Beagles Ask for a Recount

This week the American Kennel Club crowned the French Bulldog as the most popular dog breed in America, a surprising elevation downgrading the Labrador Retriever to second place. The AKC’s ranking is based on its registration statistics.

“Breaking the Lab’s top-dog status of over three decades is no small feat,” the AKC explained in announcing the squish-faced and squat new king. “The Frenchie is a smart, compact breed, and they can fit into various different lifestyles, perfect for people all across the country. ... They have surged in popularity in cities across the country since their small size and generally quiet demeanor make them good fits for apartments and smaller homes.”

They also help keep your local vets in business, though that is not part of the pitch. The slobbering breed is among those known as “brachycephalic” dogs, with shortened skulls and snouts that make them prone to respiratory, eye, gasping,and spinal problems. (Norway unsuccessfully tried to ban the breed).

Ranked behind the Frenchie:  Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Poodle, Bulldog, Rottweiler (!)  and then the Beagle – who has never been known to eat a baby.

Is there a more perfect dog than the peerless beagle? Smart-enough, lively and generally long-lived? We demand a recount on behalf of Atwood, our  resident beagle, who has never met a book by Margaret that he didn’t want to sample. 

Which pooch is least popular? That would be the English foxhound, coming in a lowly 199th on AKC’s annual list. We don't understand that either: The hound looks a lot like a bigger beagle and what could be better?

Photo credit: Manuela Hoelterhoff and American Kennel Club

#AKC #FrenchBulldog #labradorretriever #goldenretriever #germanshepherd #poodle #Englishfoxhound #dogslife #waglabsinc.