Based on a large-scale bibliometric dataset, domestic dogs (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>) emerge as the most frequently cited host species in the context of zoonoses, being mentioned in at least 10% of publications for nearly a quarter of the pathogens recognized as zoonotic to humans. This review examines the contributions of pet and stray dogs to various zoonotic transmission pathways, highlighting some mismatches between research focus and actual epidemiological risks. Among zoonotic agents associated with dogs, helminths are disproportionately represented in the literature compared to bacteria and viruses. Pet and stray dogs exhibit distinct zoonotic risks due to differences in exposure patterns and human interactions. Stray dogs are frequently involved in environmentally transmitted diseases, particularly soil- and water-borne parasites, due to uncontrolled defecation and opportunistic behavior. Conversely, pet dogs pose greater risks for direct transmission, particularly via bites, close contact infections, and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. From a public health perspective, integrating dogs into One Health surveillance frameworks is crucial. Routine genomic monitoring of stray dogs could allow early detection of emerging zoonoses, while large-scale deworming programs, improved sanitation infrastructures, and responsible pet management would mitigate both environmental and direct transmission risks. Vector-borne zoonoses require differentiated control measures, including antiparasitic treatments for tick- and flea-borne infections and environmental interventions for mosquito- and sandfly-borne pathogens. This review focuses on pet and stray dogs only, due to the lack of consistent definitions and data availability for other canine categories. Future research should refine ecological and behavioral studies and dog-host interaction analyses to better quantify the zoonotic risks associated with each dog ecotype and guide targeted intervention strategies. This Canis lupus familiaris harbors the greatest diversity of zoonotic infectious agents among all animal species [ 10 ]. In this sense, canine populations generally do not constitute an independent reservoir, in which pathogens can persist in the long term: rather, they are part of a broader maintenance complex [ 11 ]. As one of the animals interacting most closely with humans within multi-species maintenance communities, the domestic dog is often a major source of zoonotic infections [ 12 , 13 ]. Dog bites, for instance, are a common source of bacterial infections [ 17 , 18 ], in addition to being responsible for almost all cases of human rabies [ 19 ]. “Man's best friend” also play a significant role in the epidemiology of brucellosis [ 20 , 21 ], leptospirosis [ 22 , 23 ], and Q fever [ 24 , 25 ], all diseases transmitted through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals. Moreover, dogs are recognized as maintenance hosts for numerous (re)emerging zoonotic vector-borne diseases [ 26 , 27 ], including ehrlichiosis [ 28 , 29 ], dirofilariasis [ 30 , 31 ], and leishmaniasis [ 32 , 33 ]. Far from being an homogeneous entity, the global dog population encompasses a wide range of socio-ecological profiles and lifestyles, each characterized by specific behaviors, habitat preferences, and interactions with humans and other animal species [ 38 , 43 – 45 ], thereby influencing disease transmission mechanisms in varied ways. For instance, pet dogs may be especially more prone to transmit pathogens directly to their owners through close contacts [ 50 ], whereas the free defecation of stray dogs in the environment is believed to facilitate the completion of the life cycle of parasites that can be transmitted to humans via foodborne pathways [ 51 ]. Given the diversity and complexity of transmission patterns involving dogs, assessing the overall public health impact attributable to C. lupus familiaris appears neither realistic nor appropriate. The results of the Model 1 indicate that pathogens transmitted through bites ( p =0.150), via ectoparasites ( p =0.084) or contact with soil ( p =0.078), are associated with the highest frequencies of dog mentions (Figure and summary in Supporting Information 2 ). Moreover, Model 2 shows that dogs are significantly more frequently cited than pigs ( p > 0.5) for these three transmission modes, as well as for fish or seafood consumption, flying vector borne and accidental ingestion ( Figure 5 ). While dogs are often implicated in vector-borne, environmental, and bite-related zoonoses, livestock—primarily represented by pigs—tend to be more frequently involved in foodborne, hygiene-related, and close-contact transmissions, reflecting the exposure contexts typical of farming systems. 4.2. Canine Ecotypes and Their Epidemiological Roles in Zoonotic Transmission The global dog population displays considerable ecological heterogeneity, with individuals variably connected to both pathogen maintenance complexes and human populations, depending on their lifestyle and level of integration [ 44 , 45 ]. Improving sanitation infrastructures, including proper waste disposal and the management of dog feces in urban and peri-urban areas, appears to be essential to curbing soil and water contamination [ 78 , 87 ]. Finally, community awareness programs can encourage responsible pet ownership by promoting movement control and appropriate veterinary monitoring This review introduces the concept of a canine epidemiological gateway, emphasizing the role of dogs in facilitating the transmission of environmental pathogens to humans. Each dog ecotype—defined by its lifestyle, mobility, social integration, and access to veterinary care—contributes differently to the emergence and spread of zoonotic agents. A refined classification of these ecotypes, incorporating key behavioral and ecological traits, would improve our ability to identify their specific roles in pathogen transmission [ 46 , 47 , 134 ].