The Most Common Dog Breeds In Australia

There is little doubt that Australians love dogs. You see them everywhere and so many people have a dog of some description as a member of their family. Dogs are loyal, faithful and a lot of fun to have around. Aussies also like their diversity and that’s evident in the massive number of different dog breeds we see in the country. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and common dog breeds in Australia and which ones people prefer to choose as pets. Keep in mind that popularity changes regularly, and what might be the number one most popular breed this month may not be the next.

This post isn’t limited to Australian native dog breeds, but breeds from all over the world. The majority of dog breeds in Australia originated from abroad anyway and were brought into the country.

Labrador

The humble and gentle Labrador has been a favourite in Aussie households for as long as anyone can remember. One of the reasons Labradors are so common as household pets is they are great with small children, are patient and generally have a passive disposition. All in all, they are one of the best family dogs.

While protective of their loved ones and their territory, Labradors are quite sociable and friendly and enjoy meeting new people. They are not likely to try and eat your dinner guests.

Border Collie

Border Collies originate from Britain and have primarily been put to work on farms as herding dogs, both in Britain and Australia. For this reason they are often referred to as sheepdogs. The Border Collie is bursting with energy, loves to exercise and have fun and they are also extremely intelligent, making them easy to train.

These days, the majority of Border Collies in the country are found in the home rather than out working the farms. They make for lovable and loyal pets and are considered to be a good family dog.

Maltese Cross

A Maltese Cross is a mixed breed of dog and can involve a number of different breeds being bred with a purebred Maltese Terrier. Usually, these little dogs are quite excitable and can bark a lot if not trained to behave.

With such a vast selection of Maltese Cross dogs to choose from, there are loads of different looks and personalities. They are fun and spirited dogs and make for awesome pets, which is why they are so common and popular in Aussie households.

Cavoodle

The Cavoodle is super cute and gentle. These dogs love everyone and will practically lick you to death. The Cavoodle breed was created by mixing a Poodle with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This gives them their unique colouring and cute and cuddly appearance.

Once again, the Cavoodle is an excellent family dog, as they get along well with people of all ages, from babies right up to the elderly. If you’re looking for a fun dog to add to the family, you can’t go wrong with a Cavoodle.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Known for being fearless and loyal, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been a favourite among Aussies for some time. Commonly just called “Staffies”, these dogs are active, bold, protective and very strong and athletic. They love their owners with a passion that’s hard to beat and are actually very good with children.

Staffies make fantastic companions and playmates and are often brought into the home to play the role of guard dog. They are an extremely low maintenance breed of canine and don’t require a lot of pampering to look after them.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are often confused with Labradors, although they are actually a different dog breed. These dogs were born to hunt but make for incredible and loving pets, which is why they’ve been one of the most popular choices in Australia for many decades.

They are great with kids, love to exercise and run around and are known to be eager to please. Once again, this breed is low maintenance and the Golden Retriever is well known for being a very healthy breed of dog. Because of their intelligence, their learning ability and their gentle nature, they are often chosen as service dogs and therapy dogs.

German Shepherd

Like Staffies, German Shepherds are extremely loyal and protective and are one of the most common choices for guard dogs, security dogs and police or military dogs. Highly intelligent, powerful and athletic, German Shepherds also make fantastic household pets. While fearless in nature, they can also be extremely gentle.

While they are not as friendly towards strangers as some other popular breeds, they are loyal, faithful and gentle with their family members. Generally, they are good with children but tend to have less patience and tolerance compared to other canines.

Jack Russell

The Jack Russell is known as an excitable bundle of muscle and energy. For a relatively small dog, they are incredibly strong and athletic and never seem to run out of energy. If you want a dog that’s playful and always up for some fun and excitement, then a Jack Russell is for you.

These dogs are very easy to train because they are highly intelligent and eager to please. Originally, they were bred as a hunting dog but more often these days, they can be found in the family home.

Labradoodle

This is another mixed breed. In this case, cute Poodles are crossed with Labradors to create the Labradoodle. While mild mannered in nature, this breed loves to be active and is very playful and loving.

They make great family pets because they are very sociable, gentle and fantastic with children and babies. Many first time dog owners opt for a Labradoodle as a pet, especially if they have small children.

The Wrap

These are just a selection of many popular and common dog breeds in Australia. Aussies definitely have a love affair with canines, and you can find just about every dog breed of the world in this great country.