French Bulldog Named 2nd Most Popular In US, What About Illinois?

It can't be because we recently learned that none other than Lady Gaga is the proud owner of 3 French Bulldog puppies, right?

Maybe the reason for the skyrocketing popularity of "frenchies" isn't the Lady Gaga factor, but I don't see where it's going to put a dent in their desirability, either. Plus, the reason we know that Lady Gaga has the dogs is that a couple of pieces of human debris shot her dogwalker and stole them right off a Los Angeles sidewalk a few weeks back.

The good news is that the dogwalker will fully recover, and the frenchie pups, although abandoned and tied to a telephone pole, were found by a woman who did the right thing and called the police. The pups were later reunited with Gaga's people.

The reason I bring all this up is that the American Kennel Club (AKC) is set to announce their annual list of America's most popular dog breeds tomorrow. Knowing how to drum up some interest, they've leaked select details a little early. Like naming the French Bulldog as America's second most popular dog breed, right behind the winner every year for the last 30 years, the Labrador Retriever.

AKC:

They’re not the type of dog to go hiking with you, but if you want a dog that’s going to snuggle up with you, be cute, be adaptable, minimal grooming… that’s the kind of breed for you.

Joe Dredge and I are both dog guys, and frequently bring up our dogs on the WROK Morning Show. I've got two of these guys (Buddy Boi and Lucy):

And Joe has one of these (Sasha):

But only one of our dogs made the top 20 list from the AKC, and that would be Joe's dog Sasha, a Siberian Husky, coming in at number 16. My two Weimaraners will have to be content in the #39 spot.

As for the most popular dog breed here in Illinois, ReadersDigest reports:

Labradors, German shepherds, and goldens top the AKC list in Illinois, but if Chicago is any indication, Frenchies and “Rotties” are quickly gaining ground, as are Siberian huskies and Doberman pinschers (both of which made it into Chicago’s top 10 by AKC’s most recent count).

Want to see where yours is on the American Kennel Club list? Click here.