In recent years, bully breeds have been piquing the interest of many Americans. In fact, the French Bulldog recently seized the #1 spot as the most popular dog breed in America in 2022. The French Bulldogs are followed by Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Boxers as some of the most popular breeds in the United States. But what exactly is America’s most popular dog breed?
‘Bully dogs’ are a classification for over 50 breeds of Terrier-type dogs. Some of the most popular breeds being Bulldogs, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, and many more. This breed classification also extends to mixed breed bully dogs as well. Dogs who are mixed but have a significant mix of bully breeds are referred to as ‘Pit Bulls’.
There are numerous bully breeds that can be traced across the globe. In fact, bully’s date back all the way to 1886 with the English Bulldog originating from the British Isles. There’s also other notable bully breeds that come from across the world. The Boxer from Germany in 1904 and American Pit Bull Terrier from the United Kingdom in 1898 are very prominent examples. In fact, the Boston Terrier even originates from the U.S. itself in 1893.
Although the bully breed has existed since the 19th century, it has also seen continuous evolution since then. The Cane Corso registered in 2010 and Dogue de Bordeaux registered in 2008 have both swiftly grown in popularity. In fact, the Dogo Argentino breed from Cordoba was registered as recently as 2020. All these new additions to the bully breed show that the popularity of bully breed only continues to grow.
But which breeds have Americans most interested in? According to Google searches from the past 2 decades, Americans express the most interest in American Pit Bull Terriers, trailed by American Bully’s, and Bulldogs. However, with over 20% of the U.S. dog population being bully, the breeds searched tend to vary heavily by state. For example, California prefers American Bully, Texas prefers Bull Terriers, and Florida prefers Great Danes.
Across the 18 million bully’s in the United States, 15 bully breed’s rank within the top 87 registered with the American Kennel Club. This list comprises old breeds and new breeds alike, including Boston Terriers and the Dogo Argentino. It’s likely that the breed’s temper helps to make them more popular amongst Americans. Statistically, American Bully, Bull Terriers, and Dogo Argentino’s all have over a 90% score on the ATTS Temperament Test.
Ultimately, whether it be the history of the breed, its vast diversity, or their temperament, bully’s have undoubtedly found their place within America. Whether you’ve never had a dog or are a long-time bully owner, it’s easy to see why the breed that originates from around the globe has found their place within the states. Over the centuries, bully’s have earned their reputation and popularity within America. As they continue to provide care and companionship to millions of Americans, it’s easy to see why the bully breed has replaced the Labrador Retriever as America’s Dogs.
