If all dogs are adorable, stylish or not, one breed of doggie stands out from the rest and was voted the French’s favorite breed for the sixth year in a row.
France is one of those countries that love dogs! The proof in numbers since a third of French people own a dog. And among those who are not so lucky, 21% dream of welcoming one into their home, according to the results of a survey conducted by the CSA institute. And yes, 84% of French people love dogs and there are no less than 7.5 million of them in the country. Even better, 85% of dog owners consider them a full member of the family. That’s saying something!
“If for centuries, the dog has proven to be the essential utilitarian auxiliary of Homo Sapiens for guarding, hunting and even war, today far from being taboo, the unconditional love that owners have for their dogs is assumed and widely claimed by 9 out of 10 people”, explains sociologist Christophe Blanchard. But which doggies are the most popular with the French? 1 in 2 owners say they have a purebred dog, registered with the LOF or with a pedigree.
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Here are the French’s favorite dog breeds
Dog breeds are chosen by owners based on character then size and finally appearance. As a reminder, the LOF (French book of origins) is a register created in 1885 which lists the origins of all purebred dogs. A dog is said to be purebred only if it is registered with the LOF. As for the pedigree, it is an official document attesting that the dog corresponds to the standard of its breed. And according to the latest ranking of The Canine Centrale, the favorite breed of the French is the Australian Shepherd. With 18,000 births in 2023, the Australian Shepherd has taken first place in the hearts of the French for the 6th consecutive year.
The Australian Shepherd is closely followed by the Golden retriever (15,000 births) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (11,000 puppies). “The French are particularly fond of shepherd dogs, retrievers, and more recently, primitive dogs,” according to Fleur-Marie Desfougères, deputy director of The Canine Centrale.
Here is the full ranking:
- Australian shepherd
- Golden retriever
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Belgian Shepherd
- German shepherd
- Labrador Retriever
- Cavalier King Charles
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Miniature American Shepherd
- English setter
- Dachshund
- Brittany Spaniel
- Beagle
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Cane corso
- French Bulldog
- Siberian Husky
- Chihuahua
- German Spitz
- Rottweiler
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…