(NEXSTAR) — Even though everyone has their favorite (and even least favorite) kinds of pooches, there are some dog breeds that have remained popular across the U.S. for decades. Recently, the American Kennel Club announced its most recent “Most Popular Dog Breeds” list — and once again the U.S. has a clear favorite.
For the third consecutive year, AKC says the French Bulldog was the most popular dog breed in the U.S., based on 2024 registration numbers.
But the AKC looked even further, to determine which breeds were most popular across some of the U.S.’ major cities. These are the dogs that Texans love (based on data for Houston and Dallas, which had identical top five rankings).
5. Poodle
The AKC writes that the standard poodle “stands proudly among dogdom’s aristocrats.” These dogs, which is about 15 inches tall at the shoulder, are noted for being affectionate and good with small children and other dogs. Males typically weigh 60-70 pounds, while females weigh around 40-50. The breed also consists of two smaller sizes, miniature and toy. Poodle life expectancy is about 10-18 years.
4. Bulldog
Bulldogs are noted for being very playful, in addition to good with families and even strangers, according to the AKC. These stout dogs with pushed-in noses and signature saggy jowls typically weigh between 40-50 pounds and stand at 14-15 inches tall. Their life expectancy is 8-10 years.
3. Labrador retriever
Did you know? The Labrador retriever was the most popular dog in the U.S. for 31 years. It was only until 2022 when the French bulldog pulled ahead, bringing an end to this beloved family dog’s reign to an end. AKC notes that labs are extremely friendly, playful, trainable and good with children and other dogs — all of which have made this breed a perennial favorite for parents. Labs weigh between 55-70 pounds (females) and 65-80 (males) and stand up to 24.5 inches tall. Their life expectancy is between 11-13 years.
2. Golden retriever
The golden retriever is another classic family dog. The AKC also notes the golden for its intelligence and work ethic, making them great animals for guide dogs for the blind and as search-and-rescue team members. Golden retrievers weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, depending on their sex, and stand up to 24 inches tall. Their life expectancy is 10-12 years.
1. French bulldog
Finally, you probably already guessed but America’s favorite dog breed overall is also the favorite among Texans. These bat-eared small dogs are a favorite for their kind temperaments and low-barking tendencies — in addition to those scrunchy faces social media can’t get enough of. AKC says French bulldogs generally weigh under 28 pounds and stand at 11-13 inches tall. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.
The flat-faced dog conundrum
Even though breeds like bulldogs and French bulldogs’ flat snouts and/or scrunched faces make them extra cute, these breeds — which were bred to look how they do — very often struggle with breathing issues as a result.
Called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS, the syndrome is noted by Purina as a “a lifelong breathing difficulty caused by their short noses, narrow nostrils and windpipes and soft palette issues.”
Breeds most susceptible to these major breathing diffulties can also be seen in pugs, Pekinese dogs, Boston Terriers, Shih-Tzus, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels/King Charles Spaniels. If you’ve ever heard a pug snorting, BOAS is why.
Back in 2023, Nexstar spoke to UK veterinarian Ben Simpson-Vernon, also known as Ben the Vet, who posts regular pet-related content on TikTok. Simpson-Vernon explained that in addition to breathing issues, brachycephalic breeds’ pelvises are very often too small for their puppies’ heads to fit through — which Simpson-Vernon explains is called “fetopelvic disproportion.”
This means a great majority of these breeds must give birth via C-section, though overall, the presence of birthing issues at all vastly increases risks of death of the mother and/or her puppies.
“The fact that over half of them have to have a cesarean to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want to have one,” he says. “If you’re OK with that, that’s fine. But for me, personally, it’s not very fair.”
Though their health ailments are treatable, the discomfort these animals undergo has raised potential concerns about the ethics of breeding and/or owning flat-faced dogs. It’s a problem Dr. Heidi Phillips, a professor of veterinary clinical medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (and a frequent brachycephalic dog surgeon) hopes can be alleviated over time through breeding and education.
Dr. Phillips added: “My approach is to say let’s apply the science and see if we can still hold on to all the wonderful attributes of these breeds while also trying to eliminate as much as possible the difficulties these animals are experiencing.”
