26th August is International Dog Day, an annual observance founded in 2004 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige to celebrate dogs of all breeds, promote adoption, and raise awareness of canine welfare.
To mark the occasion, a study by HonestPet analysed hashtags for more than 200 dog breeds on Instagram and TikTok to determine which are most likely to be shared online. The figures were combined to create a ranking of the 20 most socially celebrated breeds.
Top 5 social media breeds
Golden Retrievers claimed the top spot as the most celebrated breed, with 46.3 million combined posts, including 40.1 million on Instagram and 6.2 million on TikTok. Originally bred to retrieve waterfowl, they are now valued as family pets, therapy dogs, and service animals.
French Bulldogs secured 2nd place with 44.9 million total posts, comprising 40.6 million on Instagram and 4.3 million on TikTok. Originally bred in England as miniature Bulldogs, they became popular among French lace workers in the 1800s.
The Chihuahua ranks 3rd with 44.3 million combined posts, including 38.8 million on Instagram and 5.5 million on TikTok. Named after the Mexican state where they were discovered, Chihuahuas are among the oldest breeds in the Americas.
Poodles hold 4th position with 27.9 million posts across both platforms. Initially bred in Germany as water retrievers, modern Poodles come in standard, miniature, and toy sizes and are recognised for their intelligence and low-shedding coats.
The traditional Bulldog rounds out the top 5 with 27.1 million combined posts. Once bred for bull-baiting in England, today’s Bulldogs are gentle companions known for their wrinkled faces and stocky builds.
Top 20 rankings
| Rank | Dog Breed | Instagram Posts | TikTok Posts | Total Posts |
| 1 | Golden Retriever | 40,100,000 | 6,200,000 | 46,300,000 |
| 2 | French Bulldog | 40,600,000 | 4,300,000 | 44,900,000 |
| 3 | Chihuahua | 38,800,000 | 5,500,000 | 44,300,000 |
| 4 | Poodle | 25,800,000 | 2,100,000 | 27,900,000 |
| 5 | Bulldog | 24,400,000 | 2,700,000 | 27,100,000 |
| 6 | German Shepherd | 22,300,000 | 3,700,000 | 26,000,000 |
| 7 | Shiba Inu | 18,500,000 | 890,900 | 19,390,900 |
| 8 | Beagle | 15,000,000 | 1,300,000 | 16,300,000 |
| 9 | Maltese | 14,200,000 | 845,700 | 15,045,700 |
| 10 | Pug | 10,100,000 | 3,000,000 | 13,100,000 |
| 11 | Siberian Husky | 9,900,000 | 891,700 | 10,791,700 |
| 12 | Yorkshire Terrier | 9,700,000 | 465,800 | 10,165,800 |
| 13 | Jack Russell Terrier | 8,500,000 | 458,700 | 8,958,700 |
| 14 | Pomeranian | 4,500,000 | 2,700,000 | 7,200,000 |
| 15 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 6,500,000 | 557,200 | 7,057,200 |
| 16 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 4,500,000 | 417,400 | 4,917,400 |
| 17 | Boxer | 4,200,000 | 714,200 | 4,914,200 |
| 18 | Chow Chow | 4,300,000 | 603,200 | 4,903,200 |
| 19 | Akita | 4,300,000 | 399,900 | 4,699,900 |
| 20 | Greyhound | 4,300,000 | 223,300 | 4,523,300 |
Dr Kelly Hood, DVM, at Hampton Roads and in-house expert at HonestPet, commented on the findings: “Golden Retrievers take the top spot because they’re versatile, photogenic, and have temperaments that make them ideal family pets and service animals. It’s also popular to characterise Goldens as goofy, playful animals that resonate with audiences all over social media.”
“What’s fascinating is how many traditional working breeds remain popular despite our shift to more urban living. German Shepherds, originally bred for herding, remain highly valued as both family pets and working dogs, showing the adaptability of these breeds. Social media gives us an insight into how these breeds work and how we can live alongside them. It is more interesting to see a dog excel at the job it was bred for than just to see it napping by the window, although a blend of both tends to bring in the most views.”
“For families considering their first dog, social media can provide valuable insights, but it’s crucial to research breed-specific needs beyond their online popularity. A breed’s energy level, size, and temperament should align with your lifestyle for a successful match.”