Every dog can get lost. But some breeds show up far more often in lost-pet reports. Here is what the official figures say, and what it means if your dog is one of them.
The breeds most reported lost in France
France's national pet identification registry, I-CAD, publishes every year the breeds most often reported lost by their owners.
In 2025:
- Border Collie: 1,102 reports
- Siberian Husky: 929
- Chihuahua: 844
In 2023: Border Collie (827), Chihuahua (773), Siberian Husky (717), Australian Shepherd (634) and Jack Russell Terrier (573).
The same three breeds top the list year after year. Popular breeds naturally appear more often, but their temperament also plays a big part.
Why these breeds run away
- Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Shiba, Akita: sled and northern breeds were bred to run long distances. They are known to dig, jump fences and head straight off.
- Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois: herding dogs with huge energy. A bored herding dog, or one that spots something moving, can be gone in seconds.
- Beagle, Basset Hound, scent hounds: once their nose is on a trail, they no longer hear you.
- Greyhound, Whippet, Galgo, sighthounds: they sprint at full speed after anything that runs.
- Jack Russell and terriers: strong hunting instinct, they slip through hedges and dig under fences.
- Chihuahua, Yorkshire, small dogs: they squeeze through tiny gaps in gates and hedges, and are harder to spot once outside.
How to protect an escape-prone dog
- Check your fence and gate regularly, at the bottom as much as the top.
- Keep your dog on a lead in unfenced areas until its recall is reliable.
- Give high-energy breeds enough exercise and mental stimulation.
- Keep its microchip details up to date.
- Use a GPS tracker: with PawTrack, you get an alert the moment your dog leaves the safe zone, and see it live on your phone. For very small dogs like Chihuahuas, attach it to a harness.
If your dog does go missing, act fast: see our guide what to do in the first hours.
For details on 4G tracking, safe-zone alerts and everyday use, see our GPS tracker for dogs guide.
Sources: I-CAD (French national pet identification registry), 2023 lost-pet infographic and 2026 identification barometer (2025 figures).