Illinois’s population is 12.4 million-strong, and Chicago accounts for about 20% of that. But the state is also famed for its rolling hills, deep forests, and boundless farmland. With a land area greater than that of many countries, and a wide array of urban, rural, and suburban locales, Illinois is hospitable to breeds of all shapes and sizes. The state has a humid climate, with summers averaging 73 degrees Fahrenheit and spring and fall bringing moderate temperatures. But winter weather can be frigid and unpredictable, regularly dipping below 30 degrees — and that’s before the notoriously brutal wind-chill. (They don’t call Chicago the Windy City for nothing.) Many Illinoisans favor thick-coated breeds that can tolerate cold weather, or lower-energy dog breeds (not to mention cats!) that don’t as much outdoor time. Here are some of our most popular dog breeds in Illinois: