There’s a new top dog!
The American Kennel Club has revealed some dog house-shaking news. For the first time in 31 years, the Labrador Retriever is not the country’s most popular dog breed. The most popular dog has climbed up the list from being number 14 in 2012 to slowly working its way up to the top. After landing at number 2 in 2021, the French Bulldog is the number one breed in America.
The AKC says, “The Frenchie is a smart, compact breed, and they can fit into various different lifestyles, perfect for people all across the country. This petite dog was first recognized by the AKC in 1898; they are beloved by everyone from families to single owners for their charming and adaptable nature. They have surged in popularity in cities across the country since their small size and generally quiet demeanor make them good fits for apartments and smaller homes.” The AKC was founded in 1884 and ranks 200 breeds.
Yes, you are correct if you guessed that Treeing Walker Coonhounds came in at 159 on the list.
My favorite came in at 8, here’s the top ten…
10. German Shorthaired Pointers
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 17: Westminster Kennel Club’s Best In Show C.J. the German shorthaired pointer and Handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson Visit The Empire State Building on February 17, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic)
9. Dachshunds
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: A Dachshund miniature strides across the judging ring on day three of Crufts at the NEC Arena on March 11, 2023 in Birmingham, England. Billed as the greatest dog show in the world, the Kennel Club event sees dogs from across the world competing for the coveted Best in Show. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
8. Beagles
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – 2023/03/11: Beagle judging on the third day of Crufts. Known as one of the greatest dog shows around the world Crufts returns to Birmingham, central England, in 2023. The four day international dog show is held annually in the National Exhibition Centre of Birmingham. (Photo by Jasmine Leung/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
7. Rottweilers
27 October 2019, Germany (German), Rottweil: Two Rottweilers will be guided through the city centre during the Great Rottweiler Meeting under the motto “Strong together for our dogs”. The aim of the organizers is to draw attention to the so-called breed lists and to improve the bad image of the Rottweilers. Photo: Ralf Graner/dpa (Photo by Ralf Graner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
6. Bulldogs
THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA — 2022 — Pictured: 2022 National Dog Show Best In Show Winner, French Bulldog named “Winston” — (Photo by: Bill McCay/NBC via Getty Images)
5. Poodles
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Mikey the Standard Poodle attends the Crufts Dog Show 2023 at NEC Arena on March 12, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)
4. German Shepherd Dogs
ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE – NOVEMBER 30, 2022 – A woman holds a German Shepherd by the leash as she queues for one of the free pizzas baked by foreign volunteers for people displaced by Russia’s war against Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine. (Photo credit should read Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
3. Golden Retrievers
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: A Golden Retriever and his owner wait for the judging on day 1 of CRUFTS Dog Show at NEC Arena on March 9, 2023 in Birmingham, England. Billed as the greatest dog show in the world, the Kennel Club event sees dogs from across the world competing for Best in Show. (Photo by Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)
2. Labrador Retrievers
Wayne (left) and Lily Bellamy (right), 11, from Swansea, with Labrador Retriever ‘Beauty’, one of the finalists for the prestigious Crufts canine hero award, at a launch event in Green Park, London, for Crufts 2023 and The Kennel Club’s Hero Dog Award. Picture date: Wednesday February 22, 2023. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
1. French Bulldogs
THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA — 2022 — Pictured: 2022 National Dog Show Best In Show Winner, French Bulldog named “Winston” — (Photo by: Bill McCay/NBC via Getty Images)