The 10 most popular dog breeds of 2025, and the crate and bed each one needs
AKC's 2025 top 10 runs from a 28 lb Frenchie to a Rottweiler that can outgrow the biggest standard crate.
Hook: AKC’s 2025 rankings, out in 2026, kept the French Bulldog at No. 1 for the fourth year. If you’re bringing one of the top 10 home, here’s the crate and bed size each breed’s weight points to.
Key takeaways
- Seven of the top 10 land on a 36” or 42” crate by weight.
- The Rottweiler’s upper weight (135 lb, AKC) is past every standard crate chart we cite (top band 110 lb).
- Bed sizes depend on shape: the same Lab is a Large rectangle but an X-Large round bed.
| Rank | Breed | AKC weight | Crate by weight | Orvis rectangle bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French Bulldog | 28 lb | 30” | Small |
| 2 | Labrador Retriever | 55–80 lb | 36”–42” | Medium–Large |
| 3 | Golden Retriever | 55–75 lb | 36”–42” | Medium–Large |
| 4 | German Shepherd Dog | 50–90 lb | 36”–42” (PetMD lists 48”) | Medium–Large |
| 5 | Dachshund | 11–32 lb | 24”–30” | Small |
| 6 | Poodle | toy 4–6, mini 10–15, standard 40–70 lb | 18” / 22”–24” / 30”–36” | Small / Small / Small–Medium |
| 7 | Beagle | (chart typo) | 30” per PetMD | Small (Orvis lists Beagle) |
| 8 | Rottweiler | 80–135 lb | 42”–48”; over 110 lb not covered | Large–X-Large |
| 9 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 45–70 lb | 36” | Medium |
| 10 | Bulldog | 40–50 lb | 30”–36” (PetMD lists 36”) | Small–Medium |
Crate bands: MidWest (11–110 lb) and PetMD (under 12 lb). Beds: Orvis rectangle chart.
Read the range, not the midpoint
For breeds with wide ranges (Lab, GSD, Rottweiler), the top of the range decides the crate. Weigh your dog, then measure: PetMD says measurements beat weight or breed.
Sources: AKC 2025 rankings; AKC weight chart; MidWest; PetMD; Orvis.
Terms used here
- Budget, mid, premium: picks grouped by the maker's own list price, lowest to highest. Budget is everyday basics (a crate, collars, a light harness, boots), mid is padded walking and lift-assist harnesses, premium is specialty gear (a life jacket, a car harness, travel beds). No store prices are shown.
- Chest girth: the distance around the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs. Harnesses are sized by it.
- Back length: base of the neck to base of the tail. A crate should be at least 4 in longer.
- Paw width: the widest part of the front paw while standing. Boots are sized by it.
- Weight band: the weight range a crate or bed size is made for on the maker's chart.