NEW YORK -- 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.
