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French bulldogs overtake labradors to become Britain’s most popular dog

<em>French bulldogs have become the UK’s favourite breed of dog (Rex)</em>
French bulldogs have become the UK’s favourite breed of dog (Rex)

Labradors have been knocked off their perch as Britain’s favourite dog by an altogether more continental breed.

The French bulldog – a favourite of celebrities like Lady GaGa and Madonna – has overtaken labradors as the UK’s most popular pooch.

Figures released by the Kennel Club show that there were 8,403 registrations for pedigree French bulldogs between January and March this year.

<em>The labrador has been pushed into second place for the first time in nearly 30 years (Rex)</em>
The labrador has been pushed into second place for the first time in nearly 30 years (Rex)
<em>There were 8,403 registrations for pedigree French bulldogs in the first three months of 2018 (Rex)</em>
There were 8,403 registrations for pedigree French bulldogs in the first three months of 2018 (Rex)

This compares to 7,409 for labradors – knocking off the top spot for the first time in nearly 30 years.

However, not everyone is a fan.

TV presenter Ben Fogle – a labrador owner – said that it was ‘sad and worrying that people are being led by fashion in breeds’.

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He added to the Mail on Sunday: ‘French bulldogs are small and cute and would suit a lot of people’s lifestyles, especially in cities.

‘I don’t think you see many French bulldogs in the countryside.’

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: ‘We have never seen such a dramatic increase in breed popularity as we have with the French bulldog, and so far in 2018 it is the top dog in the UK for the first time.’