19 Most Popular Dog Breeds In Australia (2024 Update)
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Since the pandemic, pet ownership has been on the rise all over the world, including in Australia. This is because many people have decided that it’s the ideal time to adopt a new dog as working from home is trending.
If you’re living in Australia and are thinking of getting a dog, you may be wondering what dog breeds are the most popular in The Land Down Under. We’ve put together the 19 most popular dog breeds in Australia so you can see what breeds people like the most. Many of the most popular breeds are purebreds, while others are newer crossbreeds.
The 19 Most Popular Dogs in Australia
1. Cavapoo
It’s no wonder the Cavapoo is a wildly popular breed of dog in Australia. This wonderful dog is not only adorable, but it also has a charming personality, it’s smart, and loves everyone in the house, including other pets.
The Cavapoo is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. This crossbreed is small to medium in size and has a thick, soft coat that can be wavy or straight.
This breed may be right for you if you’re looking for a family dog that’s lively and very affectionate. This little guy can adapt to living in an apartment as long as you can provide him with plenty of daily exercise.
Cavapoos tend to be vocal so expect yours to do his fair share of barking. If you get one of these dogs when young, do plenty of social training because the breed is prone to separation anxiety.
2. Golden Retriever
The happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever is an even-tempered dog that’s smart and loyal. This dog loves learning new things, making him a great candidate for all kinds of dog training, whether it’s obedience training, agility, or retrieving. This dog was originally bred in Scotland during the 19th century to use while hunting fowl.
The Golden Retriever is a medium to large dog with a wavy, water-resistant double coat. A Golden Retriever may be cream-coloured, pale white, or deep gold. This dog breed is placid and friendly and a true joy to spend time with. It’s a non-aggressive dog that is eager to please and follow you anywhere you go as it’s always ready for adventure!
- Related Read: 3 Types of Golden Retrievers (With Pictures)
3. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, or Frenchie as it’s also called, is one of Australia’s most popular breeds for many reasons. A Frenchie is a small and sturdy dog that’s comical, entertaining, and dependable. This dog can be just as happy living in a city apartment as it can on a farm. He may look a bit chunky, but the French Bulldog is a muscular, strong breed.
Frenchies are friendly with most people, although they’re quite reserved. If you have a Frenchie living in your home, you can expect him to bark when visitors come. Otherwise, this cute little guy will be quiet most of the time.
This breed can be challenging to train because it’s known for its stubbornness. But it learns fast and thrives on positive reinforcement. When you have one of these flat-faced dogs, you can expect to hear lots of snorting, snuffing, and passing gas because that’s what Frenchies do!
4. Labrador Retriever
Who doesn’t love a Labrador Retriever? This large breed dog is one big softie that is always ready to shower you with kisses and affection. The Labrador Retriever, or Lab as it’s also called, is a dog that loves the water. In fact, labs were made for water! This dog’s otter-like tail serves as a powerful rudder along with its webbed feet to propel it swiftly through the waves. Plus, the breed has a waterproof coat that helps keep them comfortable even in the coldest lakes and rivers.
Labs are intelligent, eager-to-please dogs that make good service pets for bomb and drug detection, therapy work, and more. When you own a Lab, you must get that dog out moving every day; otherwise, he may become destructive due to frustration.
Whether you’re a single person living life in the fast lane or a family looking for a loyal friend, the super nice Labrador Retriever dog is sure to become your most loyal friend who loves joining in on all the fun you have!
5. Miniature Dachshund
If you’re on the hunt for a little dog with a big personality, the Miniature Dachshund is a breed to check out. This dog is small in stature but big on energy, love, loyalty, and smarts! The Miniature Dachshund can be a protective pet that will gladly guard his property and human family. This dog doesn’t care much for small kids but gets along famously with older children who are more predictable.
Bred to hunt badgers, the Miniature Dachshund is an athletic dog that can be smooth, long-haired, or wire-haired. The breed can be black and tan, cream, red, or chocolate and tan.
With its low-slung body and big floppy ears, the Miniature Dachshund is a cute and lively dog that loves pleasing its owner. Even though this dog is small, it can make your home feel full with its mischievous antics and surprisingly loud bark.
6. Maltese
The fluffy little Maltese is an intelligent, gentle, and trusting dog that loves running and playing. Known for its long silky white hair, this dog belongs to the toy group of breeds. Even though Maltese are short in size, it has a big personality with plenty of energy. This is a dog that makes the ideal pet for an apartment, as long as it is allowed to go outside to walk and play.
Under all the Maltese’s long white hair is a compact body that moves smoothly and effortlessly. This small dog makes a good watchdog with his fearless personality. He’s also a little charmer that loves spending time on the lap of his favourite human. When you own a Maltese, you’ll have a devoted pal for life.
7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Staffy as it’s often called, is a medium-sized dog with a strong, stocky, muscular body and a short, broad head. It’s a shorthair breed originating in the Staffordshire area in England. Nicknamed “the nanny dog” the Staffy has a reputation as being a great playmate and guardian for kids. This is an energetic and enthusiastic dog that is always courageous and on alert.
Staffies look tough, but in reality, they’re exceptionally loving and playful. These smart dogs come in many colours, including grey, black, blue, red, and white. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be boisterous around people out of sheer excitement so it’s important to train this dog, so they won’t jump up on people and knock them over. Luckily, Staffies are fast learners and very obedient, making them excellent candidates for training.
8. Border Collie
The energetic and athletic Border Collie is a happy, smart, and hard-working dog known for his herding skills. This dog makes a wonderful pet for anyone willing to provide him with ample exercise and mental stimulation.
This breed originated in England and Scotland. It has a coarse, medium-length double coat that needs regular grooming. The Border Collie has lots of energy and is happiest when it’s allowed to run free in a large yard or open land.
This highly intelligent dog needs to be engaged both physically and mentally every day to keep it healthy and happy. This dog also loves learning new things and is an excellent candidate for training of all sorts, from obedience to agility and everything in between.
9. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a dog breed that’s always popular in Australia and elsewhere. This strong and noble dog is confident, intelligent, loyal, and brave. Everyone who has ever owned a German Shepherd knows how special this breed is as it’s a dog that develops a very strong bond with its owner.
As a smart dog, a German Shepherd can learn new things very quickly. This breed loves working and pleasing its owner so training a German Shepherd is relatively easy. This dog has a short to medium-length double coat that can be black, black and tan, black and red, liver and tan, sable, white, or black.
If you’re looking for a friendly and loyal companion, a German Shepherd could be perfect for you. Just remember that this breed needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation to live a long and healthy life.
10. Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. This new crossbreed was developed in the United States in the 1990s and is sometimes called the Groodle. A Goldendoodle is bred in three different size varieties, which correspond to the size variety of the Poodle used as a parent.
If you’re looking for an affectionate, loving, and happy dog with a hypoallergenic coat, a Goldendoodle may be a great pick. This dog loves to cuddle but its favorite pastime is running and playing with anyone who gives it attention. This is a happy, friendly, and intelligent dog that can be cream, red, black, gold, brown, white, or a combination of colors. It’s highly trainable, great fun to own, and a dog you’ll grow very attached to.
11. Australian Kelpie
Of course, the Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie as it’s also called is one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia. This medium-sized dog is used by farmers for mustering sheep, cattle, and goats. The Australian Kelpie is very intelligent and loves getting lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
This dog has a short double coat that can be black, fawn, black and tan, chocolate, cream, blue, or brown. Regardless of what colour a Kelpie is, this dog is always alert and ready for action! When you own a Kelpie, you need to keep on your toes and give the dog lots of exercise. It’s not a dog for apartment living as it would be very unhappy being cooped up inside.
12. Jack Russell Terrier
The little and mighty Jack Russell Terrier makes a great pet for an active family. Also called simply the Jack Russell, this dog is lively, independent, and smart. It can also be a stubborn, fearless, and vocal dog that spends much of its time watching over its clan.
The Jack Russell is a mostly white dog with brown or tan markings. It has a muscular, lean body and a super-friendly personality. This is a tough and tenacious little guy who loves working as the breed was developed by hunters to flush out foxes.
A Jack Russell needs plenty of exercise and is happiest living in a home with a large, fenced yard. If you get a Jack Russell, you’ll have a devoted little friend who’s eager to join you on all your outdoor adventures.
13. Spoodle
The comically named Spoodle dog breed is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (toy or miniature). This cute dog has a long shaggy and wavy coat that can be gold, blonde, brown, or black, with or without white markings. You’ll have oodles of fun if you own a Spoodle because this is a fun-loving dog with an outgoing personality.
A Spoodle can adapt to living in a small space as long as it receives adequate daily exercise. Spoodles make good guard dogs as they tend to bark when visitors arrive. However, this dog is not aggressive at all. In fact, a Spoodle may welcome a total stranger into the home just to get some attention!
A Spoodle may be perfect for you if you’re looking for a very friendly dog with a big personality. It’s a breed that gets along well with people of all ages and other pets, including dogs.
14. Pug
The Pug is an ancient breed originating in China. This unique-looking dog has a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, big saucer-like brown eyes, and a curled tail. Its short glossy coat can be light brown or black and its muscles are very well developed.
A Pug is a charming dog that’s social, affectionate, loving, quiet, and calm. It makes a great pet for apartment living or for someone who doesn’t want an overly active dog. Long ago, Chinese emperors kept Pugs as pets and treated them very lavishly. Sometimes these pampered pooches were even given their own miniature palaces to live in, complete with guards!
If you’ve been lucky enough to meet a litter of Pug puppies, you know how easy it is to fall in love with this breed that looks like a charming little butterball with a squished face!
15. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or King Charles Spaniel, is a charming dog with flowing fur and soft brown eyes. This small lap dog was brought from France to Scotland in the 1500s by the Queen of Scots. These dogs were favored by royalty for their regal good looks and loyalty.
The Cavalier King Charles got its name from King Charles II, who was very fond of the breed. The king had at least three of these dogs that went everywhere with him. This adorable dog, with its long soft coat that’s chestnut, black and tan, tricolor, or ruby, is gentle, graceful, sociable, affectionate, and playful.
If you get a King Charles Spaniel, you’ll enjoy having a friendly and fearless friend who will always be by your side.
16. Miniature Poodle
It may be small in stature, but the Miniature Poodle packs a big punch when it comes to personality and tenaciousness. This noble-looking dog with a slender muzzle and long neck is a real head-turner with its profuse curly coat of fur. A Miniature Poodle can have many colors, including red, brown, black, white, cream, or grey.
The Miniature Poodle is a lively, sociable, and affectionate dog that loves to play. It wants to be included in all family activities and doesn’t like to take no for an answer. This little curly dog bonds closely with its owner and gets along well with kids and other pets.
If you’re looking for a cheerful and adorable four-legged friend who will follow you to the ends of the earth and back, a Miniature Poodle may be the perfect fit for you!
17. Miniature Fox Terrier
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a small dog with a short, dense, smooth coat. This little dog can be black, white, brown, or a combination of colors. This is a muscular dog with a distinctive head and erectile ears that can stand straight up or fold at the tips.
Bred for hunting rabbits and killing rats and mice, the Miniature Fox Terrier is a speedy and agile dog. It thrives on positive reinforcement and loves being rewarded with pats and treats. This dog makes a great pet for an active family that spends lots of time outdoors.
This breed shouldn’t share a home with small pets like mice and gerbils because it will likely see them as prey. It can live in harmony with larger pets like cats and other dogs. If you allow a Miniature Fox Terrier to run loose outside, be prepared for it to return home with some unwelcome gifts like birds and mice.
18. Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is a spunky and friendly dog that loves to romp and play. If you own one of these dogs, it will always be up for an adventure because it’s energetic and playful by nature. While a Rat Terrier is eager to please, he has that terrier stubbornness about him. This dog is smart, but it may take time to get him housebroken because he’s strong-willed.
A Rat Terrier’s coat is short, dense, and smooth. It can be white, black and tan, black and rust, white, black, red, blue, chocolate, or orange. This breed is ideal for an active family with a large fenced-in space for the dog to run and play. Just be warned that the Rat Terrier likes to dig. It can also become destructive when it feels bored, so give your Rat Terrier plenty of dog toys to keep it busy!
19. Koolie
The Koolie is a medium-sized working or herding dog that’s been in Australia since the early 19th century. As of yet, the Koolie isn’t recognized as a breed by any major kennel club. However, that’s bound to happen sooner or later as this is a dog many Australians are choosing to own and love.
A Koolie may be a good fit for you if you want a working dog that’s smart, active, and loyal. This dog has a coat that ranges from short to medium length. The colors of this dog can be black, red, chocolate, cream, fawn, black and white, red and white, or tri-colored with red, black, and white markings with brown points.
The Koolie is intelligent and needs structure, guidance, and training. If you take a steady and supportive approach with a Koolie, you’ll get a well-behaved, loving dog that’s devoted to the entire family.
Conclusion
Maybe you found your dog on this list of popular breeds in Australia or maybe you’ve picked out your next pet. While this list may change every year, the most popular dogs tend to stay on top because they have lots to offer. If you’re on the hunt for your next pet dog, we hope this list has helped narrow down your choices!
Whatever breed you choose, you’re sure to adopt a great pet that will be your loyal friend for life!
See also:
- 89 Dog Breeds that Start with M: A Complete List (with Pictures)
- What Were Australian Shepherds Bred For? Breed History Explained
Featured Image Credit: Petr Jilek, Shutterstock
