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20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in New Jersey (With Info & Pictures)

By Adam Mann
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Labrador Retriever dog standing on the lawn

Dogs are popular throughout the United States, and New Jersey is certainly no exception. New Jersians love their dogs, and there’s no shortage of dog breeds in the state. But which ones are the most popular?

We’ve highlighted 20 of the most popular breeds you’ll find in New Jersey for you below, but if you’re in New Jersey, you’re likely to see all these breeds and more because it can feel like there’s a dog on every corner!

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1. Labrador Retriever

labrador retriever standing in the grass
Image Credit: Alexander Rim, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

22 to 24 inches

Weight:

55 to 80 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

There are tons of popular dog breeds in New Jersey, but the Labrador Retriever has remained the most popular breed for years. With an extremely loving demeanor, the ability to get along great with kids, and the fact that they usually get along great with other dog breeds, it’s not hard to see why.

They’re great for first-time and experienced dog owners, although because of their higher energy levels, it’s best if they have some space to roam outside if you’re thinking about getting one.


2. Cane Corso

black cane corso dog standing at the park
Image Credit: Tymoshenko Olga, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

23 to 28 inches

Weight:

100 to 110 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

The Cane Corso is another large dog breed extremely popular in New Jersey. They weigh over 100 pounds each, so you’re not going to find many dogs that are larger. The Cane Corso is extremely loving and intelligent, but because of their large size, they’re not always the best choice for first-time dog owners.

Still, they’re extremely popular in New Jersey, showing that people from this small state aren’t scared of big dogs!


3. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever standing on the ground
Image Credit: Melanie Mai, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Height:

20 to 24 inches

Weight:

55 to 75 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

The Golden Retriever is another dog breed that’s extremely popular throughout the entire country, so it’s not all that surprising to see them near the top of the list of the most popular dogs in New Jersey.

They’re another dog breed that needs a fair amount of space to roam, but they’re eager to please and get along great with other pets and kids. Plus, they’re a great choice for both experienced and first-time pet owners.


4. French Bulldog

merle french bulldog standing on grass
Image Credit: Liudmila Bohush, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

11 to 13 inches

Weight:

16 to 28 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

The French Bulldog is the first smaller dog to make it on our list of the most popular dog breeds in New Jersey, but they’re still not a true “small” dog breed since some French Bulldogs can weigh close to 30 pounds.

They’re incredibly loving pups that almost always get along excellently with kids, but because of their smaller size, you should be a little more careful with them around other dogs.


5. Australian Shepherd

australian shepherd dog in the meadow
Image Credit: Petri, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Height:

18 to 23 inches

Weight:

30 to 65 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 15 years

The Australian Shepherd is one of the cutest and most intelligent dog breeds on the planet, and it’s why they’re surging in popularity across the country, including New Jersey. However, keep in mind that while they’re loving and eager to please, they require a little extra socialization sometimes with other animals and dogs.

Still, if you’re looking for a super intelligent and highly trainable dog, it’s tough to top the Australian Shepherd.


6. German Shepherd

German Shepherd standing on the grass
Image Credit: cvop, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Height:

22 to 26 inches

Weight:

50 to 90 pounds

Lifespan:

9 to 13 years

The German Shepherd is another larger dog breed that’s popular in New Jersey, and it’s not hard to see why. While they can be a bit more challenging to train than many other dog breeds on our list, they are among the most loyal.

They’re also excellent family dogs that get along wonderfully with children, but they might require more socialization if you want to keep them with other dogs.


7. Poodle

standard poodle standing on grass
Image Credit: Anna K Majer, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

8 to 24 inches

Weight:

6 to 70 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 18 years

Poodles come in a wide array of variations and sizes, and that’s why these pups can range anywhere from 6 to 70 pounds. But no matter what size Poodle you go with, you’re getting an extremely loving and smart dog. They also tend to get along great with other pets and kids and are hypoallergenic, ensuring they’re an excellent choice for just about any home.


8. Shiba Inu

shiba inu dog standing on the road
Image Credit: OlesyaNickolaeva, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

14 to 17 inches

Weight:

15 to 24 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 15 years

The Shiba Inu is a small to mid-sized dog that remains popular in New Jersey. They’re incredibly loving pups and look absolutely adorable, and because of their size, they fit into small and large living areas. They can be a bit stubborn though, so they’re not always the best for first-time dog owners.


9. French Spaniel

French Spaniel
Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

21 to 24 inches

Weight:

45 to 60 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

The French Spaniel might not be as well-known as the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever, but it boasts many of the same perks and the people in New Jersey have taken notice. The French Spaniel is extremely loving, eager to please, and gets along great with kids and other pets, making it the perfect choice for just about everyone.

They have high energy levels, but because of their slightly smaller size, it’s a bit easier to meet these needs than with other larger dog breeds.


10. Rottweiler

rottweiler dog standing on grass
Image Credit: Miroslav Cik, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

22 to 27 inches

Weight:

75 to 130 pounds

Lifespan:

8 to 10 years

The Rottweiler might have an unearned bad reputation in some circles, but the people who live in New Jersey know better. The Rottweiler is among the most popular dogs in New Jersey, and they’re among the most loyal all-around dog breeds. If you’re looking for a loving and loyal large dog breed, the Rottweiler is an outstanding choice.


11. Bulldog

english bulldog standing on the road
Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

12 to 16 inches

Weight:

40 to 50 pounds

Lifespan:

8 to 10 years

The Bulldog is another super popular dog breed in New Jersey, although we would recommend them to more experienced dog owners. While they’re extremely loving and eager to please, they need a little extra socialization to get along with children or other pets.

They also have some unique health concerns you need to keep an eye out for, and that can present its own challenges when owning one.


12. Boxer

boxer dog on grass
Image Credit: Dmitry Kalinovsky, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

21 to 25 inches

Weight:

55 to 70 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 12 years

The Boxer is another larger and slightly more intimidating-looking dog, but the more you get to know them, the more you realize what sweethearts they really are. They’re loving dogs that are loyal and eager to please, and they also tend to get along great with children. Just ensure they get a little extra socialization if you’re trying to introduce them to other dogs or pets.


13. Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky standing outdoor
Image Credit: BARBARA808, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Height:

20 to 24 inches

Weight:

35 to 60 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 15 years

The Siberian Husky is a highly sought-after dog because of their appearance, but they do present their own unique challenges. They get along great with kids and other dogs, but they’re also extremely high-energy and they can be a bit vocal, so keep that in mind if you live in smaller quarters.

They also have a bit of a stubborn streak, so if you’re trying to train them, you’ll need to remain extremely persistent with it.


14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog standing on grass
Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

12 to 13 inches

Weight:

13 to 18 pounds

Lifespan:

9 to 14 years

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is another small to medium-sized dog breed that is popular in New Jersey. They’re another breed that gets along great with kids and other dogs, and because of their size, they’re great choices for both small and larger living areas. Overall, they’re a great pup for just about everyone!


15. Havanese

cream havanese dog in the forest
Image Credit: Dorottya Mathe, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

8.5 to 11.5 inches

Weight:

7 to 13 pounds

Lifespan:

14 to 16 years

The Havanese is the first truly small dog breed to make our list, and if you’re looking for a small dog, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. They’re great with kids and other dogs and are among the most loving dogs out there.

They’re also fairly eager to please their owners, which makes them easier to train than many other dog breeds. However, if you do live in an apartment, keep in mind the Havanese can be a bit more vocal, which could get you in trouble with your neighbors.


16. Shih Tzu

white and brown Shih tzu standing on the grass
Image Credit: Radosław Zmudziński, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Height:

8 to 11 inches

Weight:

9 to 16 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 16 years

As another small dog breed that’s “hypoallergenic,” it’s not hard to see why the Shih Tzu is such a popular dog breed. They’re super loving, do great with kids, and also get along great with other dogs. They’re also fairly eager to please their owners and only have moderate energy levels. When you pair this with their small size, it’s not hard to see why they’re a great choice for first-time dog owners.


17. Chihuahua

chihuahua dog standing on grass lifting one front leg
Image Credit: Dennis Jacobsen, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

6 to 9 inches

Weight:

3.5 to 6.5 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 14 years

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed on our list, but that doesn’t mean they’re the easiest pup to take care of. In fact, while they might be the smallest, the Chihuahua is also the most challenging to own. They’re loving dogs, but they can be a bit stubborn, and they usually don’t do great with kids. And because of their size, you need to be careful with them around other dogs too.


18. Border Collie

Male Blue Merle Border Collie
Image Credit: ForeverNaturalPhotography, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

18 to 22 inches

Weight:

27 to 45 pounds

Lifespan:

10 to 17 years

The Border Collie is another extremely intelligent dog breed, and it’s not uncommon to see them in New Jersey. Just know that they are very high-energy dogs, so if you don’t have plenty of space for them to run around, it can be challenging to own one.

They also don’t always get along great with children and with pets like cats because of their herding instincts, but with lots of socialization and a steady and experienced hand, you should be able to work around this.


19. Great Dane

merle great dane dog standing outdoor
Image Credit: velora, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

28 to 35 inches

Weight:

100 to 200 pounds

Lifespan:

8 to 10 years

If you’re looking for the largest dog breed on our list, that title belongs to the Great Dane. There’s a big size difference between males and females, but males can weigh up to 200 pounds. That’s almost twice as large as any other dog breed on our list.

They’re a great dog to own, but simply because of their much larger size, we don’t think they’re the best choice for first-time dog owners.


20. Beagle

beagle dog standing outdoor
Image Credit: Artyom Gantsev, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

13 to 16 inches

Weight:

20 to 24 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 15 years

Rounding out our list of the most popular dog breeds in New Jersey is the Beagle. Beagles are hunting dogs by nature and do great as part of a pack, but if you’re not going to leave them alone much and are going to spend a ton of time with them, it’s fine to keep them as the only dog. They’re great dogs overall, just keep in mind that they follow their noses everywhere and this can get them into trouble if they’re not on a leash!

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Conclusion

With so many great dog breeds in New Jersey, there’s no shortage of pups if you’re looking to bring a new one home. You can also find plenty of mixed-breed dogs in shelters, and they might be the perfect fit for your home.

Find a dog that’s perfect for you and give them a loving home, and if you’re in New Jersey, you might just find one of the options on our list is exactly what you’re looking for!

See Also: 


Featured Image Credit: Radomir Rezny, Shutterstock

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