Malinois is new top dog in France

France has a new No1 dog breed with the Malinois (Berger Belge) taking over from the German Shepherd for the first time in 50 years.

Société Centrale Canine said it registered 11,000 puppies last year, 1,000 more than alsatians, and this may be a response to the death of Malinois police dog Diesel, killed in raids after the November 2015 terror attacks.
However, Christophe Marie of Fondation Brigitte Bardot, was scathing, saying: “The fact the ‘Berger Belge’ is in vogue doesn’t make it France’s favourite dog as many are used for purposes which are far from friendly.
“We regret fashion has made an animal a product to be bought on a whim and discarded just as easily. People should learn to respect animals.”