The Top 8 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Australia for 2020

Have you been thinking of expanding your family to include a little furry pal? Dogs are one of human’s greatest companions, there’s a reason they are called man’s best friend after all. But deciding which dog will suit your home can be a difficult decision.

To help you out, Raw & Fresh have compiled a list of the top 8 most popular dog breeds in Australia for the year 2020. Browse our listicle to see which one of these pooches will best suit your little family.

1. Maltese

Malteses are small, joyful dogs that can be great for families with kids. The history of the Malteses can be traced back up to 28 centuries ago as it is an ancient breed hailing from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. This breed was mentioned by philosopher Aristotle and its images have been found painted on Ancient Greek pottery. To this day, it remains highly esteemed and sought after.

Characteristics:
Group: Toy
Height: 20 cm to 26 cm
Weight: 1.8 kg to 3.2 kg
Coat and Colour: White, long & silk single layer coat, no undercoat
Life Expectancy: 12-15 Years

2. Border Collie

Border Collies are a highly intelligent dog breed, originating from sheepdogs in the British Isles. It was developed on the border of England and Scotland, hence the name. It has a legacy of a diligent, hardy dog making it the ideal sheep herding dog breed.

Characteristics:
Group: Herding
Height: 46 cm to 56 cm
Weight: 12.7 kg to 21.8 kg
Coat and Colour: rough or smooth, medium length double coat, course outer coat and a smooth undercoat, comes in a variety of colours: black, blue, blue merle, gold, red, red merle, white, brindle, chocolate, slate merle
Life Expectancy: 10 to 17 years

3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, often affectionately called a Staffy or Staffie, is a medium-sized dog of a somewhat short stature and a muscular body. It was developed in 19th century England for the purpose of dog fighting. However, despite its appearance and initial purpose, this breed of dog is gentle, loyal. affectionate and often praised for its nanny-like instinct. They can be great with children if properly trained.

Characteristics:
Group: Terrier
Height: 36 cm to 41 cm
Weight:  10 kg to 17.2 kg
Coat and Colour: short, smooth coat, range of colours: red, fawn, white, black, blue, brindle
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

4. Cavoodle

The Cavoodle also known as a Cavapoo, is a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It became especially popular through crossbreeding programs in Australia in the late 1990s and has since become an Australian favourite. They are often lively and very affectionate pets that love being part of the family unit.

Characteristics:
Group: Toy
Height: 25 cm to 38 cm
Weight: 5 kg to 12 kg
Coat and Colour: Relatively long coat, can be: gold, tan, cream, black, brown
Life Expectancy: 13 - 15 years

5. Australian Staghound

In the 1970s, Australia’s first European settlers brought with them Greyhounds and Scottish Deerhounds, which were crossbred to create the Australian Greyhound. The original purpose of this breed was for hunting rabbits and protecting sheeps from dingos. They are high energy dogs that would best fit farmlands or homes with large backyards.

Characteristics:
Group: Hound
Height: 60 cm to 81 cm
Weight: 20 kg to 40 kg
Coat and Colour: sometimes rough, smooth or a blend of both, comes in black, blue, brittle, brown, white and yellow
Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A popular, affectionate pet, this breed has had a long. noble lineage. This breed has been associated with the royals since around 17th century England. They were particularly popular with King Charles I and his son King Charles II, who was so besotted by them that he decreed that they were allowed in any building, including the parliament. This breed of dog loves attention and has a very happy-go-lucky demeanour which would suit families that are at home very often.

Characteristics:
Group: Toy
Height:  30 cm to 33 cm
Weight:  6 kg to  8 kg
Coat and Colour:  long, sleek and silky coat with featherings around the ears, feet, chest and tail, they come in four colours: tricolour, blenheim, ruby and black
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

7. Golden Retriever

Known for their loyalty, gorgeous, soft, kind eyes and enthusiasm for life, Golden Retrievers are a household favorite. They were originally hunting dogs in the Scottish Highlands, used to retrieve birds in water or land. They’ve now come to be gentle, patient, family-loving dogs and with proper training are the perfect companion for kids.

Characteristics:
Group: Sporting
Height: 53 cm - 60 cm
Weight: 25 kg to 34 kg
Coat and Colour: a medium length, double coat, light to dark gold in colour
Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 years

8. Australian Terrier

This little guard is thought to be the first native breed of Australia. The smallest of working terriers, this breed had its origins as a vermin catcher. Aussie Terriers were also seen to have developed a strong bond with their owners, which meant they became a popular choice for companionship. This small bundle of joy is also very high energy and requires a good amount of exercise or long walks every day.

Characteristics:
Group: Terrier
Height: 25.4 cm to 28 cm
Weight: 6.9 kg to 9 kg
Coat and Colour: rough outer coat with a smooth, shorter undercoat, three main colours which are blue & tan, solid sandy and solid red
Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years

Get off on the right paw by feeding your dog with Raw & Fresh.

No matter what breed you choose for your family, let Raw & Fresh give you the right food and nutrients to keep your dog happy and healthy as they settle into their new home.