much of the Midwest and Mountain West. They are also one of the easiest breeds to fold into family life, so it makes sense that new parents keep choosing them.

• With your baby: patient and social. Just watch that happy tail near toddlers.
• Baby look: The Obi Denim Overall ($54) or anything from our Classic Denim collection. Denim is the easiest color story to build around a Lab, since it works with yellow, black, and chocolate coats alike. Add white socks, and you are ready for the park.
• Bandana pick: the Blue Denim Classic bandana ($15) in size XL. It ties on over the collar, so it adjusts as your Lab moves, and the denim tone lines up with the baby's outfit without looking too matchy.

2. Chihuahua: The Tiny Sheriff

Leads 13 states, including Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, Oregon and Washington.

A Chihuahua fits in a lap, a tote bag and a busy family schedule, which counts for a lot once a baby arrives. Their short coats suit warm Southwest weather.

• With your baby: loyal but picky. Go slow with introductions and give them a safe, high perch.
• Baby look: The Cowboy Boots & Hats convertible zip romper ($36) from our Western and Americana collection. It is a fun nod to Texas and Arizona, and the zip makes quick changes easier on busy days.
• Bandana pick: the Cowboy Boots and Hats bandana ($15)in size S. Same print as the romper, so baby and Chihuahua look like a true little posse in every photo.

3. French Bulldog: The Couch Philosopher

Leads California, Florida, Hawaii, and Nevada.

Frenchies are quiet, need only short walks, and do well in apartments, which fits life in Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas. They are also natural camera hams.

• With your baby: calm and happy to nap when the baby naps. Keep photo shoots short and shaded, since Frenchies handle heat poorly.
• Baby look: A bamboo zipper footie from our High Contrast collection ($36). Bold black and white prints echo the classic pied Frenchie coat and pop in photos, even on a busy background.
• Bandana pick: the Black and Gray Checker bandana ($15) in size L. Frenchies have thick necks for their size, so measure first, and the checker print keeps the whole look clean and graphic.

4. Yorkshire Terrier: The Breakout Star

Leads New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, D.C., and four Deep South states.

No breed had a bigger year. The Yorkie went from leading one state to eight and climbed from ninth to fourth nationally. They are small enough for a city apartment and social enough for big Southern family gatherings.

• With your baby: lively and a little dramatic, a natural comedian.
• Baby look: a piece from our Princess Pink collection plus a bow headwrap ($14). Soft pink suits the Yorkie's tan and steel blue coat, and the bow is a cute echo of the little topknot many Yorkie owners love.
• Bandana pick: The Premium Puppy Bandana Princess Pink ($14) in size S. The small size suits a Yorkie's tiny neck, and the heart detail turns it into a matching dog bandana and baby outfit made for the family group chat.

5. Golden Retriever: The Snow Day Sweetheart

Leads North Dakota and Vermont.

Both states know real winters, and a Golden's thick coat is built for snowy yards and cold morning walks. Goldens are also a classic family dog that happily follows the stroller everywhere.

• With your baby: gentle and famously good with kids. Keep a lint roller handy.
• Baby look: The Green Camo bamboo zipper footie ($36) from the Obi Camo collection. It fits cabin weekends, leaf piles and snowy porches, and it looks great next to a golden coat.
• Bandana pick: the Green Camo bandana ($15) in size XL. Same print as the baby piece, so your Golden and your little one look like the official family hiking crew.

6. Shih Tzu: The Ocean State Royal

Leads Rhode Island, the only state it rules.

The smallest state picked a dog built for cozy homes and short walks. The Shih Tzu took Rhode Island from the Chihuahua this year, making it the most surprising winner on the whole list.

• With your baby: a born companion that loves to supervise from near the crib.
• Baby look: the Dream Boat knotted gown ($36) or any soft, dreamy print from our Whimsical collection. They suit slow mornings at home, which is exactly where a Shih Tzu likes to be.
• Bandana pick: the Dream Boat Whimsical bandana ($15) in S or L, based on your measurement. Tie it loosely over that long coat so it does not tangle. 

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Find Your State: 2026 Top Breed and Your Obi Match

Looking for the most popular dog breed by state at a glance? Find yours below, with the bandana and size we would start with. (Sizes are for a typical adult of the breed — always measure where the collar sits.)

Dog Bandana Size Chart by Breed 

A Chihuahua and a Lab live in different size worlds, so here is a quick dog bandana size chart by breed. Neck ranges are typical for adult dogs, so always measure yours where the collar sits.

Our guide on bandana fit for small and large breeds goes deeper.

Obi sizes from our size chart page.

So what is the right Labrador bandana size? For most adult Labs it is XL, while Lab puppies often start in L and move up as they grow.

Because our dog and puppy bandanas tie on, a dog between sizes should go bigger and adjust the knot. That rule settles the Labrador bandana size question for good.

Keeping Babies and Dogs Safe Together

Safety comes before the photo:

• Never leave a baby and a dog alone together, even a gentle one.
• Give the dog a baby-free zone, like a crate or bed the baby cannot reach.
• Take bandanas off when your dog is unsupervised, and keep the knot loose enough for two fingers. Here is how to tie a bandana safely.

If your dog has ever guarded food or toys, talk to your vet or a certified trainer before the baby comes home. Our step-by-step plan to introduce your dog to a new baby can help too.

How to Plan a Matching Baby and Puppy Photo

Baby and puppy matching outfits look adorable, but two tiny models need a plan. For pose inspiration, try these baby and dog photo shoot ideas.

• Time it right. Shoot after the baby's nap and the dog's walk, when one is happy and the other is tired.
• Keep it simple. Our Puppy Love matching sets come with a dog bandana, bib, burp cloth, and blanket in the same print, so a matching dog bandana and baby outfit takes no guesswork. You only pick the bandana size.
• Go for the candid. The best baby and puppy matching outfit photos are rarely posed.

Find Your State, Then Find Your Match

Lab energy or Yorkie sass, the point is the same. Your dog was your first fur baby, and the new baby is joining a team that already has a mascot. Matching baby and dog outfits simply show that on camera.

Every Obi Outfitters piece is made in our own factory, from bamboo viscose footies to denim bandanas. Find your state's top breed in the table above, grab the right bandana size, and dress the whole crew.

FAQs

Question: What does the most popular dog breeds 2026 list say nationally?

Answer: The Chihuahua is America's number one dog in the U.S. News 2026 study, followed by the French Bulldog and the Labrador Retriever. The Yorkshire Terrier made the biggest jump in the most popular dog breeds 2026 ranking, climbing from ninth to fourth.

Question: What is the most popular dog breed by state in 2026?

Answer: The Labrador Retriever leads 22 states, more than any other breed. The Chihuahua follows with 13 states, the Yorkshire Terrier with 8 plus D.C., the French Bulldog with 4, the Golden Retriever with 2, and the Shih Tzu with 1.

Question: What is the most popular dog breed in Texas?

Answer: The Chihuahua. It leads Texas along with 12 other states in the U.S. News 2026 study, and it is America’s No. 1 dog overall. For a Texas-sized matching set, our Cowboy Boots & Hats bandana in size S pairs with the romper in the same print. 

Question: What size bandana does a Labrador need?

Answer: Most adult Labs wear our XL (17 to 26 inches). Lab puppies usually start in L (13 to 18 inches) and move up. Measure where the collar sits, and if your dog is between sizes, go bigger and adjust the knot.

Question: Why do other websites show different breeds for my state?

Answer: Each study uses different data. U.S. News uses pet insurance records, the AKC counts new purebred registrations, and pet sitting apps use their own bookings. That is why we stick to one source in this post.

Question: Are matching baby and dog outfits safe for the dog?

Answer: Yes, when the bandana is the right size and tied loosely enough to fit two fingers under it. Take it off when your dog is crated or alone, and never leave a dog and a baby together without an adult nearby.