The American Kennel Club announced its 2024 rankings based on AKC registrations, naming the French Bulldog the nation’s most popular dog for a third consecutive year. The breed topped the club’s nationwide registration totals and was listed as No. 1 in major metropolitan areas including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The AKC’s annual compilation is drawn from registration numbers, and for 2024 the organization published city-by-city breakdowns that highlight local variations in breed popularity across a broad set of U.S. metropolitan areas. Cities named in the AKC release include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington D.C., and West Palm Beach. The full set of lists and the AKC’s methodology are available on the organization’s website.

Registration-based rankings reflect the choices of owners who register their dogs with the AKC and therefore can differ from measures of ownership derived from household surveys or other sampling methods. That distinction helps explain why a breed can lead AKC registrations nationally while local lists show considerable variation; city-level preferences and the types of owners who complete AKC paperwork both shape the results. What factors contribute to the popularity of certain dog breeds in urban areas?

Experts and observers point to several factors that contribute to breed popularity in cities. In urban areas, smaller size, lower exercise needs, and perceived suitability for apartment living make certain breeds more popular, as people believe these dogs require less space and can be housed comfortably even without a yard. Additionally, temperament traits such as friendliness and adaptability also make some breeds particularly attractive to city dwellers. How can potential dog owners choose the right breed for their lifestyle and living space?

Those considerations help account for the French Bulldog’s sustained appeal. The breed’s compact stature and reputation for being companionable in close quarters align with what many urban owners look for. The AKC’s lists show how those general tendencies translate into specific metropolitan rankings, where the French Bulldog and other small- and medium-sized breeds frequently appear at or near the top.

For potential owners weighing options, officials and breed experts say it is important to match a dog’s characteristics to a household’s circumstances. Prospective dog owners should assess factors including household composition (for example, presence of children, elderly residents or other pets), activity level, work schedule, living space (apartment versus house), experience with dogs, and allergies to make an informed choice that fits their lifestyle. What percentage of American households own dogs, and how has this changed over time?

The broader context for these breed trends is a long-term rise in dog ownership in the United States. According to recent data from the American Pet Products Association, about 65 million U.S. households own a dog, representing roughly half of U.S. households. Historical data from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that the share of households with dogs has risen from roughly one-third of households in the mid-1990s to around two-fifths by the early 2020s, reflecting long-term growth in pet ownership.

Short national summaries of the AKC’s 2024 listings have appeared in outlets that noted the French Bulldog’s three-year run at the top of the registration-based list; one such roundup appears on Good Morning America. Readers interested in the complete city-by-city breakdown and the AKC’s registration methodology can view the full tables and explanatory notes on the AKC’s website.

Source

AKC release and registration lists: American Kennel Club. Summary coverage: Good Morning America. Original reporting: view the original article.