| Summary: | In veterinary medicine, the issue of antimicrobial resistance was mainly addressed in food-producing animals (although companion animals also deserve attention). Indeed, these species may be reservoir of resistant microorganisms, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC (ESBL/AmpC)-producing bacteria. Dogs in particular may transmit them to close-contact humans. Overall 266 faecal samples of healthy dogs were microbiologically and molecularly analyzed to investigate ESBL/AmpC-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> and the effects of host and environmental factors on their spread. A prevalence of 25.9% of ESBL/AmpC-producing <i>E. coli</i>, supported by <i>bla</i><sub>CTX-M</sub> (79.7%), <i>bla</i><sub>TEM</sub> (47.8%), <i>bla</i><sub>CMY</sub> (13%), and <i>bla</i><sub>SHV</sub> (5.8%) gene detection, emerged. Dogs frequenting extra-urban environments showed significantly higher odds of being positive to ESBL/AmpC <i>E. coli</i> (30.2%) compared to urban dogs (16.7%) identifying the environment as a risk factor. About 88.4% of isolates were resistant to cephalosporins, 8.7% to cephalosporins and carbapenems, and 2.9% to cephalosporins, carbapenems, and penicillins. ESBL/AmpC-producing <i>E. coli</i> expressing <i>bla</i><sub>CMY</sub> were significantly more resistant to cefoxitin, cefotaxime/clavulanic acid and ceftazidime/clavulanic acid, highlighting its negative effects. Our results suggest the role of domestic dogs as a maintenance host of ESBL/AmpC-producing <i>E. coli</i> leading to a constant health monitoring. The recorded resistances to carbapenems implies attention and further investigations.
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