top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Australian Shepherd is France’s favourite dog...again

The Australian Shepherd has become the French public’s favourite dog for the third year in a row, beating the Belgian Shepherd and new podium entry, the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The ranking comes from dog society la Société Centrale Canine (SCC), which manages national register of dog breeds and origins, le Livre des Origines des Chiens (LOF).

The Australian Shepherd is medium-sized, and strong but affectionate. It can also have attractive multi-coloured markings, and different-coloured eyes.

In 2019, the SCC recorded more than 15,000 registrations of this breed, a rise of 14% year-on-year.

Shepherd breeds have been the French public’s favourite since 1946. The German Shepherd was in the lead from 1946 to 2015, when it was overtaken by the Belgian Shepherd from 2016 to 2017.

In 2017, the Australian variety took first place, where it has stayed since.

Shepherd breeds saw 55,010 LOF registrations in total in 2019, representing a quarter of total pedigree dog births in France.

The Belgian Shepherd is still in second place, at 11,763 registrations for 2019; followed by the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, coming in third for the first time, with 11,315 registrations.

Yet, last year, animal welfare charity La Spa France warned that Australian Shepherds were “victims of their own success”, as their popularity and needs meant that they were at increased risk of abandonment.

In a Tweet, it wrote: “These dogs are too often abandoned by their masters, who have jumped on this trend without thinking about the needs of this very dynamic breed.”

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France