There have been several American bands with the same name; this combo from Normandy, however, is one of the French new wave's minor legends. Their '77 — '78 indie maxi-singles displayed a quartet made of tougher, rawer but more authoritative fiber than more commercially successful Gallic neo-rockers like Bijou and Telephone. As a trio, they chopped out a pair of punchy LPs, the second with more savvy and polish than the first.

Once again a two-guitar quartet, the Dogs cut a third LP with ex-heavy metal engineer Tony Platt producing, and consequently achieved the cutting yet resonant guitar sound they deserve. They're like an amped-up, French-accented, late-'70s Flamin Groovies (see "Death Lane") but not nearly as wimpy, and influenced more by the early Stones (e.g., the "Last Time" chord cops — with Byrds/Leaves vocals — on "Wanderin' Robin"). Following another studio LP, the Dogs issued a ten-song live album, Shout.