Camp Bow Wow, the nation’s leading doggy day care and boarding franchise, has released its annual list of the top five large and small dog breeds, including the top dog breeds in Arizona, based on its database of four-legged Campers for 2024 in honor of National Dog Day on Aug. 26. 

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Camp Bow Wow’s lists include a range of purebreds, mixed-breed dogs and popular crossbreeds like doodles, rather than only listing purebred dog registrations. 

For the seventh consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever and lab mixes top the list of large breeds, followed by the Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd. For the second year in a row, the Miniature Poodle tops the list of small breeds, followed by the Beagle, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu and Dachshund. The Beagle ruled the list of small dog breeds for five years before the Miniature Poodle claimed the top spot in 2022.

In addition, Camp Bow Wow has identified the top five dog breeds by state. For example, the Goldendoodle is most popular in Iowa and Kentucky, and the Australian Cattle Dog crept into the top five in New Mexico. State-by-state lists and AI images of how a dog could represent its state are available here.

The top dog breeds in Arizona

1. Labrador Retriever 

2. German Shepherd 

3. Goldendoodle 

4. Chihuahua 

5. Golden Retriever

For those who are thinking of adopting a dog, Camp Bow Wow’s Animal Health and Behavioral Expert, Erin Askeland, MSc, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, notes that the biggest differentiator between large and small dog breeds is lifespan. Small dogs tend to have longer lifespans of 12 to 15 years or more, while large dogs typically have lifespans of around 8 to 12 years (8 to 10 for giant breeds).

“A dog’s breed can influence certain characteristics, but it shouldn’t be the sole factor in choosing which furry friend to add to the family,” said Askeland. “Every dog is unique — some small dogs have high energy and bold personalities, while some large dogs have a laid-back demeanor. At Camp Bow Wow, we celebrate all breeds and believe that every dog deserves a loving home where they can enjoy playtime, social activities and enrichment. It’s the individual personality of each dog that truly makes them special.”

To keep the National Dog Day celebration going, all dogs who are at Camp for day care or boarding on Aug. 26 will automatically be entered into Camp Bow Wow’s National Dog Day contest[i] for a chance to win a grand prize of $500 in Camp services. Camp Bow Wow will also award five prizes of $100 in Camp services. 

With an estimated 50 million dog visits since opening its first Camp in 2000, Camp Bow Wow offers a safe and enjoyable environment for dogs of all breeds and sizes. No matter the breed, treating dogs to a fun-filled day at Camp is a great way to celebrate National Dog Day.

For more information about Camp Bow Wow’s services, visit campbowwow.com. 

1Reservations may be required; customer must check with their Camp Bow Wow location. Dog must have passed interview day and meet entrance requirements. Official rules: www.campbowwow.com/dog-day-rules