According to the America Kennel (AKC), the United States has a new favorite breed of dog for the first time in 30 years. Move over Labrador Retrievers, there is a new rock star on the stage! Welcome the French Bull Dog (Frenchie to their friends) to the spotlight!
Which breeds made the top five favorite dog breeds?
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Poodle
How did this droll little dog breed beat out one that had held the title for generations?
According to Patty Sosa, the spokeswoman for the French Bull Dog Club, “They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,. City-friendly, with modest grooming and exercise needs”, she says, “they offer a lot in a small package.”
Are there any concerns over why the French Bull Dog breed is now so popular?
Simply put, yes. Both fans of the breed and its critics have some concerns. You may have read about the shooting death of an elderly breeder from South Carolina as well as the dog walker in California as they exercised Lady Gaga’s pets. The dogs themselves have been stolen in several states.
The increased demand for this breed is enticing unethical breeders wishing to make a quick buck to produce unhealthy dogs. There was already a huge, ongoing debate about breeding dogs with a documented problems with breathing, skin and eye conditions as well as difficulties with their spines. Now premiums are being paid for coat textures or colors that are considered “exotic”. Breeding problems associated with flatter faced dogs have long been documented as well.
What do other countries think of French Bull Dogs as a breed?
Both the British Veterinary Association and the Netherlands have taken strong measures to minimize the numbers of this this breed in their countries. In Britain, the vets discourage people from purchasing any of the flat-faced breeds, such as the French Bull Dog. Breeding any of the very “short snout” dogs is prohibited in the Netherlands. Their Agriculture Minister actually intends to outlaw ownership of the the Breed!
Do American veterinarians have similar opinions about this breed?
Dr. Carrie Stefaniak is located in Glendale, Wisconsin. This veterinarian is a member of the Frenchie club’s health committee. She is also the owner of two Frenchies and has worked hard to condition them. They are able to run agility courses and run up and down hills without difficulty.
But, she has also treated French bulldogs with breathing problems. Further, she counsels would-be Frenchie owners to:
- Research breeders carefully
- Insist on health testing of any dog they are thinking about purchasing
- Understand how often these known health problems occur and how expensive they are to treat
“These dogs can be very fit, can be very active,” Stefaniak said. “They don’t have to be sedentary dogs that can’t breathe.” But, we all do need to keep in mind that this problems are a very real possibility. Once you are attached to a Frenchie, it is very painful to watch them suffer and vet bills can run quite high to alleviate their discomfort or downright pain.
How are the winners chosen each year?
Data are taken from the AKC’s popularity rankings. This list covers at approximately 200 breeds listed in the nation’s oldest canine registry. The stats are based on newly registered dogs each year. Last year, nearly 716,500 puppies and other dogs were registered and about 1 in every 7 of these newly registered dogs was a French Bull Dog. Registration is not mandatory. (Trivia fact: the least registered was the English Foxhound)
At this time, mixed breed (regardless of how popular they are) are not included in the rankings. These so-called designer hybrid breeds such as Labradoodles, Morkies, Puggles, Goldendoodles and Bichonpoos are all as controversial as they are loved. Even the creator of the Labradoodles says he regrets having done so because of the many health problems to which they are prone. https://happymutt.org/why-was-the-labradoodle-created/
A little history of the French Bull Dog in America
French Bull Dogs originated in England and then became popular in France (see link at the bottom of the page for more on this). Frenchies did not become chic among the American elite class until around the turn of the 20th century. This favor did not last long and they then quickly faded from favor.
Their popularity changed just as rapidly in this century when social media became prevalent. Celebrity owners such as actor Leonardo di Caprio, American Rapper, Megan Thee Stallion and U.S. Rep. Alexandria’s ownership of the breed increased their popularity.
When American audiences watching the televised Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show saw a Frenchie take Second Place their popularity really took off! After the same dog won the the National Dog Show (hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia) there was no stopping the popularity growth for this breed. In 2022, Frenchies had over 21,000 more dogs registered than did the Labrador breed. The French Bull Dogs registered numbered approximately 108,000 dogs.
Naysayers are also speaking up in America
Both a veterinarian and a longtime breeder, Dr. Lori Hunt sees Frenchies as a two-edged sword. She labels the as an ideal companion. However, she just as strongly thinks that their current popularity is “a curse, not a blessing.”Some other breeds are prone to ailments ranging from hip dysplasia to cancers, and mixed-breed dogs also can get sick.”
Dr. Hunt has seen many of the breed with health problems but her own Frenchies are healthy and perform quite well in agility type activities. She believes that they are basically healthy dogs who are not all inherently inclined to have to the problems for which they are known to sometimes exhibit.
However, there is research recently published in Britain that involved approximately 24,600 dogs that contradicted that point of view. The results of that research indicates that French Bull Dogs have “very different, and largely much poorer” health as compared to other breeds.
This statement is based largely on the Frenchie’s “foreshortened, wrinkly face that encapsulates the breed’s je ne sais quoi.” Keeping this information in mind. the British Veterinary Association “strongly recommends” against the purchase of any flat-faced dogs. Furthermore, they are also campaigning to remove photos of them from both greeting cards and ads.
What do the American Veterinary Medical Association and animal rights activists have to say about French Bull Dogs?
“The American Veterinary Medical Association is exploring ways to improve flat-faced dogs’ welfare”, according to President Dr. Lori Teller. Animal rights and welfare activists believe that the current French bulldog frenzy enhances the problems with dog breeding in general.
“A lot of the breed characteristics that are bred into these dogs, they’re for looks, not necessarily health and welfare, and Frenchies are probably one of the most exaggerated examples of that,” said Dr. Lorna Grande of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, (This is a professional group affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States).”It is a welfare issue. These dogs are suffering,” continues Dr. Grande.
Since 1990, the AKC associated Canine Health Foundation has donated $67 million for research and education. This research has been of benefit to many breeds. Both the AKC and Frenchie clubs are pleased with the improvements thus far. An example of this is a new breathing test which first made its appearance in January at U.S. dog shows. The first breeds to experience this test were Frenchies, Pugs and Bulldogs.
If you are planning to by a dog, these are a few absolute necessities
At a very minimum, a prospective purebred owner should do the following:
- explore breeders’ history and health testing,
- accept waiting for a puppy,
- and ask themselves whether they’re prepared for the responsibility that comes with owning a dog
- take an assessment of your lifestyle to make sure that you’re really making the best decision
https://happymutt.org/can-you-afford-to-own-a-dog/
If you are interested in the racy past of the French Bull Dog breed, check out this article from the AKC:
From Brothels to Royals: The Complicated Past of The French Bulldog
Would you like to see the entire list of breeds in the order they ranked in 2022?
Thanks to: JENNIFER PELTZ | Associated Press Wed, March 15th 2023