I read a supplement in the Guardian this weekent that The Kennel Club predict that after 27 years as the UK's top dog breed, the Labrador is set to be overtaken by the French Bulldog by the end of 2018. xx
They're the new fad aren't they. Labradors will take back their rightful place soon once the trend dies down, they're the ultimate dog.
French bull dogs are really delicate health wise too. I know labs have their problems but frenchies are really deformed
Poor little Frenchies. There was a new one in the shelter yesterday here in Spain. When the "it" breed starts showing up dumped into a shelter, you know you're in trouble.
It’s so strange isn’t it? I just can’t understand why someone would deliberately choose a brachycephalic breed. I find it distressing to listen to their snuffled breathing - I can’t see how that is attractive.
They amaze me they are lovely sweet dogs who live lives of misery because of breathing problems. It does not have to be like that
I just looked at the AKC Ratings. In 2016, the French Bulldog was in 6th place behind Labradors, GSDs, Golden Retrievers Bulldogs and Beagles. Maybe it is a Pacific NW thing, but I don't see many French Bulldogs.
When I dipped my toe in the disasterous attempt at agility last Monday there were 6!! 6!! Frenchies there for agility training! You can imagine what that sounded like. They really are a very friendly breed and no barking but the raspy breathing!! And their owners were great with them and some of the Frenchies had a little training and were running through the tunnels and stood on the wobbly board. But it was interesting to see more Frenchies than BC's at agility class. So even in South Africa they are very desirable and very expensive.
Did something specific bring French Bulldogs to every ones attention in the UK? In years past in the US, The TV shows Lassie and RinTinTin made Rough Collies and GSDs very popular for a while. Nixon's Cocker, Checkers appeared to influence Cocker Spaniel popularity and Disney's 101 Dalmations brought a flood of Damnations. Labs have been #1 for more than 25 years, I think mostly for the right reasons, not pop culture.
I think it's just those breeds generally have gotten popular - frenchies, pugs and bulldogs. I think it's an obvious statement to make but this only takes into account KC registered dogs. I think if you were to take into account mixed breeds Labradors would be way ahead, along with Staffies
I think it's the "famous" dogs of Facebook and Instagram that have caused the popularity of Pugs and Frenchies to skyrocket. The only one I know by name is Doug the Pug, but there are quite a few out there whose owners have made a career out of their dog's social media. These dogs have merch, travel the world etc, it's madness.
My dog walker has always had Frenchies, but even she said that she has seen so many recently that she was concerned they were becoming the ‘dog to have’ that would end up in kennels.
In Australia in 2017, Labs were still the most popular breed 1. Labrador Retriever 2. Staffordshire Bull Terrior 3. French Bulldog 4. German Shepherd Dog 5. Border Collie 6. Golden Retriever 7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 8. American Staffordshire Bull Terrior 9. Schnauzer (miniature) 10. Rottweiler http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/australia/what-is-australias-favourite-dog-breed.aspx
I am so embarrased...the most popular breed in South Africa is...the Yorkshire Terrier! http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.za/gallery/sas-most-popular-breed-of-dog/ We have puppy mills that really churn these dogs out and some understandably have dreadful problems.
