All dogs are pretty great, they make great companions, from sitting on laps to guarding property, guiding the blind, and rescuing the endangered, they serve us well.
You may have heard the news about the French bulldog toppling the Labrador retriever off its podium as the American Kennel Club’s most popular purebred dog.
The cute but solid little “Frenchies,” with their celebrity Instagram accounts, have outnumbered the Labrador retriever based on AKC registration statistics for 2022. We’ve seen the little dogs in “Modern Family,” and they’re popular with celebrities including Martha Stewart, Reese Witherspoon and Lady Gaga.
Sure, French bulldogs are cute, they’re small, and they’re playful, smart and adaptable, according to the AKC. Everyone is their best friend, they’re good with kids, they’re not yappers and they’re only medium droolers.
But face it: A French bulldog will never fetch you a dead duck from an icy cold lake at the break of dawn.
French bulldogs don’t serve as ‘bat dogs’ for a minor league baseball team.
They don’t have webbed paws that act as snowshoes in winter.
There are good reasons the Labrador has reigned for over 30 years as the AKC’s most popular breed. Thanks to its mild temperament, the Labrador will likely most graciously concede its position to the Frenchie without complaint.
Their loyalty, calm demeanor, memory and intelligence make Labradors one of the top breeds to serve as guides for the blind, and they will willingly put themselves between their handler and a speeding car.
Labradors were the family pets on “Downton Abbey.” Ernest Hemingway and Queen Elizabeth had Labs, so did a number of presidents, prime ministers, musicians and other celebrities, according to Country Life.
Clifford the Big Red Dog was a Labrador, Old Yeller was played by a Lab mix, and H.Brian Griffin of “Family Guy” is a Labrador. And don’t forget “Marley and Me.”
A black Labrador named Jake became a national hero after burrowing through the debris in search of survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. He also later helped search for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005.
One of the most famous of this breed was Endal, a Labrador in England, who was known as “the most decorated dog in the world” for his work as a service dog and as an ambassador for service dog charity.
A Labrador once threw up in the British House of Commons during a Parliamentary speech.
A Labrador can hold an egg in its mouth without breaking it.
They can open refrigerators.
They come in chocolate.
We’re not knocking the French bulldog. Just a nod to the long reign of the Labrador, and to all of these other great dogs: Here are the 30 most popular dog breeds, according to the AKC.
The Most Popular Dog Breeds
1. French Bulldogs
Non-sporting groupWeight: under 28 poundsPlayful, smart, adaptable
We’ve seen these dogs in “Modern Family,” and “Titanic,” and they’re popular with celebrities including Martha Stewart, Reese Witherspoon and Lady Gaga.
2. Labrador Retrievers
Sporting groupWeight: 65-80 pounds (male) 55-70 pounds (female)Active, friendly, outgoing
Clifford the big red dog was a lab, a lab starred in one version of Old Yeller, H.Brian Griffin in “Family Guy” is apparently a Labrador, and don’t forget “The Incredible Journey” and “Marley and Me.”
3. Golden Retrievers
Sporting groupWeight: 55-75 poundsIntelligent, friendly, devoted
4. German Shepherd Dogs
Herding groupWeight: 50-90 poundsCourageous, confident, smart
5. Poodles (Toy, Miniature, Standard)
Toy group and Non-sporting groupWeight: 4-6 pounds for toys, 10-15 pounds for miniatures, and 40-70 pounds for Standard poodlesIntelligent, agile, self-confident, active, proud, and very smart
6. Bulldogs
Non-sporting groupWeight: 40-50 poundsFriendly, courageous, calm
7. Rottweilers
Working groupWeight: 80-135Loyal, loving, confident guardian
8. Beagles
Hound groupWeight 20-30 poundsCurious, friendly, merry
9. Dachshunds
Hound groupWeight: 11-32 pounds 9(there are standards and miniatures)Curious, friendly, spunky
10. German Shorthaired Pointers
Sporting groupWeight: 45-70 poundsFriendly, smart, willing to please
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Herding groupWeight: up to 28-30 poundsAlert, affectionate, smart
12. Australian Shepherds
Herding groupWeight: 40-65 poundsSmart, work-oriented, exuberant
13. Yorkshire Terriers
Toy groupWeight: 7 poundsAffectionate, sprightly, tomboyish
14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Toy groupWeight: 13-18 poundsAffectionate, gentle, graceful
15. Doberman Pinschers
Working groupWeight: 60-100 poundsAlert, loyal, fearless
16. Boxers
Working groupWeight: 65-80 pounds (males)Active, bright, fun-loving
17. Miniature Schnauzers
Terrier groupWeight: 11-20 poundsFriendly, smart, obedient
18. Cane Corsi
Working groupWeight: 90-110 poundsIntelligent, affectionate, majestic
19. Great Danes
Working groupWeight: 140-175 pounds (males) 110-140 (females)Friendly, patient, dependable
20. Shih Tzu
Toy groupWeight: 9-16 poundsPlayful, affectionate, outgoing
21. Siberian Huskies
Working groupWeight: 35-60 poundsLoyal, outgoing, mischievous
22. Bernese Mountain Dogs
Working groupWeight: 70-95 pounds (female) 80-115 (male)Good-natured, calm, strong
23. Pomeranians
Toy groupWeight: 3-7 poundsInquisitive, lively, bold
24. Boston Terriers
Non-sporting groupWeight: 12-25 poundsFriendly, bright, amusing
25. Havanese
Toy groupWeight: 7-13 poundsIntelligent, outgoing, funny
26. English Springer Spaniels
Sporting groupWeight: 40-50 poundsFriendly, playful, obedient
27. Shetland Sheepdogs
Herding groupWeight: 15-25 poundsPlayful, energetic, bright
28. Brittanys
Sporting groupWeight: 30-40 poundsBright, fun-loving, upbeat
29. Cocker Spaniels
Sporting groupWeight: 20-30 poundsSmart, happy, gentle
30. Border Collies
Herding groupWeight: 30-55 poundsEnergetic, affectionate, smart
Weights and descriptions are from the AKC.
