ALL HAIL THE FRENCHIE

For the past 30 years, Labrador Retrievers were America's Number One dog breed. Well, folks, the Lab has been dethroned; in the past 10 years, the French Bulldog has grown with its popularity and has since passed up the favourite dog veteran

- Team Buddy Life

They're small, have batlike ears, and boast wide mouths on their short faces that can make them appear as if they're smiling. They're also giant slayers. Yet, the French Bulldog has been named the most popular dog breed in the US for 2022, according to data released by the American Kennel Club, officially ending the 31-year reign of the iconic and practically ubiquitous Labrador retriever. The Instagrammable dogs, with their expressive faces and alert-looking ears, are the latest in a long history of dog fashion trends. Reese Witherspoon has one. Lady Gaga has three. Martha Stewart flashes hers all over TV. Unfortunately, favourite dog breeds, according to the AKC (American Kennel Club), do not include mixed breeds, so if you have a favourite one of those, start thinking of a pure bred pup to throw on your list of (official) favourites instead. "Breaking the Lab's top-dog status of over three decades is no small feat," the AKC said in an announcement.

"The Frenchie is a smart, compact breed, and they can fit into various different lifestyles, perfect for people all across the country." At around 20 pounds and perfectly sized for carry-on luggage, Frenchies have been marketed as the dog best suited to the lifestyles of the rich and quite possibly lazy. They don't even need much exercise, for the simple reason that their numerous health problems can make too much exercise dangerous.