Chihuahuas, whether short-haired or long-haired, are gaining popularity among pet lovers in the Eastern Pyrenees, taking the second spot among favorite dog breeds in the region. Meanwhile, the European Shorthair Cat continues to dominate as the top feline choice, according to Identification of Domestic Predators (ICAD).
Nationwide Favorites in France
ICAD, established in 2012 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in collaboration with the Central Canine Society (SCC) and the National Union of Independent Veterinarians (SNVEL), releases annual rankings of popular pet breeds.
In 2024, the most popular dog breeds across France were:
Australian Shepherd — 33,548 identifications.
Chihuahua — 31,460.
Border Collie — 30,808.
Among cats, the European Shorthair remained the clear favorite with 773,181 identifications, followed by:
Maine Coon — 40,219.
Sacred Birman Cat — 10,191.
Eastern Pyrenees: Shifting Trends
In the Eastern Pyrenees, the popularity of Australian Shepherds has declined, dropping to fourth place with 314 identifications. Leading the region are:
Chihuahua — 484 identifications.
Border Collie — 366.
Mixed Shepherd — 319.
For cats, the European Shorthair remains the unchallenged favorite:
European Cat — 7,717 identifications.
Maine Coon — 420.
Siamese Cat — 103.
Trends in Pet Names
The most popular names for cats in the Catalonian region are:
Nala, Simba, Venus, Tigru, and Vanilla.
For dogs, the top names are:
Vanilla, Vicky, Volt, Venus, and Nala.
These naming trends highlight the region’s fondness for fashionable and meaningful names for their beloved pets.