French bulldogs. Beloved pets in the U.S. C'est l'amour.
Frenchies maintained their position as the most popular purebred dogs in the United States last year, as per the latest rankings from the American Kennel Club revealed on Wednesday. While the club hails the Frenchie as the top breed, opinions may vary among other dog enthusiasts.
Is this achievement cause for celebration? Not quite, according to dedicated fans who lament the impact of popularity on the breed. Nonetheless, after surpassing Labrador retrievers to claim the first position in 2022, the distinctive bat-eared, compact bulldogs maintained their lead in the latest rankings, which encompass new puppies and dogs registered with the oldest dog registry in the United States.
"The French Bulldog's continued rise in popularity is evident," stated Gina DiNardo, the executive secretary at the American Kennel Club. "Their exceptional qualities make them great companions for various individuals, but it's crucial to conduct thorough research to find a breed that suits your lifestyle and ensure that you acquire a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder."
Meanwhile, the canine world is abuzz with activity as dachshunds reach a nearly two-decade peak, the cane corso is gaining popularity, and a new breed is emerging on the scene.
However, purebred dogs are just a fraction of the overall dog population in the U.S., where animal shelters have seen a variety of dogs coming in over the past year.
Here's a glimpse of the top 10 breeds this year: Following French bulldogs, the most registered breeds include Labs, golden retrievers, German shepherds, and poodles. Following them are dachshunds, bulldogs, beagles, Rottweilers, and German shorthaired pointers.
All of these breeds were also part of the top 10 in 2022. A decade ago, Yorkshire terriers and boxers were among the popular breeds. Looking back fifty years, the Irish setter, which now ranks 76th, was the third most popular breed.
Preferences for dog breeds change due to various factors, from media exposure to evolving lifestyles as more Americans transition to urban living.
It's important to note that the statistics have their limitations. Registration is voluntary, the AKC provides limited raw data, and the popularity rankings only reflect the club's recognized breeds, which number around 200. This list excludes doodles, other intentional hybrids, and mixed-breed dogs, although they can be registered for activities like agility and obedience under the category of "all-American dogs."
Almost 98,500 French bulldogs were added to the AKC roster last year, following a staggering 108,000 in 2022.
The small, solidly built, push-faced dogs have a penchant for comically pensive expressions and often take city living in stride.
"They're interesting little beings," says Naneice Bucci, who has owned and shown them for decades.
The breed is now a lightning rod for canine controversy and cultural critique.
There are the foreshortened snouts that can result in labored breathing, gagging, difficulty with exercise and other ills — concerns that prompted the Netherlands to ban breeding certain individual dogs with muzzles deemed too short. There are pet-store heists and violent robberies, at least one of them deadly. There's a proliferation of Frenchies with unusual coat colors and textures, which have Frenchie folk squabbling over longtime standards.
And there's concern among long-timers that the hot market for puppies is incentivizing people who are in it for greed, not the breed.
To Bucci, "it's a very scary time."
As a "preservation breeder" who follows AKC standards and conducts a battery of internationally recommended health tests before her dogs reproduce, she dreads that breeders who don't do likewise may lead to crackdowns on everyone. And as a founder of Nevada French Bulldog Rescue, she also sees "all of the underbelly of the people who breed indiscriminately."
"Each time we rescue a Frenchie that's in a dire state, it ignites a fire within me," shares Bucci, a resident near Reno. "Yet, I do not wish to face repercussions for striving to do what's right."
Among various breeds, the distinctive, short-legged dachshund is currently ranked at No. 6, its highest position since 2004. These dogs even reached as high as third place during the 1950s-70s.
Their blend of lively charm, small stature, and tenacity — originally bred to flush out badgers — makes them endearing to many. Despite their size, they possess a full-bodied bark and a tendency towards stubbornness.
"Despite their small size, it's important for people to remember: they are hounds," mentions Carole Krivanich from Milton, Delaware, whose dachshund Mo, nearly 15 years old, is an agility and show champion. Transitioning from owning Rottweilers, she finds dachshunds to be "extremely adaptable" and great companions.
The cane corso (pronounced CAH'-neh COOR'-soh) currently holds the 16th spot in the rankings, a notable achievement for a breed that the AKC only began tracking as recently as 2010. (Possibly aided by notable owners like NBA star LeBron James and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.)
These dogs are commended for being protective, trainable, and deeply attached to their owners. However, the robust breed is "not suitable for individuals unfamiliar with controlling a dog," remarks AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter Munden.
The bracco Italiano debuts in the standings at 152nd most popular. But the large, long-eared bird-hunters aren't exactly obscure. Country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have shared the antics of their bracchi Italiani (that's the proper plural) on social media. A bracco co-owned by McGraw notched a first-round "best of breed" win at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show last year.
The sloughi was rarest among last year's registrations. Sometimes called Arabian greyhounds, the fleet, somewhat shy dogs joined the AKC pack in 2016.
While dogs from affenpinschers to Xoloitzcuintlis were bred last year, U.S. animal shelters were already brimming with dogs and cats. Shelters and rescue groups took in about 3.2 million dogs, while 2.2 million dogs were adopted, according to Shelter Animals Count, a nonprofit that gathers shelter data.
There's "a need for a renewed effort to make adoption a priority for the community," says the group's executive director, Stephanie Filer. Shelters have a wide variety of dogs to offer, including specific breeds, she notes.
Hunter Munden, the AKC's spokesperson, has two rescue dogs and a purebred herself.
"Rescue is wonderful," she said. "However, we do understand that people want specific characteristics to fit their lifestyle, when it comes to dog ownership, and that's where purebred dogs come in."
