The dog world shifted in 2022 as the sweet-faced, loveable Labrador Retriever was toppled as America’s favorite dog breed. The breed best known for having a heart of gold was replaced by the smaller, more urban-friendly French Bulldog. According to the American Kennel Club, for 31 years, the Labrador Retriever was America’s favorite dog until it was eclipsed in 2022 by the Frenchie. The rankings were based on nearly 716,500 dogs newly registered in 2022, of which about 1 in 7 were Frenchies. Around 108,000 French Bulldogs were recorded in the U.S. in 2022, surpassing Labrador Retrievers by over 21,000. How the Frenchie took over America The French Bulldog’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past decade. They were the #14 most popular breed in 2012, and since then, registrations have gone up 1,000%, bringing them to the top of the breed popularity rankings. BREAKING NEWS! There's a new top dog in town! Are you ready to see who cracked the top 10? https://t.co/Ag7s8nyyZH— American Kennel Club (@akcdoglovers) March 15, 2023 The AKC says that the American Hairless Terrier, Gordon Setter, Italian Greyhound and Anatolian Shepherd Dog also grew in popularity between 2021 and 2022. As of 2025, Frenchies are still America’s top dog three years running. The French Bulldog was famous among America’s upper class around the turn of the 20th century but then fell out of favor. Their resurgence is partly based on several celebrities who have gone public with their Frenchie love. Leonardo DiCaprio, Megan Thee Stallion, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Reese Witherspoon and Lady Gaga all own French Bulldogs. The breed earned a lot of attention as show dogs in 2022 when a Frenchie named Winston took second place at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and first in the National Dog Show. Stars love them too The breed made national news in early 2021 when Gaga’s dog walker was shot in the chest while walking two of her Frenchies in a dog heist. He recovered from his injuries, and the dogs were later returned. They’ve also become popular because of their unique look and personalities. “They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,” French BullDog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa told the AP. She said they are city-friendly with modest grooming needs and “they offer a lot in a small package.” They are also popular with people who live in apartments. According to the AKC, Frenchies don’t bark much and do not require a lot of outdoor exercise. The French Bulldog stands out among other breeds because it looks like a miniature bulldog but has large, expressive bat-like ears that are its trademark feature. However, their popularity isn’t without controversy. “French bulldogs can be a polarizing topic,” veterinarian Dr. Carrie Stefaniak told the AP. The downside of having a Frenchie French Bulldogs have been bred to have abnormally large heads, which means that large litters usually need to be delivered by C-section, an expensive procedure that can be dangerous for the mother. They are also prone to multiple health problems, including skin, ear, and eye infections. Their flat face means they often suffer from respiratory problems and heat intolerance, and Frenchies are also more prone to spine deformations and nerve pain as they age. While they’re friendly, they can also be stubborn and may require more training than the average dog. Overall, however, the AKC says that French Bulldogs are good for families with children due to their laid back, social nature and lack of aggression. Here are the AKC’s top ten most popular dog breeds for 2022. 1 French Bulldogs 2 Labrador Retrievers 3 Golden Retrievers 4 German Shepherd Dogs 5 Poodles 6 Bulldogs 7 Rottweilers 8 Beagles 9 Dachshunds 10 German Shorthaired Pointers Part of the reason the 2022 list was so noteworthy was the change at the top, as these lists don’t tend to change much year to year. In fact, the 2025 Most Popular Dog Breed list looks very similar to 2022, with only minor movement. The biggest change was the Dachshund moving up to #5, nudging the Poodle out of the top five for the first time in years. Beagles came in at #6, Rottweilers at #7, German Shepherd Dogs at #8, German Shorthaired Pointers at #9, and Bulldogs at #10. So congratulations, Frenchies for keeping your top dog spot for the fourth year in a row. This article originally appeared three years ago. It has been updated. The post Pass down the crown, Labradors. America has a new favorite dog breed. appeared first on Upworthy.