  We discuss the linearity and discreteness of amalgamated products of linear
word-hyperbolic groups. In particular, we prove that the double of an Anosov
group along a maximal cyclic subgroup is always linear, and we construct
examples of such groups which do not admit any discrete and faithful
representation in rank 1. We also build new examples of non-linear
word-hyperbolic groups, elaborating on a previous work of
Canary--Stover--Tsouvalas.
