This beloved dog is still the most popular in the US but a lesser-known breed is climbing the ranks

Pardon my Frenchie.The French Bulldog still has the hearts of dog owners — but another breed is slowly winning people over, according to a report from the American Kennel Club.For the third straight year, the French Bulldog has taken the No.1 spot as the most popular dog breed in the United States.French bulldogs sat at No.

14 back in 2012 and made it to the No.2 spot by 2021.

In 2022, the Frenchie ran off with the most popular title, dethroning the Labrador Retriever, who sat comfortably at No.1 for 31 years before the pups with the signature bat ears came along.Labrador Retrievers came in second this year, followed by Golden Retrievers in third, German Shepherds in fourth and Poodles in fifth.

Frenchies are gaining popularity thanks to their small size and adaptability — which makes them suitable for an apartment lifestyle, according to the AKC.This is perhaps why the French Bulldog took the top spot as the most popular breed in New York City for the 11th year in a row.“The love affair with French Bulldogs in New York City is strong,” AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo, said in a statement.“The playful, adaptable breed makes a great companion for apartment or suburban life, but don’t forget to do research to make sure you find the right breed for your lifestyle.”The Frenchie is known to be playful, alert, affectionate and “completely irresistible.”While the popularity of the Frenchie shows no signs of slowing down, the Cane Corso has been gaining traction since it officially became recognized by the AKC in 2010.According to the AKC, registrations for Cane Corsos increased by 414%, going from the 48th most popular breed in 2014 to No.

14 in 2024.Cane Corsos — whose name roughly translates to “bodyguard dog” in Latin — are known to be intelligent, eager to please, versatile and intensely loyal to their humans — though they are also assertive and willful, the AKC said....