The U.S. still has a major case of French bulldog fever, but a very different breed is staunchly chasing dog lovers' hearts, according to American Kennel Club statistics.
For the third year in a row, the comical, controversial Frenchie topped the club's annual rundown of the nation's most prevalent purebred dogs.
Frenchies are followed by Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds, poodles and some other longtime faves. (Rounding out the top 10: dachshunds, beagles, Rottweilers, bulldogs and German shorthaired pointers.)
Four dachshunds wait in a basket of a breeder at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany.
Yet keep an eye on the cane corso. The powerful, protective breed vaulted from nearly 50th to 14th in the rankings in just a decade.
Popularity is seen as a mixed blessing among dog breeders and as an outright scourge by their critics. Some animal-welfare activists say the American Kennel Club rankings drive fads that fuel puppy mills. The nonprofit club says the list documents, not promotes, dog-ownership trends, and it notes that it conducts thousands of breeder and pet-store inspections per year.
Amid the arguments, there's no disputing that there are plenty of lovable dogs in the nation's animal shelters.
Here's a look at the trends and what they mean.
A French bulldog plays with a toy during breed group judging at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club dog show in May at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
The Frenchie phenomenon
The American Kennel Club ranking reflects purebreds, mostly puppies, that were added last year to the nation's oldest dog registry. Nearly 74,500 were Frenchies.
That's down from 98,500 in 2023 and 108,000 in 2022, but the American Kennel Club isn't saying that the wave has crested. Registration is voluntary, and spokesperson Brandi Hunter Munden notes that the numbers can fluctuate from year to year.
The small, pointy-eared bulldog breed with a big personality is still way ahead of the once-dominant Lab, which logged 58,500 new registrations last year.
French bulldogs have existed in the U.S. since at least the 19th century, but they've been on a tear in the 21st, fueled partly by celebrity owners and social media.
"They are fabulous companions," the American Kennel Club's Gina DiNardo said.
Frenchie folk praise the dogs' modest grooming and exercise needs, their generally confident and friendly demeanor, and, of course, those smushy mugs that fans find irresistible but critics call irresponsible. There can be health problems associated with squished faces and other features, and both detractors and devotees lament that the breed has become too hyped for its own good, attracting unprincipled breeders, unprepared owners and sometimes violent thieves.
A cane corso competes at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show in February 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The can-do cane corso
If a Frenchie is sometimes described as "a clown in the cloak of a philosopher," a cane corso is a protector with no use for a cloak.
Big, strong and athletic, the cane corso (pronounced KAH'-neh KOHR'-so) served as a Roman war dog and later a farmer's helper, boar hunter and household guardian.
Today's cane corsi (the proper plural) are prized as loyal, rather august companions and adept dog-sports competitors. But breeders worry that social media is spreading misconceptions about the dogs, which they say are not suitable for everyone.
Breeder Vickie Venzen insists that would-be puppy buyers visit her Maryland home, where she introduces them first to an outgoing, easygoing corso and explains that such a temperament isn't standard for the breed.
Then she will bring out a corso with a classic and desirable demeanor: likely to greet an invited visitor peacefully but without tail-wagging effusiveness. After its greeting, the dog may walk off and watch with cool vigilance.
Next comes one of her "hard dogs": one that's a bit too quick to display its protective instincts.
The point is to show the spectrum of corsi temperaments and make clear that they're neither lapdogs that just look tough nor rough-and-tumble creatures that can be left outside to guard. They're very sensitive to their families, Venzen said.
"They're very good dogs, and they're very versatile, and they can be taught a lot," said Venzen, who was delighted to learn recently that a dog she bred mastered paddleboarding. "But you can't be so foolish as to think you can put it in any situation and the dog will understand."
New dogs
The newest breed to be counted, the Lancashire heeler, came in at 189th out of the club's 201 recognized breeds last year.
The next-newest, the bracco Italiano, sprang last year from 152nd to 132nd, and some longtime aficionados already are concerned about its trajectory, said owner Deb Pereira of North Stonington, Connecticut. She stresses that the substantial, handsome and sociable hunting dogs need a good deal of physical and mental exercise. Quite a few still hunt; Pereira's bracco, Elvira, is an agility champion, and her daily walks cover about 4 miles.
Few dogs
The five rarest breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club are the sloughi, the Norwegian lundehund, the grand basset griffon VendΓ©en, the Bergamasco sheepdog and, at 201st, the English foxhound.
Doodle doings
To date, the American Kennel Club hasn't recognized any sheepadoodles, Havapoos, borgis or other "designer" hybrids. The club said it has gotten some inquiries, but no doodle or other designer-breed fanciers have formally begun the often yearslong process of seeking recognition.
A Labrador retriever weaves through a series of poles during the Westminster Kennel Club's agility competition in New York in February 2020.
And about the everydogs ...
There's no census of everyday mixed-breed dogs in the U.S., but the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates the country has about 90 million dogs β purebreds, designer mixes and others.
After animal shelters cleared out during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and then filled to overflowing, last year's data from advocacy groups Shelter Animals Count and Best Friends Animal Society differ as to whether dog arrivals and adoptions rose or fell and by how much. That's not inexplicable, as the two groups count different sets of organizations.
But both emphasize that purebreds and mixed breeds come up for adoption.
"Really, if you find it in your heart to rescue or adopt a pet, that's the way to go," Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle said.
Despite more dogs finding their forever homes, here's why shelters are experiencing a capacity crisis
Despite more dogs finding their forever homes, here's why shelters are experiencing a capacity crisis
Updated
Of the lucky pups who were adopted last year, it seems more have found their forever homes: The number of dogs surrendered by their owners has decreased by about 4.5% since 2023, according to a 2024 report from Shelter Animals Count.Β
Collecting data from 13,527 animal shelters and rescues in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories, the SAC report also found that the overall dog adoption rate has dipped by about 1% from 2023. However, it's worth noting that when this figure is broken down by the types of organizations, figures can vary: Private shelters reported a 2.6% drop in dog adoptions while government-run organizations saw a more positive 3% increase, for example.
In a different analysis, the Best Friends Animal Society's preliminary 2024 data report also found that government organizations have seen the most adoption success. It reported an even sunnier snapshot that dog adoptions rose overall by 4.7% between December 2023 and November 2024, with a 10.4% increase in dog adoptions among government organizations. The BFAS report collected data from 688 shelters in the U.S.
While some shelters have seen a rise in dog adoption, reports found that organizations across the board have been feeling the strain. The length of stay for dogs at shelters increased, with larger dogs staying the longest at a median of 20 days, compared to 14 days of stay for small dogs, according to SAC data. That means dogs still waiting for new homes of all sizes are staying longer on average in shelters, limiting shelter capacity.
This overcapacity also has a direct impact on animals that must be put down. The BFAS found that the number of dogs euthanized in shelters increased by 5% in 2024. The number of dogs euthanized in shelters is rising, despite more adoptions, because of a nearly 6% increase in dogs taken in, transferred, or returned to shelters. In other words, there are still more dogs coming into shelters than being adopted.Β
To better understand the trends driving the 2 million dog adoptions in 2024, Ollie examined the latest research from BFAS, SAC, and other sources.
What shelters are doing to raise adoption rates
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As Americans spend more time aloneβin what Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called a national "loneliness epidemic" in 2023βmany people find companionship in dogs to help counter isolation. Not only can new furry friends reduce loneliness, but they can also help catalyze a livelier social life by getting owners out of the house and into the dog park. Plus, they make the cutest of conversation starters.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing widespread transition to remote telework increased feelings of isolation, it simultaneously freed up schedules and budgets to welcome new companions. Nearly 1 in 5 American households acquired a cat or dog during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Consumer spending on pets also rose from 2020 to 2022, particularly among higher-income households, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Still, by 2022, a return to the office, rising inflation, and increased veterinary costs put some new pet parents in a pinch, forcing some dog owners to relinquish or rehome their pets in the wake of the pandemic.Β Shelters have been struggling since to deal with strained resources and trying to nudge adoption rates back up.
While overall dog adoptions may see uneven results across different types of shelters (certain types of private shelters have ranged from a -5.8% to 3% change in dog adoption rates, for example) bright spots in the rise can be credited to shelters' proactive efforts to encourage adoptions amid continued capacity concerns, which lead to increased euthanasia rates. Some sheltersβincluding those in Massachusetts and Californiaβwaive certain adoption fees to incentivize prospective owners and relieve overcrowding.
Shelter facilities are not alone in their efforts to increase adoption rates. Rideshare company Lyft and the Philadelphia Eagles football team are among the many brands and organizations that have launched initiatives to encourage dog adoption across the country by offering discounted pet rides and paying for adoption fees, respectively.
Similarly, organizations like BFAS and SAC are raising awareness about the capacity crisis, and the benefits of adoption may have helped Americans become more receptive to dog ownership in general and adoption specifically. For example, according to its report, SAC's data raising awareness of the capacity crisis appeared in 6,149 news features in 2024.
Part of the increase in dog adoptions may be driven by growing awareness of the impact of adoption, considering that within municipal agencies, or government-owned shelters, dog adoptions are up 10.4%, by some measures.
What to consider if you decide to adopt
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Those struck with puppy fever should consider whether their household budget can accommodate a new pet before making the commitment. According to the ASPCA, welcoming a dog into the household can cost about $3,221 in the first year, accounting for one-time expenses such as spay and neuter procedures. After that, dog owners can expect to budget about $1,391 per year, depending on the size and age of the pet.
Additionally, pet owners who travel frequently or have inconsistent work schedules will want to ensure they can afford supplemental care, like daycares or in-home visits, before taking on the time commitment of a dog. While individual needs vary, most dogs should not go longer than six to eight hours without socialization or a bathroom break, according to the American Kennel Club.
Those looking to add to their fur family will want to ensure their current pets are well-socialized before welcoming another dog into the home. Many shelters and adoption agencies allow owners to bring their pets in to meet the potential new pet to ensure they get along.
Another consideration is where to get a dog. In terms of affecting positive change and mitigating the capacity crisis, adoption leads the pack over purchasing from a breeder, according to the BFAS. The group says if just 6% of the 7 million prospective pet owners chose to adopt rather than buy from a breeder, there would be no more needless euthanasia in the nation's sheltersβsaving upward of 420,000 canine lives.
Additional editing by Alizah Salario. Story editing by Chris Compendio. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
