As a lifelong resident of Southeast Michigan, I could easily adjust to living in Canada. In fact, lately, I have been seriously thinking about relocating – at least to the Windsor, Ontario side of Canada. The western coast of Canada in British Columbia has much better weather, but it is a long distance from what I have known all of my life, except for the large dog breeds.

For instance, a Labrador Retriever, although not as large as other breeds, historically has been the most popular breed not only in the United States (U.S.) but in Canada as well. They are mostly known for their gentle and friendly demeanor, but they are also easily trainable and great with families with young children.

Canadian big dog breeds:

• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Labrador Retriever
• Newfoundland dog
• Australian Shepherd
• Leonberger

According to the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC, just like the U.S.’s version of the AKC), they describe a few of Canada’s most popular and biggest dog breeds:

• “Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are to the waters of Northern Atlantic Canada what Saint Bernards are to the Swiss Alps.

A majestic breed that can weigh more than some adult humans, the Newfoundland has a thick, dense, somewhat oily coat that protects him from the cold.

• Canadian Eskimo Dog 

The Government of Nunavut calls the Canadian Eskimo Dog the Canadian Inuit Dog and made the breed the territory’s official animal. In Inuktitut the dog is called Qimmiq and some people in the fancy call it that too, as, while used historically, the word Eskimo is considered offensive.

This hardy breed has protected and worked alongside the people of the Arctic for thousands of years and is considered by many the oldest purebred dog in North America.

As snowmobiles gained favour, the number of Qimmit declined dramatically. Their numbers went from approximately 20,000 in the 1920s down to about 200 dogs by the 1970s. That’s when a project headed by William Carpenter and funded by The Canadian Kennel Club, the Canada Council and private individuals saved the breed from extinction.

• Labrador Retriever

Outgoing, active and intelligent, the Labrador Retrievers have long enjoyed popularity and have been on top of the most popular breed lists here in North America for over a quarter century,”.

Indigenous Canadian dog breeds

We have already discussed the Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlanders; let’s see what the experts have to say about the rest of the Canadian-specific breeds.

The Canadian Encyclopedia shares this information regarding dog breeds indigenous to Canada, “Five of the breeds recognized by the Kennel Club are uniquely Canadian: the Tahltan bear dog, the Canadian Inuit dog, the Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever, the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador retriever. The last two have Canadian names but owe most of their development to breeders in Great Britain and Europe.

A sixth dog breed indigenous to Canada, the Salish woolly dog…

Salish Woolly Dog

The Salish woolly dog was a breed kept by Coast Salish peoples in southern Vancouver Island, the Strait of Georgia, and Washington State. The dogs were small and usually white, with long-hair, prick ears, curled tails and fox-like faces. Their hair was mixed with mountain goat hair to produce clothing and blankets. The Salish woolly dog’s population declined throughout the 1800s due to breeding with European dogs, as well as the displacement of the Indigenous peoples who cared for them. By around 1900, the breed was extinct.

Tahltan Bear Dog

Kept by the Tahltan First Nation of northwestern British Columbia, the Tahltan bear dog was small, probably of the Spitz family, with a foxy head and erect bat ears. They were used for hunting bear and lynx. There are none left in Tahltan country, and those that were registered have long since died.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

A small breed familiar to Canadians, this retriever is almost unknown in other countries. A tolling dog is trained to play along the shoreline, attracting inquisitive ducks to swim within gunshot range; the dog is then sent into the water to retrieve the birds. The dogs are rather foxlike in colour and activity and are intermediate in size and conformation to spaniels and retrievers,”.

Personally, I would love to have a Newfoundland, but I fear they might be too big for my comfort and require too much maintenance for me to handle as a single mom.

What is the most popular dog breed in the United States

Over the last thirty years or more, I have always had at least two dogs at a time, if not three, which makes an official pack. And, yes, it is a lot of work, but when you have two dogs, they tend to keep each other entertained, which in the end is actually less work for me.

I have had these magnificent breeds throughout my time:

• Josi, Chocolate Labrador Retriever 1994-2006
• Roxy, Collie/Shepherd/Coyote mixed breed (Yes, she was actually part Coyote!) 1994-2006
• Luke, Cockapoo/Shiatzu mixed breed 2002-2017
• Clio, Terrier/Australian Shepherd mixed breed 2008-2019
• Phoebe, Labrador Retriever/Pitbull mixed breed 2017-2024
• Otis, German Shepherd 2020-2023
• Lucy, Labrador Retriever/Pitbull/German Shepherd (Yes, she is a product of Phoebe and Otis, who had six puppies: four girls and two boys) 2021-present
• *Coming soon…Luna, Pitbull mixed breed, 2025-present

The American Kennel Club (AKC) cites this set of facts regarding the most popular breeds in the United States, “The French Bulldog continues to top the rankings at the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row. The Labrador Retriever, who had a 31-year run as the most popular breed, is in the No. 2 spot for the third year in a row. Since 2022, the top 5 most popular breeds nationally have not changed rankings, but many other breeds have moved spots from 2023 to 2024. Below, find ranked annual lists of AKC-recognized breeds,”.

Here are the AKC’s top ten breeds per the date of this writing:

1. “French Bulldog
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Poodle
6. Dachshund
7. Beagle
8. Rottweiler
9. Bulldog
10. German Shorthaired Pointer,”.

I love Rottweilers too – maybe that will be my next chosen dog breed.

Big Canadian dog breeds

In conclusion, Canada’s big dog breeds reflect both its rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Whether it’s a Newfoundland or a Canadian Inuit Dog, these dogs offer companionship, history, and heart—perfect for anyone embracing northern life with a furry friend.

(Photo Credit: Canadian Encyclopedia Canadian Inuit Dog)