Animals. Malinois, Australian Shepherd… why the dog breed trend can be problematic

Every year, thousands of French people choose to adopt a dog. One-third of households own one. In 2024, the Canine Center recorded more than 205,000 purebred dog births, from 192 different breeds.

And the most popular dog last year was the Australian Shepherd. According to I-CAD, the national identification database for dogs, cats, and ferrets, 34,199 dogs of this breed were identified in 2024, followed by the Chihuahua (32,035), the Border Collie (31,339), the Golden Retriever (23,513), and the Labrador Retriever (22,026), which dethroned the French Bulldog. Behind these good intentions, dog breeds are subject to fashion trends, sometimes fueled by social media, celebrities, or movies. Shiba, Spitz, Corgi… There are even Dachshund gatherings, called "sausage walks," a reference to the length of this dog breed.

Certain breeds are becoming very popular... to the detriment of animals and their well-being. A dog is not chosen like an accessory. Yet, many adoptions follow these trends. The Australian Shepherd, the star of recent years, seduces with its coat and bright eyes, but it is also a very lively dog ​​that needs plenty of exercise and rigorous training. Adopting a dog without awareness of what it entails too often leads to... abandonment , while shelters and associations are overflowing with four-legged animals to adopt.

This phenomenon is particularly visible in certain dog breeds: "For several years, we have had a constant influx of Malinois and American Staffordshire Terriers. They are popular for their appearance, but also because they are excellent guard and defense dogs. They also generally accompany police officers in their work," notes Jacques-Charles Fombonne, volunteer president of the SPA (Society for the Protection of Animals).

Unfortunately, these dog breeds are also victims of numerous illegal trafficking and unregulated breeding. "Some are even trained to be nervous, aggressive, and are dedicated to fighting activities," he laments. Malinois are very affectionate and responsive dogs, but require a lot of attention and good training. "If the animal is left alone all day, it will bark and can cause damage indoors because it is stressed. As a result, owners get rid of them, and then they have to be retrained and given back their trust in humans," explains the president of the SPA.

The popularity of a particular breed also leads to an explosion of unscrupulous breeders. To meet demand, they multiply litters without respecting health or genetic regulations, while thousands of animals languish in shelters.

Another perverse effect of this trend: excessive selection to meet demand can deteriorate the health of animals. This is the case for brachycephalic dogs, with squashed heads: the French bulldog, the English bulldog, the boxer, the pug, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Due to crossbreeding to produce an animal with an even more flattened nose, these animals now have numerous health problems - and are suffering. "These dogs, although fashionable, we would prefer not to see them anymore... They have neurological problems, because the brain is compressed because we tried to have dogs with smaller heads, they have major respiratory problems because we flattened their noses so much that they can no longer breathe properly, females are forced to have caesareans to give birth, it's a catastrophe," warns Jacques-Charles Fombonne. The French bulldog is nevertheless the sixth most identified breed according to the I-CAD.

The popularity of certain breeds reflects humans' consumerist attitude toward animals. Before taking the plunge, it's essential to research the breed's needs and our ability to meet them, check the breeder's reputation, and consider adopting from a shelter.