American Kennel Club Lists Most Popular Dog Breed for 2023
It's that time of the year again! On March 20, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the world's largest registry for purebred pups, announced the most popular dog breed for the past year in America.
Can you guess which breed ranks as top dog?
That's right, for the second year in a row the French Bulldog has taken the top spot as the most popular dog breed in America.
The AKC reports, "The French Bulldog’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. You’ve likely seen these bat-eared companions before, and they’re especially popular in cities. Over the last 11 years, the French Bulldog has steadily grown in registration rankings, ranking No. 14 in 2012. In 2021, Frenchies made it to the No. 2 spot, taking over the top spot officially in 2022."
Related: New Favorite Dog Breed in the U.S. Just Beat Out Beloved Labradors
The French Bulldog is a relatively new dog breed that first originated in Paris, France during the mid-nineteenth century. Originally developed in the 1800s for companionship and lapdog purposes, early breeders successfully created this particular canine through the selective breeding of Toy Bulldogs (imported from England) and local ratting breeds. So what makes these little lovable dogs so popular?
Is a French Bulldog Right For Your Family?
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French Bulldogs are known for their distinctive and adorable appearance. They have large bat-like ears, big expressive eyes, and compact, muscular bodies. They are the perfect size for a lapdog or a cuddle-bunny TV binge-watching companion.
These little dogs are super affectionate and love being around their people, and despite their small size can be protective of their humans and prone to barking at strangers.
French Bulldogs are also natural goof balls, and whether they are getting a big case of the zoomies, or snoring, or making weird yammering noises these dogs are always doing something amusing.
Because they are small, these dogs are great for apartment dwellers. They also don't require a ton of exercise compared to other breeds, so they are well-suited to the more lazy of us who would rather play a short game of fetch than go for a long run. They are also usually good with other dogs, cats and kids. That all depends on each individual dog's personality though!
French Bulldogs don't require a ton of grooming, and they are minimal shedders. They are just an all-around adorable and easy to live with dog with their quirky and lovable personalities, plus, they are a favorite of celebrities like Lady Gaga and Dwayne Johnson, which doesn't hurt their trendiness appeal.
Rounding out the list of the top five, the AKC lists Labrador Retrievers at the number two spot, followed by Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Poodles.
I'm not sure how anyone can pick their own personal favorite, so I will take one of each please!
If you are interested in getting your own French Bulldog, please check with your local animal shelter, rescue or French Bulldog rescue. Your perfect pet may just be waiting for you to take them home from a shelter near you.
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