Black Girl in a Doggone World™

Black Girl in a Doggone World™

French Bulldogs beat out Labrador Retrievers after a 31-year winning streak

My favorite memory of the first French Bulldog I dogsat

Shamontiel L. Vaughn's avatar
Shamontiel L. Vaughn
Mar 16, 2023
∙ Paid
The cutest French bulldog I had the pleasure of dogsitting and adore. (Photo credit: Shamontiel L. Vaughn)

Some dogs have no business being as cute as they are, and this French Bulldog was exactly that kind of dog. So when I found out for the first time in 31 years, the Frenchie beat out Labrador Retrievers as the most popular dog breed in the U.S., I wondered what took so long. Mind you, my first dog was an insanely cute Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd mix and I know how much fun those dogs are, but this Frenchie will forever be the most entertaining dog I’ve ever dogsat.

When I arrived at the home, I knew this dog was going to be a handful. I noticed the obstacle course set up by the pet fence, and I’d never seen anything like it. In addition to a regular gate between the living room and the dining room, there was a small brick, a pile of books and a lock. I asked why all of that was there and the owner smiled and said, “You’ll see.”


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It didn’t take me long to realize Frenchies are so small that they can sneak their way into anywhere—like mice. It didn’t help matters that this cute little dog was gray. I would strategically place the fence in place, and she would wiggle the latch so she could walk through the door. I would put a brick in front of the door, and she would scoot her hips to get the gate to move. I would stack a pile of books in the gap near the gate, and she would climb up all the books and slide her way down the other side.

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