French bulldogs are now most popular breed in US, American Kennel Club says

Small, sturdy purebred dog's meteoric rise took it past labrador retrievers but critics say it is prone to numerous health problems

For the first time in three decades, the US has a new favorite dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.

Adorable in some eyes, deplorable in others, the sturdy, push-faced, perky-eared, world-weary-looking and distinctively droll French bulldog became the nation's most prevalent purebred dog last year, the club announced on Wednesday. Frenchies ousted labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years.