German Shepherds once ruled as Ohio’s favorite dog breed, but they have now been dethroned in 2025.
A different dog has stolen the hearts of dog owners in the Buckeye State, according to a new study from U.S. News & World Report, which analyzed the most popular breed of dogs in every state. Nationally, that title belongs to the Labrador retriever, but German Shepherds remain in the country’s top five most popular dog breeds.
What is Ohio’s most beloved dog breed? Here’s which breed is most popular.
What is Ohio’s favorite dog breed? Meet the American pit bull terrier
Top dog breeds in America: American pit bull terrier
American pit bull terriers take the top spot as the most popular dog breed in Ohio. They also stand among the top five dog breeds in the nation, sitting at No. 4, according to the U.S. News study. The publication describes American pit bull terriers as an energetic breed and a good choice for active households.
The state’s most popular dog breed was followed closely by the golden retriever as the second-favorite. German shepherds held the No. 3 spot for most popular dog breeds in Ohio.
American pit bull terrier is the No. 1 dog breed in Ohio. Here’s why
American pit bull terriers jumped in popularity in 2025, taking fourth place nationwide, up from No. 8.
The U.S. News & World Report study analyzed 1,261,285 data points (which include dog breeds, dog owner ZIP codes and state residences) from Fletch, a third-party pet insurance industry partner, from January 2022 to July 2025. The information was used to determine the most popular dog breeds in every state, including Ohio.
Pros and cons of owning an American pit bull terrier
Despite the longstanding myth that pit bulls are always aggressive, American pit bull terriers are generally known to be extremely friendly, loyal and affectionate. They are also highly intelligent and healthy, according to DogTime.
However, the site adds that as high-energy animals, American pit bull terriers need plenty of exercise and strong leadership. While generally friendly to humans, they can show some aggression toward other animals without proper training. Breed-specific legislation can also make it more challenging and expensive to own a pit bull in some locations.
As Dog Time notes, any poorly trained or abused dog may have the capacity to become overly aggressive, even if aggression is not inherently in their nature.
Is it illegal to own a pit bull in Ohio? No statewide ban
Owning a pit bull is legal in Ohio, but Michigan State University’s Animal Legal & Historical Center notes, there may be local laws and ordinances in place. Those laws can ban or place significant restrictions on owning a specific dog breed, such as requiring a dog to be spayed or neutered, obtaining liability insurance and registering your dog with the county. Rules can vary based on your location.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize the American pit bull terrier as a breed, but it does have official entries for the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and American bulldog.
The 10 most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
These are America’s favorite dog breeds, per U.S. News & World Report:
Golden retrievers (No. 2 in Ohio)
American pit bull terriers (No. 1 in Ohio)
German shepherds (No. 3 in Ohio)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: German shepherd dethroned as Ohio’s most popular dog breed