understanding dog breeds featured image

Understanding Dog Breeds

A Complete Guide for the First-Time Dog Owner

 

 

dog breeds

Are you thinking about inviting that pitter-patter of puppy pads into your home?

 

Owning a dog can be one of life’s most rewarding and joyful occasions. Pet Insurance Australia looks at dog breeds, and everything prospective pet parents should know about dog ownership.

 

Before you become a dog owner, there are some important things to consider.

 

It is essential to understand that owning a dog is a long-term commitment.

 

The advancements in modern veterinary care allows us to enjoy our dogs for much longer than in previous years. With some dogs living up to 16+ years, those considering buying or adopting a dog should examine this factor.

 

Many pets end up in shelter situations due to owners not being able to give the time and attention required for a dog.

 

Before we get into the nitty gritty of dog breeds, let’s talk about why people get dogs in the first place.

 

people playing with dog

Why Do People Have Dogs?

Dogs give us endless and unconditional love and affection, so it’s no wonder 62% of Australians welcome the humble hound into their homes.

 

There are also massive health benefits to owning a dog.

 

They not only lift our moods but can also help lower blood pressure and get us out and about.

 

Studies also indicate that owning a dog can help socially, while pet ownership in our younger years allows young adults to mature while providing support during low times.

 

In addition, dogs provide endless entertainment and bring joy to millions worldwide. 

 

Now, let’s jump into the nitty gritty of dog breeds.

 

What is a Dog Breed?

According to Wikipedia, “a dog breed is a particular strain of dog that was purposefully bred by humans to perform specific tasks, such as herding, hunting, and guarding.

 

In other words, a dog breed is a type of dog that has a specific appearance and behaviour that is inherited from its ancestors.

 

The term “breed” refers to both the physical characteristics and the way that a dog behaves.

 

Some breeds were developed over many generations and others have been created by crossing other breeds together.

 

Dog breeds are often named after the place where they originated or the person who developed the breed.

 

 

 

choose dog breed

How to Choose a Dog Breed?

how to choose a dog breed

Taking the time to choose a dog breed carefully is one of the most critical aspects of responsible pet ownership.

 

Choosing your preferred dog breed or mixed breed requires researching before bringing Rover home.

 

Impulse buying or purchasing a dog breed only for aesthetic reasons can end in disaster for you, your family, and your canine companion.

 

When looking for a dog breed, it’s a good idea to look at your current lifestyle.

 

Some dogs are ideally suited to curling up in your lap for a Netflix binge, while others will need ample exercise and will thrive alongside an avid athlete.

 

Choosing a breed that best fits your lifestyle is essential. Also consider:

  • The size of the home/apartment – some dogs will need more room to move.
  • Experience with dogs – some dogs require much more experience than others.

 

It is also important to understand that all dogs need training from puppyhood to keep them safe and increase the bond you share.

 

Dog training is like learning to speak the same language with your puppy and is vital for all dogs.

 

However, some dogs are much easier to train than others. Taking this into consideration when you choose a dog breed is crucial. 

 

Breeds By Size

 

Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds can be the perfect companion for a busy household or older couple.

 

Due to their size, small dog breeds make an ideal apartment-living dog.

 

However, like with all breeds, it is vital to exercise your dog daily to ensure good health, particularly as they enter their older years. 

 

The top 5 popular small dog breeds in Australia by their size category.

 

 

Breeds By Size

 

Medium Sized Dog Breeds

Medium dogs are perfectly suited to many Australian families.

 

It’s essential to research your chosen medium-sized dog breed to know precisely how much exercise they need. Some dogs require a simple daily walk, while others may need to flex their muscles more often.

 

The top 5 most popular medium dog breeds in Australia by their size category.

 

Other Top Medium Dog Breeds

 

Kelpie

Kelpie

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

Dalmatian

Dalmatian

Whippet

Whippet

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

Basset Hound

Basset Hound

Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog

English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

Poodle

Poodle

Bearded Collie

Bearded Collie

Brittany

Brittany

 

Breeds By Size

 

Large Dog Breeds

There are plenty of beautiful big dog breeds available. Unfortunately, these dogs typically need more room to move due to their size and are unsuitable for apartment living situations.

 

However, many live happily in apartments if they have access to plenty of outside time.

 

The top 5 popular large dog breeds in Australia by their size category.

 

Other Top Large Dog Breeds

 

Boxer Dog

Boxer

labradoodle

Labradoodle

Golden doodle

Golden Doodle

Mastiff

Mastiff

Weimaraner

Weimaraner

Giant schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer

standard poodle

Standard Poodle

Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound

Samoyed

Samoyed

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute

akita

Akita

Belgian Shepherd

Belgian Shepherd

old english sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog

Bloodhound

Bloodhound

Komondor

Komondor

 

Breeds By Size

 

Giant Dog Breeds

There are also some very popular, massive, giant dog breeds.

 

These dogs all need room to move and are not suited to apartment living due to their sheer size.

 

Care also needs to be taken with Giant Dog Breeds to ensure they are not over-exercised as puppies to protect their fast-growing joints.

 

Some of the most famous giant dog breeds include:

 

 

Great Dane

Great Dane

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound

Saint bernard

Saint Bernard

Anatolian shepherd

Anatolian Shepherd

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff

Afghan hound

Afghan Hound

Bernese Mountain

Bernese Mountain

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees

Leonberger

Leonberger

Newfoundland

Newfoundland

 

Rare Dog Breeds

If you looking for something out of the ordinary and unusual, here are some rare dog breeds that you may want to consider.

 

Unfortunately, these breeds can be hard to come by, so preparation is essential.

 

You will need to go on a possibly long wait list in order to obtain a puppy from a reputable breeder, and most will also come at a high cost.

 

However, they are all loveable and stunning breeds.

 

Top Five Rare Dog Breeds

 

 

 

Dog Breeds By Purpose

 

When researching different dog breeds, it is fascinating to see how humans have interacted with dogs to breed and train them for various activities.

 

In the past, dogs were bred to help with specific tasks, such as hunting or herding.

 

Some breeds were bred to be watchdogs, guard dogs, or for protection. However, today dogs are more popular as companion animals.

 

Dogs have been bred for their physical characteristics, such as size and colour.

 

dogs that don't shed

Looking for a Breed of Dog that Doesn’t Shed?

dog breeds that don't shed

All dogs must shed to a certain degree.

 

The amount of hair they shed depends on their breed, size, age, and climate.

However, different breeds certainly have different grooming needs – and hair loss.

 

One common misconception of the typical ‘low-shedding’ or ‘non-shedding’ breeds is that they are also ‘low-grooming.’

 

This is not the case, and many non-shedders will require a decent amount of grooming to keep their coats knot free and remove the trapped dead hair.

 

 

Popular Large Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

 

Popular Medium Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

 

Popular Small Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Breeds

 

There are many things about dog breeds that you need to know before you decide to get a dog.

 

It’s important to know about the breed that you intend to get because not all dogs are suitable as pets for everyone.

 

You need to know about the breed’s temperament, size, and typical behaviour.

 

The dog you choose will depend on your lifestyle, home environment and your personal preferences.

 

Here is a list of the most common questions that will help you make an informed decision.

 

Some of the most popular family friendly dogs include:

 

Labrador Dog Breed

Labrador

Golden Retriever Dog

Golden Retriever

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog playing

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Beagle Dog Breed

Beagle

Boxer Dog Working Dog

Boxer

standard poodle

Poodle

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP)

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Which Dogs Are The Smartest?

Many studies over the years have examined the smartest dog breeds.

 

The top 9 dog breeds for intelligence include:

 

Border Collie Dog Breed

Border Collie

Poodle

Poodle

german shepherd 2

German Shepherd

Golden Retriever Dog

Golden Retriever

Dobermann Dog Breed

Dobermann

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

Labrador

Labrador

rottweiler 2

Rottweiler

 

Some of the more healthiest dog breeds include:

 

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd

Italian greyhound

Greyhound

Beagle Dog

Beagle

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

havanese

Havanese

old english sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog

standard poodle

Poodle

 

Some of the most chilled dog breeds include:

 

Golden Retriever Dog Breed

Golden Retriever

Labrador dog playing

Labrador

Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed

English Cocker Spaniel

Saint bernard

Saint Bernard

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

pug

Pug

British Bulldog Dog Breed

British Bulldog

Whippet

Whippet

Newfoundland working dog

Newfoundland

 

Some of the easiest dog breeds to train include:

 

Border Collie puppy eyes

Border Collie

standard poodle

Poodle

Labrador Dog Breed

Labrador

miniature schnauzer

Schnauzer

german shepherd Dog Breed

German Shepherd

rottweiler dog playing

Rottweiler

Dobermann dog

Dobermann

Hungarian Vizsla

Hungarian Vizsla

English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

 

 

Puppy Shopping Tips

 

Before you bring your bundle of joy home, there are a few things to purchase for your new puppy.

 

 

dog bed

Bedding

A size appropriate bed is important.

 

You’ll also need to update this as your puppy grows.

 

 

puppy food bowl

Water & Food Bowls

Again these need to be size appropriate and not too deep for your puppy.

 

 

dog leash

Leads & Collars

 

 

puppy toys

Toys

Have a good selection of night-time snuggle soft toys and hard chew toys for those growing teeth.

 

 

 

Responsible Pet Ownership

What Pet Parents Need To Know

 

Becoming a pet owner is a big responsibility and comes with a variety of expenses. From food to training, toys, and vet bills.

 

Sadly, many pet parents do not take veterinary costs into consideration until they are hit with an unexpected and often expensive vet bill.

 

Having adequate savings or investing in a pet insurance policy can help with these costs.

 

With all pet insurance policies, it is vital you consider the Product Disclosure Statement to ensure if the policy is right for you and your puppy.

 

Pet Insurance can help with a variety of injury or illness costs.

 

At Pet Insurance Australia, we are passionate about pets and their well-being.

 

We recommend all pet parents take the time to learn more about pet insurance and how it can help with unexpected costs.

 

 

This article was brought to you by Pet Insurance Australia, providing the best possible pet cover through our cat insurance and dog insurance plans.

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