America’s Favorite Dog Is Still the Frenchie: But This Breed Is a Close Second

Though new registrations dipped slightly from previous years (74,500 in 2024 compared to 98,500 in 2023), the breed remains far ahead of its nearest rival, the Labrador Retriever.

A Quirky Personality

Frenchies are loved for their quirky, social personalities and adaptability to apartment living.

But critics warn the breed’s popularity has led to irresponsible breeding and health issues due to their flat faces and compact builds.

The breed is also a frequent target of pet theft due to its high value.

Despite controversy, the AKC’s Gina DiNardo says Frenchies make “fabulous companions”—just not for every household.

The Rise of the Cane Corso

In contrast to the playful Frenchie, the cane corso is all business. Once Roman war dogs and later farm guardians, cane corsi (the correct plural) are now making waves as powerful yet devoted family protectors.

Big, muscular, and highly intelligent, these dogs are not for the faint of heart.

Maryland breeder Vickie Venzen emphasizes their temperament varies widely, from friendly companions to highly protective “hard dogs.” And while loyal, they require serious socialization and strong leadership.

“They’re not just backyard dogs,” she said. “They’re very sensitive to their families, and you can teach them a lot—but you have to be smart about it.”

Newcomers and Underdogs

The AKC also welcomed a new breed to the list: the Lancashire Heeler, debuting at 189th. The bracco Italiano, introduced a year earlier, jumped from 152nd to 132nd.

Meanwhile, the five rarest breeds remain the sloughi, Norwegian lundehund, grand basset griffon Vendéen, Bergamasco sheepdog, and English foxhound.

No Room for Doodles

Despite their popularity, doodles and other designer mixes like Havapoos and sheepadoodles are still not recognized by the AKC.

While there’s interest, no official recognition process has been initiated for these hybrids.

Don’t Forget Shelter Dogs

With around 90 million dogs living in U.S. homes, many are mixed-breed pets or rescues. Advocacy groups like Best Friends Animal Society urge potential pet owners to adopt, not shop.

“If you find it in your heart to rescue or adopt a pet, that’s the way to go,” said CEO Julie Castle.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.