French bulldogs remain most popular American breeds in new rankings

French bulldog. American Dog Owners. This is love.

French bulldogs remained the most commonly registered purebred dogs in the United States last year, according to American Kennel Club rankings released Wednesday. The club says French bulldogs are the most popular breed, although other canine voters may think otherwise.

Is this a coup worth celebrating? Longtime fans, by contrast, say they lament the impact that popularity has had on the breed. Still, after beating Labrador retrievers to take the top spot in 2022, the bat-eared, miniature pit bull retains its lead in the new rankings, reflecting last year’s addition to the oldest dog registry in the United States of puppies and other dogs.

Meanwhile, the Dachshund was at its peak of nearly two decades, the Cane Corso was making its move, and a new breed was emerging.

Of course, purebred dogs are only one part of the U.S. canine population, and in the last year, U.S. animal shelters have faced an influx of dogs of all types. Here is a snapshot:

top 10

Besides Frenchies, the most common registered breeds are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Poodles. Then there are Dachshunds, Bulldogs, Beagles, Rottweilers and German Shorthaired Pointers.

By 2022, they are all in the top ten as well. A decade ago, Yorkshire Terriers and Boxers were also in this group. Going back half a century, the third most popular breed was the Irish Setter – now ranked 76th.

As more Americans move to cities, dog preferences have changed, from media exposure (social media and otherwise) to lifestyle changes.

Statistics have their limitations. Registration is voluntary, the AKC releases little raw data, and the popularity rankings only measure the club’s roughly 200 recognized breeds. They do not include doodles, other intentionally cross-bred dogs, or everyday mixed-breed dogs, although these dogs can be registered as All-Americans for sports such as agility and obedience.

French discomfort

Last year, nearly 98,500 French Bulldogs joined the AKC population, and in 2022 that number is as high as 108,000.

This small, stocky, gaunt-faced dog tends to display comically brooding expressions and often adapts to city life with aplomb. “They’re interesting little creatures,” said Naneice Bucci, who has owned and displayed them for decades.

The breed has also now become a lightning rod for canine controversy and cultural criticism.

Shortened noses can lead to difficulty breathing, nausea, difficulty exercising and other illnesses – concerns that prompted the Netherlands to ban certain dogs with muzzles considered too short. There were pet store robberies and violent robberies, at least one of which was fatal. A surge in the number of French dogs with unusual coat colors and textures has sparked debate among the French people over long-standing standards.

Longtime breeders worry that the booming puppy market is fueling greed rather than breed.

For Butch, “It was a very scary moment.”

As a “conservation breeder” who follows AKC standards and undergoes a series of internationally recommended health tests before breeding her dogs, she worries that breeders who don’t do this could lead to a crackdown on everyone. As the founder of French Bulldog Rescue in Nevada, she also sees “all the weaknesses in people who breed indiscriminately.”

“Every time we adopt a Frenchie that’s in really bad condition, I get angry,” said Butch, who lives near Reno. “But at the same time, I don’t want to be punished for trying to do the right thing.”

Dachshund returns

Among other breeds, the lowly dachshund topped the list at sixth place, its highest ranking since 2004. Between the 1950s and 1970s, these dogs sometimes ranked as high as third.

Their liveliness, small size and determination – they were originally bred to wake up badgers – endear them to many. They also have large bark and a tendency to be stubborn.

“Even though they’re small, people have to remember: They’re hounds,” said Carole Krivanich of Milton, Del., of her nearly 15-year-old dachshund Mo. Mo) is an agility and performance champion. As a long-time Rottweiler owner, she found dachshunds to be “very versatile” and make great companions.

Popular courses

The Cane Corso (pronounced CAH’-neh COOR’-soh) currently ranks No. 16 in the rankings, which is remarkable for a breed that the AKC first started counting in 2010. (Maybe it helps that its owners include figures like NBA superstar LeBron James and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.)

These dogs are praised for their protective, trainable, and attachment qualities. But AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter Munden said the strong breed is “not suitable for people who don’t know how to control a dog.”

Who is new?

bracco Italiano debuted at number 152 on the most popular list. But this large, long-eared bird hunter isn’t entirely unknown. Country music superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill took to social media to share their bracchi Italiani (that’s the correct plural) antics. Last year, a Braco that McGraw co-owned won the first round of “Best of Breed” at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Who is less?

In last year’s registration, Slogi was the rarest. The somewhat shy dog, sometimes called an Arabian Greyhound, joined the AKC ranks in 2016.

give me shelter

Although dogs ranging from affenpinscher to Xoloitzcuintlis were fostered last year, America’s animal shelters are already overrun with dogs and cats. Shelters and rescue groups adopt out about 3.2 million dogs, while 2.2 million dogs are adopted, according to Shelter Animals Count, a nonprofit organization that collects shelter data.

“There needs to be a renewed effort to make adoption a community priority,” said Stephanie Filer, the organization’s executive director. She noted that shelters offer a variety of dogs, including specific breeds.

Hunter Munden, a spokesman for the AKC, owns two rescue dogs and one purebred dog.

“The rescue was amazing,” she said. “However, we do understand that when it comes to owning a dog, people want specific characteristics that suit their lifestyle, and that’s where purebred dogs come in.”