Norsk Kennel Klub (NKK), the Norwegian Kennel Club, keeps the register of pedigree dogs in Norway and publishes the number of registrations for each breed. In 2025 it registered 23,712 dogs. The Golden Retriever came first with 1,274, followed by the Border Collie with 1,001 and the Labrador Retriever with 893.
These numbers cover only dogs registered with the NKK during 2025. Mixed breeds and dogs without NKK papers are not part of the count, and dogs registered in earlier years are not added in. The list shows which pedigree breeds were chosen in 2025, not how many dogs of each breed live in Norwegian homes.
Top 10 breeds in 2025
No. 1: Golden Retriever
A gentle, eager-to-please family dog with a long coat that sheds a lot and needs regular brushing.
No. 2: Border Collie
Second with 1,001 registrations; the NKK says it suits owners who want an engaged working dog but needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
No. 3: Labrador Retriever
A friendly, food-loving retriever that needs daily exercise and is widely used as an assistance dog.
No. 4: English Cocker Spaniel
A merry, busy gundog of medium size that is equally at home in the field and the family.
No. 5: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
A muscular, people-loving terrier of medium size, known for its affection toward its family.
No. 6: Havanese
A small, sociable companion with a soft, silky coat that likes to stay close to its people.
No. 7: English Setter
An elegant, gentle bird dog with a speckled coat, bred to range widely and point game.
No. 8: Norwegian Elkhound (Grey)
Norway's own moose-hunting spitz and the highest-placed Nordic breed in the list, with 563 registrations.
No. 9: Danish-Swedish Farmdog
A small, lively farm dog once used for ratting and watching the yard, now a popular family companion.
No. 10: Finnish Lapphund
A friendly, thick-coated reindeer herding dog from the far north that is calm and easy to live with.
Reading this year’s list
The NKK called 2025 a year of normal, predictable development, and the list looks settled. The Golden Retriever leads the Border Collie by 273 registrations. After the Labrador come the English Cocker Spaniel (806) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (767), then the Havanese (602), the only small companion breed in the top 10.
Hunting and working dogs make up most of the list. The Golden, the Labrador, the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Setter (583) are gundogs, and the Border Collie is a herding dog. Three Nordic breeds fill places 8 to 10: the Norwegian Elkhound (563), the Danish-Swedish Farmdog (541) and the Finnish Lapphund (502).
The German Shepherd Dog is a notable absence. It is third in Sweden but only No. 12 in Norway with 432 registrations, just behind the Shetland Sheepdog with 465. The Border Collie at No. 2 is also higher than in most countries in this section. The NKK says it suits owners who want an engaged working dog, but that it needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
About the No. 1 breed: Golden Retriever
- Size
- Large
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
- Origin
- United Kingdom
Temperament
Golden Retrievers are friendly, even-tempered and keen to be part of family life. Most are gentle with children and polite with other dogs, and very few show aggression. They love to carry things in their mouths, from toys to socks. Because they are sensitive to tone of voice, calm praise and rewards work far better than scolding.
Size and build
A sturdy, balanced dog with a broad head and a dense coat from cream to deep gold. Under the FCI standard, males stand about 56 to 61 cm and females about 51 to 56 cm at the shoulder. Males usually weigh roughly 29 to 34 kg and females roughly 25 to 29 kg.
Daily care
Plan for one to two hours of activity every day, with swimming, retrieving or search games when possible. In winter, trim the hair between the toes so snow does not ball up, and use a reflective vest or light on dark afternoon walks. The coat sheds all year, so brush several times a week. In summer, check the coat for ticks after walks in long grass.
Who it suits
Families, first-time owners who are willing to train, and outdoor people who want a dog for hiking, skiing trips or hunting. A Golden is a poor fit for people who are away most of the day, dislike dog hair in the house or want a dog that is content with short walks.
Health in general terms
Hip and elbow dysplasia and several inherited eye diseases are known in the breed. Cancer is also more common in Goldens than in many breeds, so it is worth showing any new lump or unusual tiredness to a vet. Skin and ear problems often follow wet walks and swims. Ask breeders whether the parents' hips, elbows and eyes were examined, and read the results together.
This is general breed information, not medical advice. Ask a veterinarian about your own dog, and ask any breeder about the health tests used for the parents.
Why the Golden Retriever is popular in Norway
The NKK gives a reason for the Golden Retriever's popularity in its press release. It says the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are valued for their stable temperament, their social nature and their ability to fit into many different life situations. In other words, the breed works for families with children, for single owners and for people who want to try hunting or dog sports.
The Golden's build also fits Norwegian conditions. Its thick, water-resistant double coat handles cold, wet and snowy weather well, and it enjoys swimming and long walks in forest and mountain terrain. At the same time, it is usually calm and gentle at home. A dog that can join a long weekend trip and then settle quietly indoors suits many Norwegian households.
What these rankings measure
National kennel club breed rankings are registration rankings, not a census of the dogs living in each country. Only purebred puppies registered with the national kennel club are counted. Mixed-breed dogs, dogs from shelters and most dogs bred outside the club system never appear. Rules and fees differ between clubs, so the numbers are best compared within one country, not across countries.
Useful tools
See also: White-throated dipper: National Bird of Norway