Most Popular Dog Breeds in Australia

LABRADOR

Labradors are working dogs, often used as assistance dogs or search and rescue dogs. They were originally bred as retrievers for hunters and water retrieving.

They are good natured and hard working dogs that make for a friendly companion. 

They have double coats that come in three colours, (black, yellow and chocolate). Their grooming needs are generally easy but they are high shedders!

Labradors have high energy and average exercise needs, with most needing at least 40-60 minutes per day.

Personality traits of a Labrador Retriever include: Intelligent, obedient and affectionate with others and dogs.

Common health concerns for Labradors include: Cancer, laryngeal paralysis, heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA in dogs), hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament damage, arthritis.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Golden Retriever dogs love to work - they were bred for retrieving! 

They are Golden in colour (hence the name) and have a straight coat which requires moderate grooming. They are average shedders but brushing daily will minimise the house mess.

Goldens have average energy needs with most needing 40-60 minutes of exercise per day. 

Personality traits of a Golden Retriever include: Affectionate, intelligent, even-tempered, playful and gentle.

Common health concerns for Golden Retrievers include: Hip and elbow dysplasia, patella luxation, allergies and skin issues.

GREYHOUND

Greyhound dogs are one of the oldest breeds around. They are famously known for their racing but were originally bred as hunting dogs.

They are more sprinters than marathon runners as some may suspect. Their laid-back attitude desires them to sleep for around 18 hours a day! This means that they have low exercise needs and need just 20-40 minutes per day.

Their short hair allows them to have low grooming needs and makes them an average shedder. They come in all colours with the most popular being white, grey, red, fawn and brindle.

Their social needs are of a moderate level and are generally very tolerant around others.

Traits of a Greyhound include: Gentle, quiet, tolerant, fast, muscular and deep-chested.

Common health concerns for Golden Retrievers include: Bone cancer, bloat, heart disease, joint diseases (arthritis).

BORDER COLLIE

Border Collies are high energy dogs that were originally bred as sheep herders. They are commonly referred to as sheep dogs.

They have moderate grooming needs with straight double coats and come in an array of colours including; black (white or without white), red and white, bi and tri colours, merle and sable. These beauties are average shedders.

Although they have high exercise needs, their social needs are moderate. Border Collies just love to run! They should be exercised between 1 and 2 hours per day.

Personality traits of a Border Collie include: Active, smart, quick learner, territorial and energetic.

Common health concerns for Border Collies include: Bacterial and viral infections, PRA, osteochondritis dissecans, hip and elbow dysplasia and lens luxation.

FRENCH BULLDOG

French Bulldogs are attention loving lap dogs that are perfect for small households.

They have short coats with moderate grooming needs and come in colours; black (with or without white), fawn and white.

They love to be the centre of attention and don't like to compete for it! Their high social needs make them the perfect dog for making friends.

Frenchies have low exercise needs with most only needs around 20 minutes a day. Be careful not to overfeed them as their low energy output doesn’t need a high energy input!

Personality traits of a French Bulldog include: Even-tempered, attention lover, lively, sociable, snorer and playful.

Common health concerns for French Bulldogs include: Allergies, cleft palate, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and eye infections.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

Australian Shepherds make for wonderful family dogs. Originally bred for livestock herding, these dogs sport a double coat that comes in many colours; black, red, blue merle, red merle, with or without tan and white. Their grooming needs are fairly moderate and they’re your average shedder.

They are a highly energetic breed of dog with high social needs. The average Aussie Shepherd needs around 60 minutes of exercise per day and loves high energy activities such as frisbee.

Personality traits of an Australian Shepherd include: Active, easy going, easy to train, smart, needs to be busy, protective and agile.

Common health concerns for Aussie Shepherds include: Dermatitis, hip dysplasia, PRA and congenital deafness.

GERMAN SHEPHERD

German Shepherd dogs are working guard dogs originally from Germany. They are also known as Alsatians and are commonly used as police dogs due to their high intelligence. 

They have medium, double coats that come in the colours black, tan, red, sable and grey. Their grooming needs are moderate but their shed factor is high! Twice a year they also blow their coat (lose all their undercoat).

Whilst their social needs are not so high, their exercise needs are. German Shepherds would walk all day if they could so it very much depends on your availability and energy to do so. At least one hour a day will cut it so long as they are mentally stimulated or entertained throughout the day.

Personality traits of a German Shepherd include: Guarding, smart, easy to train, highly strung, active, high energy, loyal, alert and curious.

Common health concerns for German Shepherds include: Bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia and epilepsy. 

KELPIE

Kelpie dogs are known for being workaholics and would run until they drop every day if they could! They have high energy and the stamina to match, making them perfect if you love to work out.

Their short coat makes grooming easy but don’t be fooled - these dogs are shedders! Their coats come in many colours including black, chocolate, red, smokey blue, fawn and black with tan.

A Kelpie dog needs a lot of exercise - most hoping for 2 hours a day, at least! They’re easy to please if they have somewhere to run around and play such as a backyard.

Personality traits of a Kelpie include: Friendly, alert, eager, intelligent, independent, suspicious and agile.

Common health concerns for Kelpies include: Retinal atrophy, (PRA) and cerebellar abiotrophy, hip and elbow dysplasia and luxating patella.

PUG

Pug dogs are a small toy breed with big personalities. They are wonderful family dogs that are playful and affectionate with children. Their mouth shape means it is also hard for them to be aggressive with their bite and their head and face shape makes them susceptible to respiratory problems and easily injured eyes.

They have a short coat with low-moderate grooming needs. Pugs coat colours include apricot, fawn, black (with or without a muzzle/mask) and silver fawn.

Pugs require minimal exercise and much prefer to be indoors. Whilst their exercise needs fall at just 20 minutes per day, their social needs and love for attention is high.

Personality traits of a Pug include: Mischievous, charming, stubborn, affectionate, sociable, loving and outgoing.

Common health concerns for Pugs include: Eye and respiratory issues, hip dysplasia, patella luxation and obesity.

ROTTWEILER

Rottweiler dogs are medium-large breed dogs that are known as guardians. They were originally bred to herd and protect cattle. They were also amongst the earliest police dogs.

These black and tanned dogs have short coats and low grooming needs. Compared to similar dog breeds, they are moderate shedders. They tend to shed more around the Spring and Autumn seasons but a considerable amount less than its fellow dog breeds!

Rottweilers need socialisation. Their nature is to protect and Rottweilers may react aggressively to things they aren’t familiar with. The more socialisation the better.

As working dogs, their exercise needs are high. Rotties will need at least 1 hour of exercise per day - more if you can!

Personality traits of a Rottweiler include: Strong, protector, dominant, active, smart, aggressive if not socialised.

Common health concerns for Rottweilers include: Hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA, cataracts, aortic stenosis and osteochondritis dissecans (bone overgrowth).

GREAT DANE

The Great Dane descends from hunting breeds and is one of the world's largest breeds of dog. They are commonly referred to as the gentle giant. They’re social beings and love to be around other people.

Great Danes have short hair that typically comes in the colours fawn, black, blue and harlequin. They have low grooming needs and are your average shedders. They require small amounts of maintenance despite being such a large breed.

Usually 30-60 minutes of exercise a day is an adequate amount to exercise a Great Dane. They don’t need long walks as puppies as this may damage their growing joints but they do make great companions on a morning stroll. They must be obedience trained.

Personality traits of a Great Dane include: Powerful, elegant, playful, intelligent and affectionate.

Common health concerns for Great Danes include: Bloat, arthritis, allergies, hip dysplasia and heart disease.