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'Little love machines': French bulldogs now 2nd most popular dog

'Little love machines': French bulldogs now 2nd most popular dog
animals can't tell you how much they love you. But at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words, right. Here's how to decipher your pet's body language and how they're probably saying, I love you too. According to insider dogs can not only recognize their own names, but their favorite people's names to if they get excited when someone calls your name, they love you. If your dog brings you a toy that needs fixing, they have a lot of faith in you and your intelligence. Keeping a lookout for any threat while you eat or relax is also a sign of love. If your dog gazes deeply into your eyes, they are trying to bond with you. Cats have their own love language to, according to Cosmopolitan, if your cat pers while you're in the room, this is a sign of love and trust. If a cat brings you gifts like dead mice, it means they trust you to care for them and their most prized possessions. If your cat can't stop me allowing around you, they love you. Finally, if your cat follows you around the house, no matter what you're doing, it means they love you so much they want to be by your side at all times.
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'Little love machines': French bulldogs now 2nd most popular dog
Video above: Your dog or cat might be doing these certain things to show how much they love youCould the French bulldog become America's favorite purebred pooch?After riding a rocket ship to popularity over the last quarter-century, Frenchies came in second only to Labrador retrievers — the leaders for 30 straight years — in the American Kennel Club's latest rankings, set to be released Wednesday. They reflect the relative numbers of purebreds, mainly puppies, that were added last year to the oldest U.S. dog registry.Stocky and smush-faced, French bulldogs have their charms — at least in fans' eyes — but also their limitations.“They’re not the type of dog to go hiking with you," AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter said. "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.”A dig into the details:THE TOP 10:After Labrador retrievers and French bulldogs, the top 10 breeds include German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs, poodles, beagles, Rottweilers and German shorthaired pointers. Dachshunds made the top 10 for the first time since 2013.Prized as easygoing and can-do dogs, Labs years ago broke the record for the longest No. 1 run, and they remain most popular by a lot. More than 98,300 Labs joined the AKC's registry last year, compared to about 66,500 French bulldogs.German shepherds are enjoying their own form of doggie leadership, however. President Joe Biden's shepherds, Champ and Major, moved into the White House, though they were recently sent back to Biden's Delaware home for a canine cooling-off period after Major injured a Secret Service agent.The poodle may also make a claim to the top-dog crown: A standard poodle named Siba was the most recent winner of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show, held last year.Breeds on the move include the cane corso, a heavy-duty guard dog that broke into the top 25. It was 51st just a decade ago. Vive la FrenchieWhen Labrador retrievers first topped the chart in 1991, French bulldogs ranked a distant 82nd. But Frenchies began to rise in the rankings in the late '90s, hitting No. 4 by 2017.Celebrity owners from Martha Stewart to Lady Gaga to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have given the breed exposure. And its compact size, moderate exercise needs, no-fuss coat and rather comic demeanor struck a chord with many dog seekers.“They are snoring, farting little love machines,” says Nicole Denny, a professional dog handler who has been breeding French bulldogs for 15 years after 20 years with Doberman pinschers.She sees Frenchies' popularity surge as “a blessing and a curse.”“I would feel selfish, in a way, if other people didn’t get to enjoy the breed because they are just so wonderful,” says Denny, of Pleasant Plain, Ohio. But “it’s brought about a lot of people who aren’t breeding wisely.”French bulldog fanciers need to be aware that the breed can be prone to overheating, breathing difficulties and back problems. Other breeds also are susceptible to various conditions, and mixed-breeds aren't necessarily free of them, notes AKC chief veterinary officer Dr. Jerry Klein.“There’s no dog, whether it’s purebred or mixed-breed, that is 100% guaranteed to be completely without problems,” he said. “You should know what you’re getting and know the possibilities.” Who's in, who's out and who's newThe popularity rankings are limited to the more than 190 breeds recognized by the AKC — no doodles or other “designer” hybrids, not to mention everyday mixes and mutts.New to the list are two breeds that got recognized in 2020: The dogo Argentino, joining the popularity rankings in 93rd place — notable for a newcomer — and the barbet, at 145th. Bringing up the rareThe rarest breed is the Norwegian lundehund. The modest-sized, nimble dogs might be little-known in the U.S. but have intriguing distinctions, including six-toed feet, unusual flexibility, climbing acumen and a history of hunting puffins. The debate over dog breedingAnimal-rights advocates complain that interest in purebred dogs fuels puppy mills and leaves other pooches stuck in shelters. The AKC counters that conscientious breeding produces dogs adept at such work such as bomb-sniffing, and enables pet owners to choose a breed suited to the activities — or lack thereof — that they have in mind.Still, the AKC rues that pup-ularity sometimes spurs people to acquire a breed they haven't researched.“Don't let the popularity drive the decision," Hunter said. "Let your lifestyle drive the decision.”

Video above: Your dog or cat might be doing these certain things to show how much they love you

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Could the French bulldog become America's favorite purebred pooch?

After riding a rocket ship to popularity over the last quarter-century, Frenchies came in second only to Labrador retrievers — the leaders for 30 straight years — in the American Kennel Club's latest rankings, set to be released Wednesday. They reflect the relative numbers of purebreds, mainly puppies, that were added last year to the oldest U.S. dog registry.

Stocky and smush-faced, French bulldogs have their charms — at least in fans' eyes — but also their limitations.

“They’re not the type of dog to go hiking with you," AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter said. "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.”

A dig into the details:

THE TOP 10:

After Labrador retrievers and French bulldogs, the top 10 breeds include German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs, poodles, beagles, Rottweilers and German shorthaired pointers. Dachshunds made the top 10 for the first time since 2013.

Prized as easygoing and can-do dogs, Labs years ago broke the record for the longest No. 1 run, and they remain most popular by a lot. More than 98,300 Labs joined the AKC's registry last year, compared to about 66,500 French bulldogs.

German shepherds are enjoying their own form of doggie leadership, however. President Joe Biden's shepherds, Champ and Major, moved into the White House, though they were recently sent back to Biden's Delaware home for a canine cooling-off period after Major injured a Secret Service agent.

The poodle may also make a claim to the top-dog crown: A standard poodle named Siba was the most recent winner of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show, held last year.

Breeds on the move include the cane corso, a heavy-duty guard dog that broke into the top 25. It was 51st just a decade ago.

Vive la Frenchie

When Labrador retrievers first topped the chart in 1991, French bulldogs ranked a distant 82nd. But Frenchies began to rise in the rankings in the late '90s, hitting No. 4 by 2017.

Celebrity owners from Martha Stewart to Lady Gaga to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have given the breed exposure. And its compact size, moderate exercise needs, no-fuss coat and rather comic demeanor struck a chord with many dog seekers.

“They are snoring, farting little love machines,” says Nicole Denny, a professional dog handler who has been breeding French bulldogs for 15 years after 20 years with Doberman pinschers.

She sees Frenchies' popularity surge as “a blessing and a curse.”

“I would feel selfish, in a way, if other people didn’t get to enjoy the breed because they are just so wonderful,” says Denny, of Pleasant Plain, Ohio. But “it’s brought about a lot of people who aren’t breeding wisely.”

French bulldog fanciers need to be aware that the breed can be prone to overheating, breathing difficulties and back problems. Other breeds also are susceptible to various conditions, and mixed-breeds aren't necessarily free of them, notes AKC chief veterinary officer Dr. Jerry Klein.

“There’s no dog, whether it’s purebred or mixed-breed, that is 100% guaranteed to be completely without problems,” he said. “You should know what you’re getting and know the possibilities.”

Who's in, who's out and who's new

The popularity rankings are limited to the more than 190 breeds recognized by the AKC — no doodles or other “designer” hybrids, not to mention everyday mixes and mutts.

New to the list are two breeds that got recognized in 2020: The dogo Argentino, joining the popularity rankings in 93rd place — notable for a newcomer — and the barbet, at 145th.

Bringing up the rare

The rarest breed is the Norwegian lundehund. The modest-sized, nimble dogs might be little-known in the U.S. but have intriguing distinctions, including six-toed feet, unusual flexibility, climbing acumen and a history of hunting puffins.

The debate over dog breeding

Animal-rights advocates complain that interest in purebred dogs fuels puppy mills and leaves other pooches stuck in shelters. The AKC counters that conscientious breeding produces dogs adept at such work such as bomb-sniffing, and enables pet owners to choose a breed suited to the activities — or lack thereof — that they have in mind.

Still, the AKC rues that pup-ularity sometimes spurs people to acquire a breed they haven't researched.

“Don't let the popularity drive the decision," Hunter said. "Let your lifestyle drive the decision.”