The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently revealed the most popular dog breeds in each major U.S. city, including Dallas, Texas.
According to the study, the most popular pooch for Dallas residents in 2023 was the French bulldog.
The second most popular breed in DFW was the golden retriever, followed by another fan favorite the labrador retriever. Coming in next on the list was the bulldog, and the fifth most popualr breed was the German shepherd.
But the French bulldog dominated in popularity across the country. The breed retained its position as the top dog breed in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. This marks a shift from the labrador retriever, which had held the number one spot for an impressive 31 years until 2022.
Over the past decade, the French bulldog surged in popularity, ascending to the number one position. In 2012, it was ranked 14th, but registrations have since soared by over 1,000%, propelling this lively breed to the pinnacle. In 2021, French bulldogs occupied the second spot before claiming the top position.
“The Frenchie is a smart, compact breed, and they can fit into various different lifestyles, perfect for people all across the country,” the AKC said in 2022. “This petite dog was first recognized by the AKC in 1898; they are beloved by everyone from families to single owners for their charming and adaptable nature.”
Occupying the bottom positions in the U.S. are the Sloughi, Norwegian lundehund and English foxhound. In the previous year, the Norwegian Lundehund was at the lowest rank, but it has since overtaken English foxhounds in registrations.
The AKC stands as the sole purebred dog registry in the U.S. committed to conducting systematic inspections and investigations. Each year, the AKC carries out thousands of inspections to uphold standards that safeguard the welfare, safety and well-being of dogs nationwide.