In 2024, France had 9.9 million registered pet dogs. This figure, from the National Identification File, reflects a stable dog population but a rapidly changing ecosystem: new regulations, evolving favorite breeds, increasing medicalization, and an unprecedented European framework.
Increasing canine medicalization despite declining veterinary visits
The paradox of 2024 can be summed up in one line: fewer veterinary visits, but more advanced procedures. The profession has documented a decrease in canine consultations, accompanied by an increase in the average spending per visit. Owners are consulting less often but investing more in additional examinations, comprehensive health assessments, and specialized treatments.
This trend reflects a change in behavior. Dog owners are making different spending choices: rather than systematic follow-ups, they prefer targeted consultations with a higher level of medical demand. Pet health insurance supports this movement, as coverage for veterinary expenses remains one of the growing segments in the pet industry.
To keep track of these developments over the months, news on Attitude Canine helps keep you informed about canine health and well-being issues.
Favorite dog breeds of the French: the 2024 ranking
The National Identification File has published the ranking of the most registered breeds in 2024. The Australian Shepherd retains the top spot with 33,548 new identifications. The Chihuahua follows with 31,460 registrations, then the Border Collie with 30,818.
Two notable entries in the top 10: the Labrador Retriever and the Jack Russell Terrier, which disrupt a ranking that has been dominated by the same profiles for several years.
The rest of the top 10 confirms the diversity of sizes sought by French households:
- The Golden Retriever and the Spitz remain at the top of the ranking, representing two very different morphologies and temperaments.
- The Beagle and the French Bulldog maintain a loyal base of owners, despite ongoing debates about the respiratory health of brachycephalic breeds.
- The German Shepherd, long the historical number one in LOF registrations, continues its gradual decline in the ranking.
This ranking also varies by region. In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes or Burgundy-Franche-Comté, working and herding breeds dominate more than in densely populated urban areas, where smaller breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier or Chihuahua remain favored.
Ban on sales in pet shops: what has changed concretely in 2024
A law passed in 2021 mandated the prohibition of the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. The effective enforcement took place in 2024, with penalties now applied. Pet shops that continue to sell dogs or cats face fines of up to 1,500 euros.
The display of animals visible from public roads is also penalized. This measure aims to reduce impulsive purchases and guide future owners towards identified breeders or shelters.
On the ground, enforcement remains uneven. The Ministry of Agriculture has reiterated the regulatory framework, but inspections depend on the departmental directorates for population protection. Animal protection associations continue to report violations, particularly in suburban commercial areas.
European Regulation 2026/1818: an unprecedented framework for canine traceability
Published in the Official Journal of the European Union on August 10, 2026, the Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 establishes the first unified European framework on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. This text harmonizes the rules for identification, registration, and regulation of breeding across the twenty-seven member states.
Until now, each country applied its own standards. France already had an identification system using microchips and the I-CAD file, but other European countries did not impose any comparable obligations. The regulation addresses this disparity.
The main obligations introduced by this text focus on three areas:
- Mandatory identification of all dogs and cats in the European territory, with a standardized European passport.
- Registration of breeders in a national database connected to a common European register.
- Minimum welfare criteria for breeding facilities, including standards for space, socialization, and veterinary follow-up.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has confirmed that France will adapt its national regulations to comply with this new framework. For owners, the most visible change will concern intra-European travel: travel formalities with a dog will be standardized, allowing for travel with up to five pets.
Dietary supplements and canine nutrition: the underlying trend
The Interzoo 2024 trade fair, held in Nuremberg from May 7 to 10, highlighted the rise of dietary supplements for dogs. More than 2,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries showcased expanded ranges: probiotics, fatty acids, joint supplements, and grain-free formulations.
This trend responds to the increasing medicalization mentioned earlier. Owners are no longer satisfied with standard diets. They are looking for products targeted at specific issues: digestion, joint mobility in large breeds, stress management, or immune support for puppies.
Sustainability also shapes the offerings. Manufacturers are incorporating recyclable packaging, alternative proteins (insects, algae), and shorter supply chains. Canine food is following, with a few years’ delay, the same trends as human food.
The canine world in 2024 is defined less by breaks than by an acceleration of already ongoing movements. Medicalization is progressing, regulations are tightening at both the national and European levels, and owners’ expectations regarding nutrition and traceability are aligning with those they apply to their own daily lives. Regulation 2026/1818 will likely mark a concrete turning point in the coming years, imposing a common foundation where a mosaic of national standards once reigned.
