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Beloved and debated, French bulldog becomes top U.S. dog breed

Mathew, a French bulldog, wins the top prize in his breed group at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Mathew, a French bulldog, wins the top prize in his breed group at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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For the first time in three decades, the U.S. has a new favorite dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.

Adorable in some eyes, deplorable in others, the sturdy, push-faced, perky-eared, world-weary-looking and distinctively droll French bulldog became the nation鈥檚 most prevalent purebred dog last year, the club announced Wednesday. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years.

Why? 鈥淭hey鈥檙e comical, friendly, loving little dogs,鈥 says French Bull Dog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa. City-friendly, with modest grooming and exercise needs, she says, 鈥渢hey offer a lot in a small package.鈥

Yet the Frenchie鈥檚 dizzying rise 鈥 it wasn鈥檛 even a top-75 breed a quarter-century ago 鈥 worries its fans, to say nothing of its critics.

The buzzy little bulldogs have been targeted in thefts, including last month鈥檚 fatal shooting of a 76-year-old South Carolina breeder and the 2021 shooting of a California dog walker who was squiring singer Lady Gaga鈥檚 pets.

There鈥檚 concern that demand, plus the premium that some buyers will pay for 鈥渆xotic鈥 coat colors and textures, is engendering quick-buck breeders and unhealthy dogs. The breed鈥檚 popularity is sharpening debate over whether there鈥檚 anything healthy about propagating dogs prone to breathing, spinal, eye, and skin conditions.

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