9 most misunderstood dog breeds in FranceFact vs. Myth Sources: PubMed · behavioral studies · LOF/SCC registers · Legifrance |
Some breeds have a reputation that has nothing to do with what they are really like. Others are subject to fantasies in the opposite direction: they are thought to be fragile, accessory, or without personality, when the reality is quite different.
These nine breeds are massively misadopted, misbought, or misunderstood in France every year.
This article is not written to scare you.
It is written in the hope that the next adoption decision will be the right one.
When a film creates an adoption epidemic
Before talking about the breeds themselves, it is important to understand a scientifically documented mechanism: our choices of pets are deeply influenced by films, cultural trends, and today, social media.
Unfortunately, this influence leads to cycles of adoption and abandonment for which dogs pay the price.
In 1985, Disney re-released 101 Dalmatians in American cinemas.
Within eight years, annual registrations of Dalmatians with the American Kennel Club increased from 8,170 puppies to 42,816 puppies, a more than fivefold multiplication.
What followed was predictable: unscrupulous breeders flooded the market, unprepared families adopted an athletic and demanding dog, and shelters filled up.
Popularity peaked in 1993, before falling by 97% in ten years.
Ghirlanda et al. ( PLoS ONE 2014, PMID 25208271 ) analyzed the impact of 29 films on AKC breed registrations between 1927 and 2005.
Result: the increase in registrations after a film release is directly correlated with the number of opening weekend viewers. Weir and Kessler ( PLoS ONE 2022, PMC 8754329 ) showed that these effects can persist up to five years after a film's release. Social media has since amplified and accelerated this mechanism on an unprecedented scale.
Documented figures of the film effect
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After the re-release of 101 Dalmatians (1985): Dalmatian registrations x5.2 in 8 years, then -97% in 10 years.
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After Lassie Come Home (1943): Collie registrations from 2,331 to 20,006 in one decade.
Breed #1 · The Belgian Malinois
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Violent and unpredictable dog, reserved for law enforcement. Dangerous in a family setting. |
A demanding working dog, emotionally stable when its needs are met. Unsolicited aggression is not a racial characteristic but the result of a mismatch between the dog and its living conditions. |
The Malinois is probably the most stigmatized breed in France.
Its presence in police and army K9 units fuels an image of a "weapon dog". This image is both partially founded and deceptively incomplete. Founded, because the Malinois is a high-intensity, high-energy dog.
If not stimulated, poorly socialized, or subjected to coercive methods, it can develop severe problematic behaviors.
This is not a dog suitable for beginners.
Deceptive, because the perceived aggression is not an innate characteristic of the breed but the result of a mismatch between the dog's needs and the living conditions it is offered.
A well-trained, stimulated, and channeled Malinois is remarkably faithful and stable.
It is precisely for its ability to discriminate situations, not for its raw aggression, that law enforcement uses it.
La Centrale Canine recorded 6,270 Malinois LOF registrations in 2024.
The consequence of inappropriate adoption is observable in specialized rescue associations, where the Malinois is highly represented among dogs under 3 years old abandoned for behavioral reasons.
Before adopting a Malinois
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Minimum 2 hours of intense physical activity per day.
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Daily mental stimulation is essential.
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Positive and consistent training from day one.
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Incompatible with a sedentary life or long periods alone.
It is not a violent dog.It is a demanding dog.The distinction is fundamental. |
Breed n° 2 · The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Dangerous breed assimilated to categorized dogs. Often confused with Category 1 or 2 breeds in France. |
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not categorized in France. The confusion comes from an amalgamation with morphologically similar breeds. Selected for high tolerance towards humans, it is one of the most documented breeds as gentle towards people. |
First essential point of clarity, and it is legal: the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not a Category 1 or Category 2 dog in France.
The decree of April 27, 1999 ( Legifrance, JORFTEXT000000210847 ) lists American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff and Tosa dogs not registered with the LOF as Category 1, and American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler and Tosa breeds registered with the LOF as Category 2. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not included.
This confusion has a history...
The 1999 decree initially mentioned a "Staffordshire terrier", a designation that does not exist as a recognized breed, a drafting error. I-CAD (Identification of Domestic Carnivores), an official body mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture, clearly confirmed in its documentation that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier does not fall into either of the two regulated categories.
On the behavioral level, the work of Hammond et al. ( Evolutionary Applications 2022, PubMed 36426126) compared the behavioral tendencies of "dangerous" categorized breeds to other breeds across 1,845 dogs and 25 breeds.
Conclusion : no significant behavioral differences were found between the breeds targeted by the legislations and the others. The variability within each breed was much greater than the differences between breeds!
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In summary? A dog, not a breed! |
This does not mean that the Staffie is without demands.
He is a strong, enthusiastic dog, sometimes reactive towards other dogs, who needs exercise, training and early socialization.
But the fear associated with him does not correspond to what veterinary and behavioral data document about this specific breed!
French legislation in detail
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Category 1 (attack dogs): American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Tosa type dogs, not registered with the LOF. Acquisition, transfer and import are prohibited.
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Category 2 (guard and defense dogs): American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa breeds, registered with the LOF. A holding permit is mandatory.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not included in either of these two categories.
Breed #3 · The Greyhound
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Hyperactive racing dog that needs to run for hours every day. Unsuitable for apartment living . |
Calm and composed dog indoors, once its daily sprint need is satisfied. Suitable for apartment living despite its size, provided a few intense sessions in a secure area. |
The paradox of the Greyhound is one of the most spectacular in the canine world.
The fastest animal in the world of cynology, capable of reaching 70 km/h, is in reality one of the calmest large breed dogs indoors.
The Greyhound is an athlete of pure speed, not endurance.
It needs intense sprints in a fenced and secure area every day. Once this need is met, it is remarkably calm indoors.
Its reputation for being unsuitable for urban life comes from a confusion between space needs and exercise needs, which are not equivalent.
Its sight-hunting instinct is very powerful: a Greyhound should never be let off-leash in an unsecured area.
A moving prey can lead it several kilometers away in a few seconds, oblivious to any recall. This point is non-negotiable.
There is a specific medical feature that every veterinarian treating a Greyhound should be aware of: the breed has documented sensitivity to certain anesthetics.
Initially attributed to their low body fat percentage, subsequent studies showed that the primary mechanism is a deficiency in the hepatic enzyme CYP450, responsible for metabolizing certain anesthetic molecules.
The clinical result is a significantly delayed awakening after the use of barbiturates. Thiobarbiturates should be avoided in Greyhounds.
Veterinary point: Greyhound anesthesia
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Greyhounds' anesthetic sensitivity is the only documented example of breed-specific anesthetic sensitivity in the canine species. It is due to a hepatic enzyme deficiency (CYP450), not solely to low body fat as initially thought.
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Thiobarbiturates should be avoided in Greyhounds. Propofol should be used with caution and at an adjusted dose. Adapted protocols (alfaxalone, or ketamine/diazepam combination) are safe and well-documented.
Breed #4 · The Siberian Husky
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Beautiful and photogenic dog adaptable to all lifestyles. A nice daily walk is enough. |
Endurance sled dog, developed to work in a pack and pull loads over long distances. Without serious physical activity and without a secure environment, it becomes difficult to live with, not because it is bad, but because it is being asked to fit into a box that is not its own! |
The Husky is one of the most fantasized breeds: beautiful, photogenic, spectacular. But the AKC first describes it as an endurance sled dog, developed to work in a pack and pull light loads over long distances.
It is not a decorative dog, nor a dog naturally suited for a very sedentary life.
The real issue is not "apartment or house", but the suitability between the living environment and the dog's needs.
The Husky is generally very active, independent, vocal and keen on exploration.
Without regular physical activity, serious outings, and a secure environment, it becomes especially difficult to live with.
Social networks have massively contributed to its idealistic image.
No viral content shows the 3 to 4 hours of daily activity, the nocturnal destruction, or the separation difficulties.
The SPA reports an increased presence in shelters of "trendy" dog breeds requiring specific knowledge and a real educational investment.
Before adopting a Husky
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Naturally vocal dog: neighbors will be affected.
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Highly developed escape instinct: fully secured garden is mandatory.
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Independent and not very keen on "pleasing the master": training requires consistency.
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Needs significant canine or human companionship: does not tolerate prolonged solitude well.
Breed #5 · The Rottweiler
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Category 2 breed, therefore intrinsically dangerous. The legal image takes precedence over behavioral reality. |
Powerful breed that requires serious training, but whose aggressiveness cannot be reduced to its legal label. Scientific data shows that breed alone is not enough to predict aggressive behavior! |
The Rottweiler is a Category 2 breed in France, which is enough to give it an image of an intrinsically dangerous dog.
This is precisely where the debate goes wrong: regulations and media representations often suggest "breed" aggression, while scientific data is much more nuanced.
Hammond et al. (Evolutionary Applications 2022, PubMed 36426126) compared the behavioral tendencies of "dangerous" categorized breeds with other breeds across 1,845 dogs and 25 breeds.
Conclusion: no significant behavioral differences were found between breeds targeted by legislation and others. The variability within each breed was much greater than the differences between breeds!
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In summary? A dog, not a breed! |
Yes, the Rottweiler is powerful, intimidating, and requires serious training.
But its behavior cannot be reduced to its legal label.
The often-cited ATTS statistics give it an 85.0% pass rate, but ATTS itself points out that this is neither a scientific study nor a measure of innate aggressiveness.
The law has categorized it: this implies administrative obligations, not predetermined behavior.
Before adopting a Rottweiler
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Category 2 breed: mandatory ownership permit, behavioral evaluation, specific insurance.
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Solid training essential from a young age: the adult dog's size and power do not forgive educational shortcomings.
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Early and intensive socialization with humans and other dogs.
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A well-trained Rottweiler is a remarkably stable dog. A poorly managed Rottweiler can pose a real risk. The educational framework makes all the difference.
Breed #6 · The Border Collie
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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The smartest dog therefore the easiest to live with and the most adaptable to all homes. |
Its level of intelligence and drive is precisely what makes it difficult to manage without adequate stimulation! An under-stimulated Border Collie can develop compulsive behaviors documented in behavioral veterinary literature. |
The Border Collie is regularly cited in canine intelligence rankings.
This distinction is real.
What these rankings don't explain is that a dog's intelligence is not a quality in itself in an unadapted domestic context.
It is a requirement.
A large study published in Scientific Reports in 2022 (Tiira et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07443-6), involving nearly 4,500 Finnish companion dogs, documented compulsive behaviors by breed.
Border Collies showed a very high prevalence of compulsive staring and fly snapping (snapping jaws in the air), behaviors that correspond to exaggerated forms of the breed's innate herding and gathering instinct.
These repetitive behaviors, termed "abnormal repetitive behaviours" in the literature, are recognized as indicators of compromised welfare when they become intrusive.
They typically develop in insufficiently stimulating environments, with little exercise and social contact.
The Border Collie is a remarkable dog for owners who can offer it dog sports, scent work, intense daily exercise, and regular mental stimulation. Presenting its intelligence as an advantage without mentioning its demands constitutes incomplete information to the detriment of the dog.
Breed #7 · The Chihuahua
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Accessory dog Not really a "real dog" Its small size would make it harmless: its problematic behaviors are trivialized. |
An untrained Chihuahua is still an untrained dog. The difference is that its signals are trivialized because it's small. Scientific studies show that small dogs receive less formal training and more inconsistent interactions. |
The Chihuahua suffers from the opposite problem to the Malinois: it is taken too lightly!
It is a breed often treated as an accessory, carried in a bag, poorly trained, poorly socialized, then judged "troublesome" when it barks, nips, or lives in hyper-vigilance.
The work of Arhant et al. (Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2010, 123(2-3):131-142) shows that small dogs, on average, receive less formal training, fewer shared activities, and more inconsistent interactions, leading to more behaviors considered problematic.
The problem is not smallness itself, but how these dogs are treated.
The Chihuahua also has real medical fragilities, especially orthopedic ones.
Its patellar luxation is documented, its fontanelles can remain open (see Canithermo Explains article on this topic), and its dentition in a narrow mouth is prone to significant tartar buildup.
It is not a "low-maintenance" dog because it is small.
What "small dog" doesn't mean
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Small dog does not mean dog without educational needs.
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Small dog does not mean dog without physical needs.
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Small dog does not mean acceptance of tolerable behaviors that would not be tolerated in a large dog.
A well-trained Chihuahua is a stable, affectionate, and easy-going dog. An untrained Chihuahua is an anxious dog that bites, and whose size only protects humans, not the dog itself.
Breed #8 · The Australian Shepherd
| THE MYTH | THE REALITY |
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Beautiful, intelligent, easy. The ideal dog for all active families, even without experience. |
A herding dog selected for work, meaning endurance, intense engagement, and a need for tasks. Without work, rules, or real mental expenditure, it creates its own occupation: hyperactivity, nipping, repetitive behaviors. |
The Australian Shepherd has been one of the most registered breeds with the LOF for years.
The Centrale Canine ranked it 2nd in 2025 with 14,609 registrations, just behind the Golden Retriever.
Its public image is remarkably effective: beautiful, energetic, intelligent, very photogenic.
The problem is that many households underestimate what "herding dog" means in daily life.
An Australian Shepherd needs to move, but above all, to have an occupied mind.
AKC resources on herding breeds emphasize this point: these are intelligent, very active dogs that demand activity.
When they are given no work, no rules, and no real mental expenditure, they create their own occupation.
The behaviors observed in cases of maladaptation, attempts to herd children or other animals, compulsive fixation on moving objects, persistent vocalizations, are not character flaws.
These are behaviors of a shepherd without a flock. The casting is wrong, not the dog.
The paradox of the "most popular dog"
The more popular a breed is, the more the number of bad placements mechanically increases. The Australian Shepherd combines an idealistic image, massive popularity, and high specific needs.
Shelters bear the consequences every year...
Breed #9 · The Chow-Chow
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THE MYTH |
THE REALITY |
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Unpredictable and treacherous dog. Considered the breed with the highest risk of severe biting by a large majority of surveyed American veterinarians. |
A reserved and independent dog by nature, very different from gregarious breeds. Its apparent coldness is often misinterpreted. Requires early socialization and is incompatible with coercive methods. |
A survey published in Animals (Basel) in 2019 (Kogan et al., PMC 6861953), focusing on small animal veterinarians in the United States, showed that 60.6% of them perceived the Chow-Chow as the breed with the highest risk of severe biting.
It is important to be precise about what this study measures: it is a professional perception, not a documented actual risk in the general canine population.
Veterinary perceptions can reflect clinical biases, as problematic cases are overrepresented in consultations, as much as the actual behavior of the breed.
The Chow-Chow has a fundamentally different psychological structure from gregarious breeds like the Labrador or Golden Retriever.
It is distant, not very demonstrative, and does not seek human approval.
It does not show its discomfort with progressive signals as clearly as other breeds, which can disorient owners accustomed to more expressive dogs.
These characteristics make it unsuitable for certain profiles: owners who use coercive methods, who have not socialized the dog early, or who interpret its aloofness as provocation.
A Chow-Chow that has been well-socialized from a young age, trained with positive methods by an owner who understands and respects its natural independence, is a perfectly stable dog.
Before adopting a Chow-Chow
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Intensive early socialization: this is the most important predictive factor for this breed.
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Exclusively positive training methods: coercive methods exacerbate defensive tendencies.
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Do not interpret aloofness as coldness or a lack of bond.
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It is not an intrinsically dangerous dog. It is a dog that requires advanced relational skills.
What these nine breeds have in common
None are intrinsically dangerous or unsuitable.
What they share is a distortion between their cultural image and their behavioral reality.
This distortion leads to two types of opposing errors: unjustified fear (Malinois, Staffordshire, Rottweiler, Chow-Chow) and idealized adoption without real knowledge of the needs (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Husky, Greyhound, Chihuahua).
Research on the film effect and adoption trends is clear: our breed choices are largely guided by cultural images, not by knowledge of the animal.
As long as this reality is not better integrated into information practices at the time of adoption, incompatibilities between dogs and homes will continue to occur, to the detriment of the dog.
Three questions before adopting a dog
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How many hours a day can I dedicate to this dog, honestly, for 12 to 15 years?
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Does my interest in this breed come from what I know about it, or from what I have seen of it?
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Am I ready for this dog as it is, not as it appears in my cultural references?
Editorial note:The classification of these nine breeds as "among the most misunderstood in France" reflects an editorial analysis based on the distortion between public image and documented behavioral reality, not a result from a dedicated epidemiological study on this specific question! |
ReminderIn 2022, so-called "special needs" dogs (Australian Shepherd, Malinois, American Staffordshire Terrier...) represented 20% of SPA shelter residents |
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Join the Canithermo community Do you own one of these breeds? Have you experienced the distortion between image and reality? Share your experience in our community. Your testimonials will help other owners better understand these dogs. contact@canithermo.com |
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Sources
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Ghirlanda S, Acerbi A, Herzog H. (2014) Star dogs in cinema and the popularity of dog breeds: a case study on the influence of media on choice. PLoS ONE 9(9):e106565. PMID: 25208271
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Weir S, Kessler SE. (2022) The making of a movie (dog) star: the effect of canine depiction in film on breed registrations in the United States. PLoS ONE 17(1):e0261916. PMC: 8754329
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Herzog HA. (2006) Forty-two thousand one Dalmatians: fashions, social contagion, and the popularity of dog breeds. Society and Animals 14: 383-397
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Hammond A et al. (2022) Comparison of behavioral trends between "dangerous dogs" and other domestic dog breeds. Evolutionary Applications, 15(11):1806-1819. PubMed 36426126
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Kogan L et al. (2019) Perceptions, experiences, and views of small animal veterinarians regarding common dog breeds, canine aggression, and breed-specific laws. Animals (Basel). PMC: 6861953
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Tiira K et al. (2022) Aggression, ADHD-like behaviors, and environment influence repetitive behaviors in dogs. Scientific Reports. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07443-6
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ArhantC et al. (2010) Behavior of small and large dogs: effects of training methods, owner behavior inconsistency, and level of involvement in activities with the dog. Applied Animal Behavior Science 123(2-3): 131-142
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Cour MH. (1999) Anesthesia of the Greyhound. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 14(1):38-43. PMID: 10193044
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AVMA. Why breed-specific legislation is not the solution. Position statement. avma.org
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Order of April 27, 1999 establishing the list of types of dogs likely to be dangerous. Légifrance. JORFTEXT000000210847
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I-CAD. Dangerous dog law: what it implies. Confirmation that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not included in either of the two regulated categories. i-cad.fr
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Centrale Canine: Top 20 of French favorite dogs 2025; LOF statistics 2024 by breed.
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The SPA: 2024 Activity Report.
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American Kennel Club (AKC): Siberian Husky; Australian Shepherd; Herding dog breed resources.
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