Top 10 MOST POPULAR Dog Breeds In The Philippines ( 2023 )

Like many other countries worldwide, people in the Philippines love dogs.

Many breeds favored by Filipinos are popular across the rest of the world, but that’s because the reasons for popularity remain reasonably consistent.

This list covers the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the Philippines.

These breeds were chosen based on temperament, ease of handling, size, and several other factors.

Check out the list to see if your favorite breed got a spot.

10. Beagle

Beagles have long been popular in many countries, particularly in the Philippines.

Beagles make excellent family pets and are known to be very playful around kids.

The Beagle has a distinctive appearance: small-medium dogs with black and tan patches on white fur.

Beagles will never grow too big, and although they’re energetic, their size makes them pretty easy to handle. This is another reason the breed is so popular in the Philippines.

One thing Beagles are known for is their incredible sense of smell. After all, they were initially bred as hunting dogs and needed to track prey.

Their sense of smell is very powerful and will often decide where the dog wants to go and how fast.

When taking a Beagle for a walk, beware that it might decide to walk you if there are any interesting smells around.

Temperament is another reason Beagles are so popular in the Philippines, although this is true for their worldwide popularity.

Beagles are known to be happy, playful, curious, well-mannered, and eager to please, all of which make them an excellent choice as a family dog.

However, their playfulness can come across as cheeky, so proper obedience training is a must.

9. Poodle

A Poodle is a unique dog and has long been kept by people as a fashion statement, although they also make great pets.

While Poodles are by no means aggressive, they can be wary around strangers and protective of their homes and family. All of this makes them a great choice as guard dogs.

Poodles are another easily recognizable breed. They’re large dogs with curly or fluffy fur resembling sheep’s wool.

They come in a wide range of colors and textures, but all are very fluffy. Moreover, Poodles are a common sight for dog groomers because their coat is easy to style and needs plenty of maintenance.

Surprisingly for their size, Poodles are quite an energetic breed. As a result, they need regular walking and plenty of mental stimulation.

Without it, they can become highly strung, resulting in destructive behavior and boredom.

Poodles are popular in the Philippines because they’re fashionable dogs that work well in a home environment.

When it comes to temperament, a Poodle is a winner regardless of where in the world you are.

Poodles are known for their intelligence, but they can sometimes resist commands. However, Poodles are very easy to train and respectful of their family when done correctly.

While they can be excitable, this isn’t too difficult to control with the proper training.

8. Pug

It’s hardly a surprise that Pugs make it onto the list of the most popular dog breeds in the Philippines, as they’d probably be on any country’s list.

Pugs originated in China and were explicitly bred as lapdogs and house pets. Their small size and great temperament make them ideal family dogs, particularly those without much space.

Due to them being lap dogs, Pugs crave human attention, and without it, they can become very depressed.

Similarly, they’re very playful dogs and get on well with all family members and other dogs.

However, training is best continued throughout the dog’s life because they need mental stimulation. Without it, they can become bored and depressed.

Filipinos, like many others, appreciate the Pug’s appearance. Its distinctive squished face, small size, and unique color make the breed appealing.

Similarly, being small dogs means that Pugs are pretty easy to care for and are even well suited to living in an apartment.

This makes them the right choice for families who might not accommodate a larger dog. What’s more, you get a massive personality in a tiny body with a Pug!

One major thing that Filipinos and owners in other countries overlook is the Pug’s potential health complications.

While this is something that owners of all dogs need to consider, Pugs are particularly prone to respiratory and eye conditions, which can become very expensive.

7. Golden Retriever

Along with the Labrador, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the world.

Golden Retrievers are not just loving but are also kind, friendly, intelligent, and playful.

However, it needs constant training and stimulation to keep the dog happy, although this isn’t too hard to provide.

Their appeal to Filipinos is that Golden Retrievers are happy around people but are usually pleased to be left alone during the working day.

Golden Retrievers are another breed that can easily be recognized by most. Their distinctive wavy coat is very soft, surprisingly easy to manage, and comes in red, gold, or yellow shades.

Golden Retrievers are relatively large dogs, which does put some people off, but they’ll be an ideal choice for those with enough space to accommodate one.

The breed is very easygoing with children, which is true even when it comes to grooming time!

While Golden Retrievers aren’t known for being the most energetic breed, they still need plenty of exercise to stay healthy.

Also, exercise provides them with good mental stimulation, which is incredibly important for intelligent breeds.

It’s worth taking them to obedience classes from a young age to harness this intelligence, and the breed is known for filling various working roles around the home.

6. Dalmatian

A common theme on this list is distinctive dog breeds, and the Dalmatian is no exception.

Moreover, Dalmatians are friendly and loving dogs that make great family pets.

Dalmatians are large dogs and need a lot of feeding due to their activity levels. They’re known for their unique spots and coat color, and these spots are different for each dog.

Their size means that daily walks of at least an hour are necessary, although Dalmatians would be perfectly happy to exercise the whole day.

Another appealing feature about the Dalmatian for Filipinos is the breed’s temperament.

Dalmatians are friendly and playful but must be appropriately trained to get the most out of them.

They appreciate lots of love and attention from all family members and can be kept with other dogs, although this could lead to jealousy if not appropriately handled.

As you can probably guess, Dalmatians need many exercises to stay fit and healthy.

This is mainly due to the breed’s use as working dogs, and giving the right amount of exercise is something owners have to commit to.

5. Shih Tzu

This breed is small and reasonably easy to manage, but they’re also known for their potentially stubborn temperament.

However, this is nothing that the right training and exercise can’t take care of.

Shih Tzus are small dogs, making them suitable for any household.

Their coat is long and wavy but often cut short, making it easier to manage.

One of the major drawbacks of Shih Tzus is that they need plenty of grooming, but this isn’t usually something that puts potential owners off.

Surprisingly for their size, the Shih Tzu needs quite a lot of exercise. They’re an energetic breed but are also very playful, so plenty of walking and socializing with other dogs is the perfect way to keep them manageable.

Overall, Shih Tzu has a friendly temperament and is very affectionate towards its owners.

This makes them suitable as family pets and happy to be kept with other dogs.

However, proper training is vital to minimize their stubborn streak and ensure they listen to their owners.

4. Chihuahua

 

It might be a surprise to find the Chihuahua on a list of the most popular breeds in the Philippines, but there are plenty of reasons for this.

The most recognizable thing about the Chihuahua, along with its massive head, is its tiny size. Known as the world’s smallest dog, the Chihuahua is on another level of small.

While this makes them much easier to keep, it also means owners need to be very careful around small children.

Chihuahuas come in short and long hair types, but short hair is much easier to manage.

Most importantly, Chihuahuas have a good temperament but can also be aggressive if not appropriately trained. They’re pretty intelligent dogs and learn quickly, which can be both good and bad.

They must be socialized from a young age, both with people and other dogs.

Exercise isn’t as big a deal for dogs like Chihuahuas simply because they’re so small. Daily walking is still important for mental stimulation as much as exercise, but they need far less than a bigger breed.

This is a major source of appeal for working Filipinos, as Chihuahuas only need 20-30 minutes of exercise daily.

3. German Shepherd

Part of the reason German Shepherds are so popular with law enforcement is that they can be easily trained and naturally wary.

The appearance of a German Shepherd hardly needs describing. They’re medium to large dogs with black and brown coat, generally longer around the chest and legs.

Filipinos appreciate the breed’s appearance because it’s unlike any other breed on this list.

However, their size means that the breed isn’t suitable for all households, as the dogs need plenty of space to thrive.

German Shepherds are less playful than other breeds but make excellent family dogs.

They’re incredibly intelligent and can learn a wide range of complex commands.

Known for being loyal, German Shepherds can protect their family and property while wary of strangers.

Training from a young age is necessary to ensure owners get the most out of these amazing dogs.

Exercise is a big deal for German Shepherds, as the breed is known for its energy levels.

Daily walking is a must, along with plenty of mental stimulation. While this might put owners off, many Filipinos appreciate the breed’s higher energy levels.

2. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers are generally known as guard dogs and are very protective of their space.

However, they also make good family dogs and are surprisingly calm around children.

Doberman is quite a large breed and can weigh up to 90 lbs. Much like other big dogs, this means they’re not suitable for every household, but those with enough space will appreciate a Doberman.

The breed is easily identified because of its pointy and sleek appearance and distinctive black coat and chestnut.

Dobermans aren’t necessarily energetic dogs, but the simple fact that they’re so big means they need more exercise than other breeds.

However, this isn’t something that puts Filipinos off appreciating the breed, and it’s, in fact, one of the most popular breeds of dog found in the Philippines.

Although the breed is mainly known for its protective nature, dogs have a great temperament.

They’re incredibly loyal and loving but can also be playful in the right situations. Dobermans are good around children, but they need to be correctly trained and ideally raised in the right environment.

That said, providing their owner is confident enough, Dobermans can make excellent companion pets.

1. Labrador Retriever

Unsurprisingly, the world’s most popular dog is also the Philippines’ most popular dog.

Labrador Retrievers have been known as family pets for around 200 years and are common in many homes.

The reasons for this hardly need stating, mainly if you’ve ever owned or played with a Labrador.

Similarly, they’re also very intelligent dogs and are very easy to train, although this should be kept up throughout the dog’s life to maximize results.

Labradors are known for their appearance, although it’s not necessarily that unique.

Labradors are generally white to yellow but also come in chocolate and black. Their coat is reasonably short but very thick, meaning it needs more grooming than you might think.

However, as its coat is short, it’s easy to maintain- perfect for tropical countries like the Philippines.

The breed is medium to large, meaning it’s not suitable for all homes, but it doesn’t need much space as a Doberman or German Shepherd.

Labradors are popular in the Philippines and elsewhere because they’re as close to the perfect family dog as you’re ever going to find.

They’re incredibly friendly towards humans and other animals and intelligent enough to fill various roles.

That said, they need plenty of exercises to be kept under control, which many new owners overlook.

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Conclusion:

Well, there you have it, the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the Philippines.

As you can see, many of them are also often found on the world’s most popular breeds lists.

This shows Filipinos have good taste in dog breeds.

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Related Questions:

1. What is the most expensive dog in the Philippines?

The most expensive dog in the Philippines is the Pomsky or the Pomeranian Husky Mix, selling for around 52,000-260,000 PHP 

Runners-up are as follows:

• Chow Chow: 52,000-205,000 PHP
• French Bulldog: 92,000-205,000 PHP 
• Alaskan Malamute: 61,000-179,000 PHP 
• Golden Retrievers: 41,000-102,000 PHP 

2. What are the cheapest dog breeds in the Philippines?

• Shih Tzu: 5,000 – 25,000 PHP
• Chihuahua: 10,000 – 35,000 PHP
• Pomeranian: 15,000 – 30,000 PHP
• Labrador Retriever: 15,000 – 40,000 PHP
• Siberian Husky: 15,000 – 50,000 PHP