Look out, Labs: French bulldogs 2nd most popular
Could the French bulldog become America’s favorite purebred pooch?
After riding a rocket ship to popularity over the last quarter-century, Frenchies came in second only to Labrador retrievers — the leaders for 30 straight years — in the American Kennel Club’s latest rankings, set to be released today. They reflect the relative numbers of purebreds, mainly puppies, that were added last year to the oldest U.S. dog registry.
Stocky and smushfaced, French bulldogs have their charms — at least in fans’ eyes — but also their limitations.
“They’re not the type of dog to go hiking with you,” AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter says, “but if you want a dog that’s going to snuggle up with you, be cute, be adaptable, minimal grooming... that’s the kind of breed for you.”
A dig into the details:
The top 10
After Labrador retrievers and French bulldogs, the top 10 breeds include German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs, poodles, beagles, Rottweilers and German shorthaired pointers. Dachshunds made the top 10 for the first time since 2013.
Prized as easygoing and can-do dogs, Labs years ago broke the record for the longest number-one run, and they remain most popular by a lot. More than 98,300 Labs joined the AKC’s registry last year, compared to about 66,500 French bulldogs.
German shepherds are enjoying their own form of doggie leadership, however. President Joe Biden’s shepherds, Champ and Major, have been living in the White House, though they were recently sent back to Biden’s Delaware home for a canine cooling-off period after Major injured a Secret Service agent.
The poodle may also make a claim to the topdog crown: A standard poodle named Siba was the most recent winner of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show, held last year.
Breeds on the move include the cane corso, a heavy-duty guard dog that broke into the top 25. It was 51st just a decade ago.
Vive la FreKCHIe
When Labrador retrievers first topped the chart in 1991, French bulldogs ranked a distant 82nd. But Frenchies began to rise in the rankings in the late ’90s, hitting No. 4 by 2017.
Celebrity owners from Martha Stewart to Lady Gaga to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have given the breed exposure. And its compact size, moderate exercise needs, no-fuss coat and rather comic demeanor struck a chord with many dog seekers.
“They are snoring, farting little love machines,” says Nicole Denny, a professional dog handler who has been breeding French bulldogs for 15 years after 20 years with Doberman pinschers.
She sees Frenchies’ popularity surge as “a blessing and a curse.”
French bulldog fanciers need to be aware that the breed can be prone to overheating, breathing difficulties and back problems. Other breeds also are susceptible to various conditions, and mixedbreeds aren’t necessarily free of them, notes the AKC’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Jerry Klein.
“There’s no dog, whether it’s purebred or mixed-breed, that is 100% guaranteed to be completely without problems,” he said.