A new dog breed has waddled its way into Americans’ hearts. While Labrador retrievers were the most popular purebred dog for a record 31 years, French bulldogs—or “frenchies” as they’re called by enthusiasts—took the top spot in 2022 for the first time, the American Kennel Club announced on March 15.

But the selection doesn’t come without some controversy. Veterinarians have long warned that the breed’s popularity is contributing to their suffering. Like other dog breeds with scrunched faces, such as pugs and bulldogs, Frenchies are plagued by a range of health problems tied to their distinctive shape. And as their popularity has risen and the price of a puppy has soared into the thousands of dollars, veterinarians have warned that t…