The Société Centrale Canine (SCC) keeps the LOF, the official studbook for pedigree dogs in France, and each year it publishes the breeds most often entered in it. In 2025 the Golden Retriever took first place with 15,062 registrations, ending the Australian Shepherd's seven years at the top. The Australian Shepherd is now second with 14,609, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is third with 8,694.
An LOF registration records a pedigree dog, in most cases a puppy born to registered parents. Press reports put the total for 2025 at 141,491 registrations, and the SCC says the overall figure fell by 3 percent. Many dogs in French homes have no LOF pedigree, so this list shows which pedigree breeds are in demand, not how many dogs of each breed live in France.
Top 10 breeds in 2025
No. 1: Golden Retriever
A gentle, eager-to-please family dog with a long coat that sheds a lot and needs regular brushing.
No. 2: Australian Shepherd
No. 1 in France for seven years until 2025; the SCC reports a 7 percent fall this year.
No. 3: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
A muscular, people-loving terrier of medium size, known for its affection toward its family.
No. 4: English Cocker Spaniel
Up 12 percent in 2025; the SCC says the breed is winning over more and more owners.
No. 5: Belgian Shepherd Dog
An agile, alert working dog in four coat varieties, including the Malinois, that needs an active owner.
No. 6: Labrador Retriever
A friendly, food-loving retriever that needs daily exercise and is widely used as an assistance dog.
No. 7: Miniature American Shepherd
Up 11 percent in 2025, which the SCC describes as continued strong growth.
No. 8: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate small spaniel that adapts to most homes and enjoys both walks and sofas.
No. 9: German Shepherd Dog
A loyal, intelligent working dog that needs training, a job to do and plenty of activity.
No. 10: Dachshund
A long-backed, short-legged hound with a big bark and an independent mind; comes in smooth, long and wire coats.
Reading this year’s list
The change at the top was narrow: only 453 registrations separate the Golden Retriever from the Australian Shepherd. According to the SCC, the Golden grew by 5 percent while the Australian Shepherd fell by 7 percent. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Belgian Shepherd Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel each fell by 5 percent, and the German Shepherd Dog dropped the most, by 11 percent.
Other breeds are rising. The SCC says the English Cocker Spaniel, up 12 percent, is winning over more and more owners, and that the Miniature American Shepherd, up 11 percent, continues its strong growth. The Dachshund gained 10 percent and the Labrador Retriever 1 percent. Two entries combine several varieties: the Belgian Shepherd Dog figure includes all its coat types, and the Dachshund figure includes all sizes and coats.
One notable detail is that no French breed appears in the top 10. The French Bulldog and the Poodle, both recorded as French in origin, are absent, while two herding breeds developed in the United States, the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature American Shepherd, together account for more than 20,000 registrations. Overall the list leans toward active, medium to large family and working dogs rather than small companions.
About the No. 1 breed: Golden Retriever
- Size
- Large
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
- Origin
- United Kingdom
Temperament
Golden Retrievers are warm, patient and eager to please. They usually love people of all ages and are tolerant with children, though their size and enthusiasm mean young children still need supervision. They are sensitive dogs that respond best to gentle, reward-based training. Most make poor watchdogs: they are more likely to welcome a visitor than warn you about one.
Size and build
A balanced, powerful retriever with a kind expression and a flat or wavy golden coat, feathered on the legs, chest and tail. Males stand roughly 56 to 61 cm and females about 51 to 56 cm at the shoulder. Adults usually weigh around 25 to 36 kg.
Daily care
A Golden needs an hour or more of exercise every day, ideally with swimming or retrieving. The long double coat sheds all year and heavily twice a year, so brush it several times a week. After country walks in summer, check the ears, paws and coat for grass seeds. In hot southern summers, walk in the cool of the morning or evening. A Golden can live in a city flat if it gets enough time outdoors.
Who it suits
Families and active adults who want a sociable dog and can offer daily outings, company for most of the day and patience with shed hair. A Golden is not ideal for people who are away for long hours, who want a tidy, low-shedding dog or who have no time for grooming.
Health in general terms
Hip and elbow dysplasia and some inherited eye problems are known concerns in the breed. Cancer is also reported more often in Goldens than in many other breeds, so a new lump or a change in energy is worth showing to a vet without delay. Ear and skin problems can follow swimming or allergies. Ask breeders for the results of the parents' hip, elbow and eye checks.
This is general breed information, not medical advice. Ask a veterinarian about your own dog, and ask any breeder about the health tests used for the parents.
Why the Golden Retriever is popular in France
The SCC does give a reason for the Golden Retriever's popularity in France. In its 2025 announcement the SCC describes the Golden Retriever as a family dog known for being gentle and affectionate. In this year's figures it sits alongside the English Cocker Spaniel as a growing family breed, while several working breeds, including the Belgian Shepherd Dog and the German Shepherd Dog, declined.
The SCC does not explain why the Australian Shepherd lost ground. One practical difference is that a Golden usually asks less of its owners than an Aussie does. Both need daily exercise, but a Golden is often content with long walks and games, while an Australian Shepherd tends to need a job or a dog sport. For families who want a large, friendly dog for walks, country holidays and time with children, the Golden is the simpler match.
What these rankings measure
National kennel club breed rankings are registration rankings, not a census of the dogs living in each country. Only purebred puppies registered with the national kennel club are counted. Mixed-breed dogs, dogs from shelters and most dogs bred outside the club system never appear. Rules and fees differ between clubs, so the numbers are best compared within one country, not across countries.
Useful tools
See also: Gallic rooster: National Bird of France