After an impressive 31-year reign, the Labrador Retriever has finally relinquished its position as America’s most popular dog breed. Instead, taking the spotlight in 2022 is the lovable French Bulldog, which has risen to claim the coveted No. 1 spot.

This marks the first time the French Bulldog has secured the top rank on the American Kennel Club’s prestigious list of most popular breeds. Over the past decade, this endearing breed has been steadily gaining popularity. In 2012, it held the modest No. 14 position, but registrations for French Bulldogs skyrocketed by over 1,000% in subsequent years. This remarkable surge propelled them to the No. 2 spot in 2021, and finally, they clinched the title of America’s favorite breed last year.

Enthusiasts of the French Bulldog, including our two devoted resident owners, have eagerly shared their adoration for this remarkable breed:

“French Bulldogs are one of the cutest dogs known to man. They are small, cuddly, and have a unique personality that stands out from other dog breeds. Frenchie’s are loyal, affectionate, and love to play, making them the perfect family pet. Their cute little faces and floppy ears make them impossible to resist, and their snuggly character makes them the ultimate cuddle buddy. Overall, French Bulldogs are the best dogs ever!”
-Tierney Z

“Frenchies are natural charmers with their fun and affectionate nature. They actively solicit human attention, making them very easygoing, comical, and wonderful family pets!”
– Hailey A

While the French Bulldog has claimed the top position, the American Kennel Club reports that the rest of the list of popular breeds remains relatively unchanged from previous years.

Following closely behind the French Bulldog are:

• 2. Labrador Retriever
• 3. Golden Retriever
• 4. German Shepherd Dogs
• 5. Poodle

Notable movements include Rottweilers climbing from number 8 to number 7 and Dachshunds displacing German Shorthaired Pointers to secure the number 10 spot. Several other breeds, such as the American Hairless Terrier, Gordon Setter, Italian Greyhound, and Anatolian Shepherd, have also experienced a surge in popularity over the past year.

On the other end of the spectrum, occupying spots 197-199, are the lesser-known breeds, including the Sloughi, Norwegian Lundehund, and English Foxhound.

The American Kennel Club determines its annual list of popular dog breeds based on registrations from its members. As the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs, the organization utilizes registration statistics to rank the species that have enjoyed the highest demand in the past year. However, unregistered breeds abound in the United States, so there’s a possibility these numbers are only partially accurate to the most popular breeds. Still, as far as traceable numbers go, this is the best we’ve got.

For those considering adding one of these popular breeds to their family, it’s worth noting that approximately 25%-30% of shelter dogs are purebreds. Therefore, adopting a purebred dog from a shelter is more cost-effective and saves a precious life. In addition, various rescue organizations are dedicated to rehoming specific breeds, such as the French Bulldog Rescue Network, which currently has numerous representatives of this most popular dog breed in the country, eagerly awaiting their forever homes.

advertisement