French Bulldogs: America's New Champion

The French Bulldog just won America's most popular dog breed title for the fourth year running, officially ending the Labrador Retriever's legendary 31-year reign at the top. If that sounds like a long grudge match, that's because it basically is.

This guide covers how the rankings actually shifted, which breeds made the biggest jumps this year, and the personality traits behind why people can't get enough of these dogs.

In this article

• Quick facts ↓
• How the Frenchie dethroned a 31-year champion ↓
• What makes the top breeds so popular ↓
• Which breeds made the biggest jumps ↓
• FAQ ↓

Quick Facts

How Did the Frenchie Dethrone a 31-Year Champion?

For 31 straight years, the Labrador Retriever was America's dog, full stop. Then in 2022, the French Bulldog finally caught up. It wasn't sudden, either. Frenchies were sitting at #14 back in 2012, cracked the top three by 2021, and then quietly walked off with the crown the very next year. That's not an overnight upset, that's a decade-long plan executed to perfection. Somebody give this breed a strategy consultant.

Part of the appeal is simple math. Frenchies are compact, don't need a backyard the size of a small ranch, and thrive in apartments, which matters a lot when more people are living in cities than ever before. Add in a wave of celebrity owners and you get a breed that went from afterthought to icon in about a decade. Read more: akc.org ↗

What Makes These Breeds So Popular?

French Bulldog: the low-maintenance icon

Bat ears, a compact frame, and a laid-back personality that fits apartment life without complaint. Frenchies don't need marathon exercise sessions, which makes them a fit for people who love dogs but don't necessarily love 6 AM runs.

Labrador Retriever: the reason "good boy" exists

Family-friendly, easy to train, and built with an even temperament that made it the default American dog for three decades. Labs are the breed every other breed gets compared to, for good reason.

Golden Retriever: the golden standard, literally

Consistently ranked in the top three for its combination of trainability and genuine warmth toward kids. If a Golden could talk, it would probably just keep saying "I love everyone here," on repeat.

Which Breeds Made the Biggest Jumps?

The Dachshund finally cracked the top five

Originally bred as independent badger hunters, Dachshunds are small, stubborn, and clearly done waiting their turn. They pushed the Poodle out of the top five entirely this year, moving from #6 to #5. Small dog, big ambition.

Why did the Poodle drop out?

The Poodle didn't get worse, it just got passed. Rankings are relative, and a strong year for one breed can bump another out of a fixed top-five slot without that breed actually losing popularity.

The biggest surprise risers of the year

A few breeds jumped double digits in a single year, which is a genuinely large move in a system with 201 recognized breeds.

Cane Corso

Up 414% in a decade, from #47 in 2014 to #14 in 2024. No breed in the top 20 has climbed faster over a sustained stretch.

Kerry Blue Terrier

An Irish breed that climbed 25 spots in a previous year's rankings, from #160 to #135, likely helped by growing interest in presumed-hypoallergenic breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular dog breed in America right now?

The French Bulldog, for the fourth year in a row, based on the AKC's most recent annual registration statistics.

How long did the Labrador Retriever hold the #1 spot?

31 consecutive years, one of the longest reigns of any breed in AKC ranking history, before the French Bulldog took over in 2022.

Why did the Dachshund crack the top five this year?

It moved up from #6 to #5, pushing the Poodle out of the top five entirely. The AKC bases these rankings purely on annual registration numbers, not a popularity vote.

Are French Bulldogs actually a healthy breed?

It's a genuinely mixed picture, even among owners. A University of Copenhagen study of Frenchie owners found 56% believe the breed is less healthy than others overall, yet 64% of those same owners consider their own dog healthier than the average French Bulldog. The breed's short skull can cause Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), and New Hampshire has even considered legislation limiting breeding of dogs with chronic breathing problems.

How many dog breeds does the AKC recognize?

201 breeds, with additional breeds working toward recognition through the AKC's Foundation Stock Service and Miscellaneous Class each year.

Where can you get dog breed decor like this for a desk?

X2Metal offers dozens of breed-specific designs printed on glossy ChromaLuxe metal and sized for a desk, with matching 5mm mouse pads. Browse the Dogs collection. Everything is handcrafted in North Liberty, Iowa.

About the author: Business Alchemist | Turning Ideas into Products, Brands & Businesses | Navid Malik. Navid is the founder of X2Metal, a metal print studio in North Liberty, Iowa creating bold, durable metal prints and 5mm mouse pads.

Sources: American Kennel Club ↗, TODAY.com ↗, and Frontiers in Veterinary Science ↗. X2Metal is not affiliated with any organization mentioned in this post.

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