The dog is a Neapolitan mastiff.
Claude Berri wanted to adapt the book by John Fante 20 years earlier in the United States (Peter Falk was then considered in the leading role). But, since Berri did not speak English well enough, he then proposed to Yvan Attal to take it over. But, at the time (1985) Attal was not excited at all by the project.
Charlotte Gainsbourg (Cécile) and Yvan Attal (Henri) are real-life husband and wife since 1991. In addition, Ben Attal (Raphaël) is their real-life son.