Dog breeds in Australia
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Page 4 of 10 • 120 breeds
terrierCairn TerrierThe Cairn Terrier is a hardy, intelligent, and spirited breed originally developed in Scotland to hunt foxes, otters, and vermin among rocky cairns. They are known for their confidence, curiosity, and lively personality. Despite their small size, Cairn Terriers are bold, independent dogs that enjoy being active and involved in family life.View Details
workingCane CorsoThe Cane Corso is a powerful, intelligent, and highly protective Italian mastiff-type breed originally developed for guarding property and hunting large game. They are known for their loyalty, confidence, and strong guarding instincts. Cane Corsos require experienced handling, early socialisation, and consistent training to ensure they develop into stable and well-balanced companions.View Details
companionCavalier King Charles SpanielThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle, affectionate, and adaptable companion breed originally developed in the United Kingdom as a lapdog for royalty. They are known for their friendly temperament, strong people focus, and suitability for family living. Cavaliers generally get along well with children and other pets and thrive in homes where they receive regular companionship and affection.View Details
companionCavoodleA cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, bred in Australia from the 1990s as a small companion dog. The Cavoodle is affectionate, adaptable and quick to learn, which suits families, retirees and apartment living. It is a crossbreed rather than a recognised breed, so size, coat type and shedding vary depending on which Poodle parent was used and how many generations back the cross sits. It needs company for much of the day and professional grooming every six to eight weeks.View Details
sportingChesapeake Bay RetrieverThe Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an American gundog developed on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland in the nineteenth century to retrieve waterfowl from cold, rough water. It is recognised by Dogs Australia in Group 3 (Gundogs). Males stand 58 to 66 cm and weigh about 29 to 36 kg, females 53 to 61 cm and about 25 to 32 kg, with a lifespan of roughly 10 to 14 years. The breed has a short, wavy, oily double coat in shades of brown, sedge and deadgrass, and it is tougher, more independent and more protective than the Labrador or Golden Retriever. It is rare in Australia, with only a handful of registered breeders.View Details
companionChihuahuaThe Chihuahua is a tiny, confident, and alert companion breed originally developed in Mexico. Despite their small size, they are bold, expressive, and often form very strong attachments to one or two people. Chihuahuas are well suited to apartment living but require careful handling, early socialisation, and consistent boundaries.View Details
toyChinese Crested DogThe Chinese Crested Dog is a small, fine-boned toy companion that comes in two varieties, the Hairless and the Powderpuff, which can be born in the same litter. The Hairless has bare skin with silky hair on the head, tail and feet, while the Powderpuff carries a full, soft veil coat. Most stand 23 to 33 cm and weigh under 5.4 kg, and the breed commonly lives into its teens. It is affectionate, playful and strongly attached to its people, and it does not cope well with long hours alone. Australian owners need a real plan for sun protection, cold weather and dental care, especially with the Hairless.View Details
companionChow ChowThe Chow Chow is an ancient northern Chinese breed distinguished by a dense lion-like coat, a blue-black tongue and a famously independent temperament. It is dignified, aloof with strangers and deeply loyal to its own household, behaving more like a cat than a typical companion dog. Most stand 43 to 51 cm and weigh 20 to 32 kg, with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. The breed suits experienced owners who want a self-contained dog and can commit to serious coat care and careful heat management in Australian conditions.View Details
sportingClumber SpanielThe Clumber Spaniel is a calm, affectionate, and sturdy sporting breed originally developed in England for flushing and retrieving game birds. Known for its heavy build, gentle temperament, and excellent scenting ability, the Clumber Spaniel is less energetic than many other spaniels but remains a capable working dog and devoted family companion.View Details
sportingCocker SpanielThe English Cocker Spaniel is a cheerful, affectionate, and energetic sporting breed originally developed for flushing game birds during hunts. They are known for their friendly temperament, strong family bonding, intelligence, and adaptable nature, making them popular as both active family pets and working gundogs.View Details
herdingCollieThe Collie is a Scottish herding breed recognised by Dogs Australia as two separate breeds, the Collie (Rough) and the Collie (Smooth), which share one standard apart from coat. It is gentle, loyal and sensitive, with a strong attachment to its family and a watchful, vocal nature. Males stand 56 to 61 cm and weigh 20.5 to 29.5 kg, females 51 to 56 cm and 18 to 25 kg, with a lifespan of about 10 to 14 years. The Rough carries a long, dense double coat while the Smooth has a short, harsh double coat. Owners should be aware of collie eye anomaly and MDR1 drug sensitivity, both of which can be identified with DNA testing.View Details
sportingCurly Coated RetrieverThe Curly Coated Retriever is one of the oldest retriever breeds, developed in England for wildfowling and retrieving from cold water, and the tallest of the retrievers. Its coat is a dense mass of small, tight, crisp curls in black or liver, which sheds little and should not be brushed. Dogs stand about 66 to 69 cm and bitches about 61 to 64 cm, and most weigh 27 to 32 kg. It is intelligent, independent and slow to mature, more reserved with strangers than a Labrador, and needs plenty of exercise. It is a different breed from the Australian Murray River Retriever, and only a handful of breeders keep it in Australia.View Details