10 Popular Dog Breeds in South Carolina: From French Bulldogs to the State’s Own Boykin Spaniel
October 5, 2026
Walk any beach in Myrtle Beach or trail in the Upstate on a Saturday morning, and the leashes tell a story about what South Carolina really values in a companion. Popular dog breeds in South Carolina range from compact apartment dogs suited to Charleston’s historic downtown to the state’s own hunting spaniel bred in the Wateree River swamps. The mix says a lot about a state that is equal parts coastal city, small town, and backcountry.
This guide walks through ten breeds that show up again and again across South Carolina neighborhoods, with a look at why each one fits the Palmetto State’s humid summers, mild winters, and mix of urban and rural lifestyles. For a look at how a neighboring state’s preferences compare, the popular dog breeds in North Carolina share some overlap with South Carolina’s list, though not always in the same order.
| Breed | Size | Energy Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | Large | High | Families, water activities |
| French Bulldog | Small | Low to moderate | Apartments, city living |
| Labradoodle | Medium to large | High | Active households, allergy-sensitive owners |
| German Shepherd | Large | High | Working roles, protection |
| Shih Tzu | Small | Low | Apartments, companionship |
| Chihuahua | Toy | Moderate | Small spaces, single owners |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Toy | Moderate | Lap-dog companionship |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | Moderate | Families, gentle temperament |
| Boykin Spaniel | Medium | High | Hunters, water and field work |
| English Bulldog | Medium | Low | Laid-back households |
1. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever (Canis lupus familiaris) remains one of the most dependable family dogs found across South Carolina’s suburbs and lake communities. According to the American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers held steady in the same ranking spot from 2024 to 2025, alongside Rottweilers, Beagles, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and French Bulldogs. Rottweilers, Beagles, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and French Bulldogs all stayed in the same ranking spot year over year.
Their thick double coat sheds heavily, which matters in a state where summer humidity can make grooming a year-round chore rather than a seasonal one. Golden Retrievers also love water, a trait that pairs well with South Carolina’s lakes, rivers, and coastline. Owners in the Midlands and Upstate alike often choose the breed for its patience with kids and its willingness to hike, swim, or simply nap on command. For a sense of how the breed performs outside the Southeast, the popular dog breeds in Missouri list shows a similar family-first pattern in a very different climate.
Pro Tip: South Carolina’s humid summers make regular brushing essential for double-coated breeds like the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd. Skipping grooming can lead to matting and skin irritation in the heat.
2. French Bulldog
Few breeds have climbed the national charts as fast as the French Bulldog, and South Carolina has followed the trend right along with the rest of the country. The results for 2025 are in — the French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot once again, marking the fourth year in a row that the French Bulldog has been able to remain in the top spot. That run began when in 2022, they overthrew the Labrador Retriever’s 31-year reign in the number one spot, where they’d been since the 1990s.
The appeal is easy to see in a state full of townhomes, condos, and historic downtowns like Charleston and Columbia. French Bulldogs are compact, need only moderate exercise, and adjust well to smaller living spaces. Regionally, they share the spotlight with a few other small breeds; California and Hawaii match with the French bulldog at No. 1, followed by the Chihuahua and golden retriever, showing the breed’s appeal stretches from coast to coast, not just the Southeast. For more on how the Frenchie stacks up nationally, see the American Kennel Club’s most popular breeds rankings. South Carolina’s own preference for small, low-maintenance dogs also shows up in the popular dog breeds in Hawaii, another state where compact breeds dominate.
3. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is not an AKC-recognized breed, but that has not slowed its popularity among South Carolina families looking for a low-shedding, high-energy companion. A 2021 Rover study focused on Charleston found that tying for the fourth spot were Labradoodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, with Labradoodles ranking 15th nationally as a mix between a poodle and a lab that is loyal and affectionate.
Their poodle heritage gives many Labradoodles a coat that sheds less than a purebred Labrador, which appeals to allergy-sensitive households. As designer breeds continue gaining ground nationally, mixed breeds and designer dogs like Labradoodles and Cavapoos continue to gain traction, even though they don’t make the AKC’s official list, according to iHeartDogs’ 2026 breed rankings. South Carolina’s active outdoor culture, from Lowcountry marshes to Upstate trails, suits a breed that needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. Owners considering a similar mixed breed might also look at trends in the popular dog breeds in Illinois, where designer breeds have made a comparable jump in recent years.
4. German Shepherd
German Shepherds have long been a staple in South Carolina, valued for their intelligence, loyalty, and working ability. On the national stage, the breed has slipped slightly in recent rankings. The German shepherd has dropped out of the top five for the first time since 2024, landing at No. 7, according to U.S. News’s state-by-state pet insurance analysis. Even so, the breed has remained a fixture in AKC’s stable top rankings, as noted earlier alongside Golden Retrievers and French Bulldogs.
South Carolina’s rural communities and working farms still rely on German Shepherds for protection and herding tasks, while suburban families appreciate the breed’s trainability. They do best with consistent exercise and mental challenges, which fits well with the state’s abundance of open land and hiking trails. Full breed rankings and regional comparisons are detailed in the U.S. News most popular dog breeds by state study. Compare that pattern with the popular dog breeds in Arizona, another state where working breeds hold strong appeal despite a very different climate.
5. Shih Tzu
Small, affectionate, and low-shedding, the Shih Tzu has carved out a loyal following across the Southeast, including South Carolina. National data backs up the trend: Labrador retrievers, Yorkshire terriers and shih tzus are all lovable and unique in their own way, rounding out the top five most popular breeds in several state rankings. The pattern is especially strong in nearby states, where Alabama and Georgia both have the Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua and shih tzu in their top three, as does fellow Southern state Louisiana.
Shih Tzus thrive in smaller homes and apartments, making them a practical choice for residents of Columbia, Greenville, and other growing South Carolina cities. Their long coats need regular trims, especially in the state’s warmer months, but their calm temperament makes them well suited to families with children or retirees looking for a steady companion.
Key Insight: Several Southern states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, share a nearly identical top-three list of small breeds. South Carolina’s preferences closely track this regional pattern, favoring compact, low-maintenance dogs over larger working breeds.
6. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas pack outsized personality into a tiny frame, and that combination has made them one of the most popular small breeds in the country. Chihuahuas are tiny but mighty, and as an apartment dweller who occupies less space, these little pups are a safe bet, typically weighing no more than 6 pounds when fully grown. Just across the border, the trend is even more pronounced: Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina all have the Chihuahua at No. 1, Yorkshire terrier at No. 2 and Labrador retriever at No. 3.
South Carolina residents in condos, historic Charleston row houses, and smaller rental units often gravitate toward Chihuahuas because they need minimal space and moderate exercise. Their short coats also make them easier to manage in hot, humid weather compared to heavier-coated breeds. Cat owners weighing a similarly low-maintenance pet might browse the popular cat breeds in Texas, another state where small, apartment-friendly pets dominate.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier’s small size and big personality have kept it firmly in national top-five rankings for years. As noted above, Yorkies frequently appear alongside Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus in Southern state rankings, and Labrador retrievers, Yorkshire terriers and shih tzus consistently round out several regional top-five lists. Their popularity in the South mirrors trends seen in states like Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, where the same trio of small breeds tends to dominate.
South Carolina owners appreciate the Yorkshire Terrier’s minimal shedding and portability, traits that fit well with the state’s active social calendar of farmers markets, outdoor dining, and coastal boardwalks. The breed does require regular coat maintenance, particularly in humid conditions where matting can develop quickly. Anyone curious about feline alternatives with a similar low-maintenance appeal might look at the popular cat breeds in Georgia, a neighboring state with comparable small-pet preferences.
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Gentle, adaptable, and endlessly affectionate, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has become a favorite among South Carolina families who want a dog that is equally happy on a hike or curled up on the couch. Charleston’s own numbers back this up: the same 2021 Rover study found that Labradoodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tied for the fourth spot among the city’s most popular breeds, a strong showing for a breed of its size.
Cavaliers are known for their friendly disposition toward strangers, other pets, and children, which makes them a common choice for South Carolina’s many multi-pet households. Their moderate exercise needs and manageable size also suit both coastal apartments and larger Midlands properties. Households weighing other companion-animal options can compare notes with the most popular cat breeds guide for a sense of what similarly gentle pets look like in feline form.
9. Boykin Spaniel
No list of popular dog breeds in South Carolina would be complete without the state’s own contribution to the sporting world. South Carolina designated the Boykin Spaniel as its official state dog in 1985, and the breed, known for its mild temperament, is highly regarded as both a pet and a hunting dog originally bred for South Carolina hunters by South Carolinians.
The breed’s origin story is part of what makes it a point of local pride. The first Boykin Spaniel was reportedly a small, stray spaniel-type dog that befriended a banker in Spartanburg around 1900. Alexander L. White liked the little dog, called it “Dumpy,” and eventually sent it to his hunting partner Lemuel Whitaker Boykin near Camden, South Carolina, who experimented with crossbreeding to create the dog now named after him. The American Kennel Club describes the result as an avid, eager, merry, and trainable dog that was once South Carolina’s best-kept secret, though that secret spread well beyond state lines once the AKC recognized Boykin Spaniels as an official sporting dog breed in 2009.
Physically, the Boykin Spaniel is built for the swamp, not the show ring. The Boykin Spaniel weighs between 25 and 40 pounds and stands 14 to 18 inches tall, a size deliberately chosen so the dog could ride comfortably in small hunting boats used to navigate the Wateree River Swamp. The goal was to produce a compact, agile dog capable of working from small boats known as pirogues, unlike larger retrievers, while still possessing the stamina and retrieving skills needed for hunting wild turkey, doves, and waterfowl.
A few traits set the Boykin Spaniel apart from other popular South Carolina breeds:
- Rich liver or chocolate-brown coat with feathering on the ears, chest, and legs
- Strong swimming ability, developed for retrieving waterfowl from cold water
- High energy levels that suit hunting families and active outdoor households
- A friendly, trainable temperament that also makes it a solid family companion
Because the breed spends so much time in the field and near water, coat care matters more than it might for a strictly indoor dog. Regular grooming and drying after swims help prevent skin irritation and ear issues that can develop from the breed’s feathering. Anyone spending time in the same swampy terrain the Boykin was built for should also know what else lives there; the types of snakes in South Carolina guide covers the species most likely to be encountered along the state’s rivers and wetlands. For the breed’s full history, the Wikipedia entry on the Boykin Spaniel and the AKC’s official Boykin Spaniel breed page both offer additional detail.
Important Note: While the Boykin Spaniel is South Carolina’s official state dog, it does not typically rank among the state’s most-owned breeds in national pet registration data. Its popularity is concentrated among hunting families and South Carolina natives rather than the general pet-owning population.
10. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog has a reputation for being low-key, and that temperament translates well to South Carolina’s warmer, slower-paced lifestyle. In fact, a 2021 study focused specifically on Charleston found the breed dominant in the Lowcountry: the English Bulldog took the top spot in a Rover study identifying the five most popular dog breeds in Charleston, with English Bulldogs adapting easily to either a laid-back or active Lowcountry lifestyle.
Nationally, the breed has held a steady if slightly shifting position. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Bulldog switched places from 2024 to 2025, with the Bulldog moving from No. 9 in 2024 to No. 10 for 2025. English Bulldogs need only moderate exercise and tolerate heat less well than some breeds on this list, which makes air conditioning a near-necessity during South Carolina’s peak summer months. Their easygoing nature makes them a favorite for owners who want a devoted companion without the exercise demands of a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd. For a look back at how breed popularity has shifted over the decades, the popular dog breeds in the 60s guide shows just how much preferences have changed since the mid-20th century.
South Carolina’s list of favorite dogs reflects a state balancing two identities: a fast-growing collection of coastal cities where small, low-maintenance breeds like the French Bulldog and Chihuahua thrive, and a rural, outdoor-oriented backbone where working and sporting dogs like the German Shepherd and Boykin Spaniel remain essential. Whether choosing a dog for a Charleston apartment or a hunting camp near the Wateree Swamp, matching a breed’s energy level, coat type, and temperament to South Carolina’s climate and lifestyle makes for a much smoother fit than picking based on looks alone.