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15 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Virginia: 2026 Update
Virginians love their dogs, but the truth is that some dog breeds are more popular in the state than others. So, we’ve highlighted 15 of the most popular dog breeds in the state for you below. Whether you’re looking to find out which breeds you can expect to find in the state or want to find the perfect dog breed for yourself, you’ve come to the right place!
Top 15 Popular Dog Breeds in Virginia
1. Cane Corso
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There are tons of popular dogs in Virginia, but by far the most popular throughout the entire state is the Cane Corso. It’s an extremely large dog breed that’s loving and eager to please, but we still only recommend it for more experienced dog owners.
Not only is it a large dog breed, but they also need a bit more socialization with kids and pets; otherwise, they might not behave the most appropriately.
2. Labrador Retriever
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The Labrador Retriever is a well-loved dog breed everywhere, so it’s no surprise to see it near the top of the list for Virginia. Labrador Retrievers are not only an extremely loving and eager-to-please dog breed, but they usually get along excellent with kids and other pets.
They’re great dogs for both beginner and experienced pet owners. They are larger dogs with higher energy levels though, so it’s best to have a little extra space if you’re thinking about bringing one home.
3. Golden Retriever
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The Golden Retriever is similar to the Labrador Retriever in quite a few ways, including how loving, loyal, and great with families and other pets they are. Golden Retrievers are popular all over the country and Virginia is no exception. If you have enough space for one, they’re a great addition to any family and a great first-time dog!
4. Poodle
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Poodles come in all shapes and sizes, which is why you can find them as little as 6 pounds and as big as 70! But no matter their sizes, all Poodles have a few things in common that make them such an outstanding choice.
They’re brilliant, considered more hypoallergenic than other dogs (although no truly hypoallergenic dog exists), and they get along great with kids and other dogs. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or an experienced handler, a Poodle is a great companion.
5. French Bulldog
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The French Bulldog is a small to mid-sized dog breed that gets along great with kids, is super loving, and is eager to please. They also tend to get along great with other dog breeds, you just need to be careful with smaller French Bulldogs because they often forget just how small they are.
6. Goldendoodle
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The Goldendoodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. And since both parent breeds are extremely popular in Virginia, it’s no surprise that the Goldendoodle is such a popular breed in Virginia. The size of a Goldendoodle varies quite a bit depending on the size of the Poodle parent. And unlike the Poodle, the Goldendoodle isn’t always hypoallergenic.
7. Shiba Inu
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The Shiba Inu is an extremely cute and loving dog breed, but we don’t recommend them for inexperienced handlers. That’s because they’re not always the best around other dogs or children, especially if you don’t take the time to socialize them properly.
Not only that but the Shiba Inu is notoriously stubborn, so persistence and consistent training is key in training them, and it’s likely to be a bit of a struggle.
8. Boxer
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Boxers might look a little more intimidating than some other dog breeds, but they’re big softies at heart. All they want is a lot of love and they’ll remain loyal to you forever, and they really do try their best to listen.
Boxers also tend to do great as family dogs, but they can get a bit jealous and territorial, so you’ll need to socialize them early and often if you want to keep them around other dogs.
9. Australian Shepherd
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The Australian Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog breed that’s always looking to learn more and has a bit of a mental challenge. They’re great with kids too, but you’ll need to spend a little more time socializing them if you want to keep them with other dogs.
Just as important is that the Australian Shepherd is a high-energy dog, so ensure you have plenty of space for them to get out and run around before bringing one home.
10. Chihuahua
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The Chihuahua is the smallest pup on our list, and it’s also the most challenging to own. They tend to think they’re a bit larger than they are, which can get them into trouble with both kids and other dogs.
They’re also notoriously stubborn and tend to be very vocal, which can get you into trouble if you live in close quarters with other people. Still, the Chihuahua has a very loving demeanor and can make the perfect pocket-sized companion for many people!
11. Rottweiler
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The Rottweiler has a bit of an unearned negative reputation in many circles, but that hasn’t kept the people in Virginia from rightfully falling in love with the breed. They’re incredibly loyal pups that want tons of attention, although they require more socialization around children and other dog breeds.
12. Shetland Sheepdog
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With their long flowing coats, few dogs are quite as adorable as the Shetland Sheepdog. But while these dogs simply look adorable, that’s far from the only thing that makes them so popular. They’re also great with other dogs and children, and they’re loving and always eager to please their owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a lot of energy though, and they tend to be a bit more vocal than many other breeds.
13. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a smaller dog breed that is extremely popular in Virginia because of quite a few of its signature traits. They’re incredibly loving and eager to please, great with kids, and they get along phenomenally well with other dogs. They also don’t have quite as much energy as many other dog breeds, and compared to most smaller dogs, they’re not quite as vocal.
14. Beagle
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The Beagle is a hunting dog by nature, and they do well in packs, so if you’re looking to bring home more than one dog, Beagles are a great choice. Not only are they outstanding hunting companions, but they’re also great family dogs. Just keep in mind that they tend to follow their nose quite a bit, so if you’re not careful, they can wander off tracking down a scent!
15. German Shepherd
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The German Shepherd is the last dog breed on our list, but they’re still extremely popular in Virginia. They’re extremely loving and loyal and get along great with kids, although you need to be a bit more careful with them around other dogs.
Also, keep in mind that the German Shepherd has a lot of energy, so if you don’t have plenty of space for them to run around and burn some energy, they can turn into a handful quickly.
Conclusion
Now that you know a little more about some of the most popular dog breeds in Virginia, all that’s left is for you to pick your favorite! Of course, if you head to Virginia, you’re likely to find far more breeds than the 15 we’ve highlighted for you, but it’s also likely that you’ll see more of these pups than any other!
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Featured Image Credit: cynoclub, Shutterstock
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Adam, a dedicated freelance writer and animal advocate, has a long history of rescuing animals and creating compelling written content. For over ten years, he has worked as a freelance writer, and his passion for rescuing animals extends even further back. Adam is also a proud father of three, always ready for a challenge and eager to embark on new adventures.
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