PETA Statement: The American Kennel Club’s “Most Popular” Dog Breed Struggles to Breathe

For Immediate Release:
March 19, 2025

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Norfolk, Va. –

Below, please find a statement from PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman in response to the American Kennel Club (AKC) announcing yesterday that for the third year in a row, the French bulldog is the AKC’s most registered dog breed:

French bulldogs would be more aptly called “America’s saddest breed,” as they spend their lives struggling to breathe, run, play, or experience any of the joys that make a dog’s life worthwhile. Our country’s animal shelters are overwhelmed with homeless dogs, and PETA urges everyone to adopt from shelters, steer clear of breeders, and ignore the American Kennel Club’s latest attempt to sell suffering puppies who come with a hefty price tag, sky-high veterinary bills, and guaranteed heartbreak for the humans who love them.

PETA notes French bulldogs suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and a host of other chronic, debilitating health issues. In 2024, the City of Ojai, in California, banned the breeding of French bulldogs, following in the footsteps of Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, which have all banned or restricted the breeding of breathing-impaired breeds (BIBs).

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.