BREAKING NEWS in the dog world! For the first time in three decades, the Labrador Retriever is NOT America’s number one dog.
The numbers are in. So which breed has been named the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breed of 2022?
America’s #1 Dog Breed For 2022
As the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs, the AKC uses their registration statistics to rank the most popular breeds over the past year. For the first time in history, 2022 found the French Bulldog taking the number one spot. This ends the Labrador Retriever’s 31-year reign in the AKC registry, as the most popular dog breed in America.
The French Bulldog has moved into the number one position after steadily climbing the ranks in popularity over the last ten years, or so.
In 2012, the Frenchie (their ‘pet-name’) was ranked at No. 14. Since then, registrations have increased by over 1,000%, bringing this cute little, playful breed to the top. French Bulldogs were in the No. 2 spot in 2021.
Breaking the Lab’s top-dog status of over three decades is not a small feat.
The Reasons French Bulldogs Take The Top Spot
The Frenchie is a very smart, and compact breed, that can fit into various different lifestyles. Which is what everyone would love in a dog. French Bulldogs were first recognized by the AKC in 1898.
People love Frenchie’s – families to single owners – for their charming and very adaptable nature. They have surged in popularity in cities across the country because their small size, and generally quiet demeanor, make them good fits for apartments and smaller homes.
The French Bulldog is number one for the first time, dethroning the Labrador Retriever, which had been number one for 31 straight years. Before that, it was the Cocker Spaniel.
Cocker Spaniels were extremely popular throughout the 1900’s. They were constantly a part of literature, and art. Of course we all remember “Lady And The Tramp,” which only made the popularity of Cocker Spaniels soar, at that time.
Congratulations to the French Bulldog! Remember though, any dog we bring into our family will be a part of our family for a long time. So make sure they are the right fit so you can love them for the rest of their life. And hopefully, you are going to a local rescue before all else!
Here are the current top ten dog breeds
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, French: Bouledogue Français, is a French breed of companion dog or toy dog. It appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century, apparently the result of cross-breeding of Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local Parisian ratters. Playful, smart, adaptable.
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Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever or simply Labrador is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from fishing dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland, and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. Active, friendly, outgoing.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a Scottish breed of retriever dog of medium size. It is characterized by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is commonly kept as a pet and is among the most frequently registered breeds in several Western countries. Intelligent, friendly, devoted.
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German Shepherd
The German Shepherd or Alsatian is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899. It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. Courageous, confidant, smart.
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Poodle
The Poodle, called the Pudel in German and the Caniche in French, is a breed of water dog. The breed is divided into four varieties based on size, the Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle, although the Medium Poodle is not universally recognized. Active, proud, very smart.
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Bulldog
The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a medium sized, muscular dog of around 40–55 lb. They have large heads with a thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders, and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw. Friendly, courageous, calm.
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Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. Loyal, loving, confidant guardian.
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Beagle
The beagle is a breed of small scent hound, similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle was developed primarily for hunting hare, known as beagling. Curious, friendly, merry.
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Dachshund
The dachshund, also known as the wiener dog, badger dog, and sausage dog, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, and comes in a variety of colors. Curious, friendly, spunky
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium to large sized breed of pointing dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting. A versatile hunting breed, being an all-purpose gun dog suitable for both land and water, they are streamlined yet powerful with strong legs. Friendly, smart, willing to please
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