In New Jersey, we love our dogs. We pamper them and treat them like a part of our family. But did you know there is a new favorite dog out there this year?
The French Bulldog achieved the top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) ranking of the most popular dog breeds in 2022, ending the Labrador Retriever’s 31-year dominance. The AKC, the world’s largest purebred dog registry, revealed the French Bulldog’s ascent from the No. 14 position in 2012 to No. 1 in 2022, with a more than 1,000% increase in registrations.
The AKC first recognized the French Bulldog in 1898. Known for their compact size and adaptable nature, they are a popular choice for various lifestyles, including apartment living.
Other breeds in the top five for 2022 include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, and Poodle. Notable movements in the rankings also saw the Rottweiler and Dachshund advancing to No. 7 and No. 9, respectively.
Breeds like the American Hairless Terrier and Italian Greyhound also experienced significant jumps in popularity. The Mudi and Russian Toy, new entrants to the AKC, debuted at No. 150 and No. 144. In contrast, the Sloughi, Norwegian Lundehund, and English Foxhound remained at the bottom of the list.
The AKC, founded in 1884, recognizes 200 breeds and maintains stringent standards to support dog welfare. The organization also contributes to canine health research and disaster relief efforts.