Aug. 26. With 65.1 million U.S. households owning at least one dog, International Dog Day, aka Aug. 26, is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our furry friends. While a wide variety of breeds can make great companions, some breeds are more favored than others.

American Bulldog | Photo: American Kennel Club

To uncover which dog breeds are the favorites nationwide and in each state, Forbes Advisor surveyed 10,000 American dog owners. The American Bulldog was North Carolina’s favorite dog breed.

To view the full study:

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/favorite-dog-breeds-by-state/

Key findings:

• Beagles and Shih Tzus round out the top three most favored breeds in North Carolina.

• North Carolina’s least favorite dog breed is Havanese.

• Two shepherds ranked as the nation’s favorite breeds: the Australian shepherd (#1) and the German shepherd (#2).