The French bulldog is stealing hearts and leading the pack in the Bayou City, according to the American Kennel Club. Named the top dog breed nationally, Frenchies are the toast of towns from Miami to Denver. The stats, which came out not too long ago, show this squat-snouted breed topping Houston's most popular dogs by ZIP code.
Yet, with its second consecutive year clinching the top national spot, the Frenchie's reign is not without its bark of controversy. Critics have pointed out that the breed's foreshortened snouts are more than a quirky feature – they pose serious health risks, making breathing and exercise an uphill battle for these pups. Still, nearly 98,500 French bulldogs joined the AKC rosters last year – a slight decline from the 108,000 in 2022, but enough to keep them at the front of the line, reported Click2Houston.
The American Kennel Club's recent rankings have revealed that, following the trendsetting French bulldogs, other breeds like Labs, golden retrievers, German shepherds, and poodles round out the top five. It's a dog-eat-dog world when it comes to popular pooches, and the Labrador Retriever, falling to fourth in Houston and second nationally, has been dethroned after a 31-year stretch at number one, as Houston Chronicle notes. Both Goldens and Labs, said AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo, "are neck and neck," making excellent additions to any family.
Amidst the popularity contest, some seasoned breed enthusiasts are howling in despair. They fear that such high demand for French bulldogs may be driving the wrong type of breeders – those motivated by greed rather than a love for the breed. Longtime fans and preservation breeders worry about the surge in indiscriminate breeding and the possible repercussions it could have on the entire dog breeding community. Naneice Bucci, a French bulldog owner and breeder for decades, expressed her concerns by saying, "It's a very scary time," Click2Houston reported.
While French bulldogs have their snouts stuck in the limelight, other breeds are certainly not rolling over. The dachshund, with its spunky charm and tenacity, has burrowed its way to sixth place, hitting a nearly two-decade high in the rankings. The impressive ascent of the cane corso, now sitting at 16th just a few short years since its AKC recognition, shows the shifting sands of canine popularity. Carole Krivanich, a Delaware-based dachshund owner whose nearly 15-year-old dog Mo is an agility and show champion, highlighted the breed's versatility while acknowledging, "Even though they’re small, people have to remember: They are hounds," as reported by Click2Houston.
Across the board, the AKC rankings only reflect a slice of America's dog population, tracking roughly 200 recognized breeds and leaving out mixed breeds and popular hybrids like doodles. But let's not forget our four-legged friends without papers: last year, U.S. animal shelters were at capacity with a mix of dogs of all shapes, sizes, and lineages. Stephanie Filer, executive director of Shelter Animals Count, emphasized the importance of making adoption a priority, considering the sheer number of dogs waiting for homes.
