Dog Lover? These Are Maine’s Top 3 Breeds You See Everywhere

Ah yes, the dog — man’s best friend. Good old Fido, Rover, and all the rest. Arguably one of the greatest creations life has to offer.

Let’s be honest: if you’re a dog lover, you already know the magic. Dogs are incredible creatures. Loyal, affectionate, protective, and playful. They bring unprecedented joy into our lives. Simply put, they’re pretty close to perfect.

Are Dogs Good for Your Health?

They can even help improve your health. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs can lower stress, improve heart health, promote a more active lifestyle, reduce loneliness, and even lessen the threat of allergies.

As you can probably tell, I’ve been a dog owner my entire life — and for me, it’s rescue dogs all the way! But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a soft spot for every breed out there.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to do a little research to figure out the most popular dog breeds in Maine. Thankfully, the fine folks over at U.S. News & World Report had already done the heavy lifting. The site analyzed hundreds of thousands of data points to determine the top three most popular breeds in every state.

What are the Most Popular Dog Breeds in Maine?

Maine’s top three are classic breeds — and definitely ones you're likely to run into around here. Let’s take a closer look, with some help from the American Kennel Club.

Labrador Retriever
Basically, the perfect dog. Labs are wonderful family pets and great with kids. They’re affectionate, playful, energetic, and endlessly lovable. They're also excellent working dogs, especially for hunters. They’re called “retrievers” for a reason. Oh, and they come in chocolate, which is just the cherry on top.

Golden Retriever
The ultimate family dog. Goldens are easy to train, gentle with children, good with other pets, and always up for a walk. Sure, keeping them clean can be a chore, but they more than make up for it with their affectionate nature and goofball charm. They also make amazing service and working dogs.

American Pit Bull Terrier
This breed often stirs up debate, but those who love pit bulls will defend them forever. They’re incredibly loyal, full of affection for their people, and always ready to play. They also tend to be a very healthy, energetic breed.

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That’s a pretty solid top three for Maine, and honestly, not a surprising one. All three breeds frequently show up on other states’ top lists as well. Makes sense, considering it’s a list of, you know, the most popular dog breeds.

You can check out every state’s top three here.