Australian dog breeds are amongst the most hard-working pups on the planet, with bucket loads of energy that make them well suited to homes with active lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a herding dog or a canine companion who will be as enthusiastic about adventures in the great outdoors as you are, Australian dog breeds are well worth considering.
While Australia is well known for producing cattle and sheep-herding breeds of outstanding quality, these strong, tireless and agile dogs aren’t the only type to hail from the land down under. Spirited and mischievous toy dog breeds, like the Australian Silky Terrier, and gentle and empathetic therapy dog breeds, like the Cobberdog, also got their start in this breathtakingly beautiful, but at times, harsh and unforgiving land.
Because even the non-working Australian breeds are known for being incredibly active, we recommend that you only choose an Australian dog breed if you have the time and energy to devote to them. The majority were developed to hunt or work the land, so they need a lot of exercise to prevent them from getting into mischief, and training and socialization from a young age is key to stop their natural herding instincts from being directed towards children or smaller pets.
If you feel you live the the sort of active and outdoorsy lifestyle that these dogs thrive on and you have the patience and perseverance to train them to channel their natural instincts appropriately, the Australian dog breeds on this list will reward you ten-fold with a level of love and loyalty that will make any hard work up front well worth it.
Australian dog breeds
1. Australian Cattle Dog
A compact but sinewy little canine, the Australian Cattle Dog is one of the best-known Australian dog breeds. They are hard-muscled herders famous for their sturdy build and outstanding strength and agility. Resilient and intelligent, they have a reputation for being able to run rings around humans and yet, while they are highly independent, there is a depth of loyalty and affection to them that is almost unrivaled.
Curious, alert, obedient and very protective of those they love, these brave dogs are born with a white coat that will turn either blue-gray or red as they mature. Their fur features distinctive mottling and speckling patterns and they tend to have deep brown eyes that serve as the window to their beautiful hearts.
Make no mistake, this is a dog that was born to work hard and their boundless energy means that they can go all day, from herding on a farm to serving as your faithful running partner, the Australian Cattle Dog thrives on being active and busy. It’s important that they are challenged both physically and mentally, as without this, they are prone to boredom that can lead to mischief.
2. Australian Kelpie
With an almost inexhaustible energy, the Australian Kelpie descends from collie-type dogs that were imported from Scotland and has been bred to ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of the vast Australian outback. They are extremely alert, eager, loyal and utterly devoted to their work and are happiest when given a task to do, which they always complete to the highest possible standard.
A lithe, medium-sized dog that weighs between 31–45 pounds, the Kelpie has excellent herding abilities but they do require early and consistent training and socialization as their natural instinct to nip at the heels of livestock to round them up can be transferred to children and domestic pets if they’re not taught how to channel this appropriately.
Kelpies make excellent watch dogs and will bark to let you know when someone shows up on your property and their high level of intelligence makes them extremely responsive to training. That being said, they see their owners as equals, not as the boss and they respond best to a human that is firm but respectful, uses lots of positive reinforcement and allows them to get on with the job at hand with minimal supervision.
3. Australian Silky Terrier
With the kind of soft and glossy hair that many of us can only dream of, the Australian Silky Terrier hails from Sydney and is the cousin of the smaller Yorkshire Terrier. Playful, loving and adventurous, the Silky Terrier is active and mischievous with small, almond-shaped eyes and a diminutive stature, standing, at most, 10in tall.
These little dynamos may be a toy breed but what they lack in size they make up for with bags of personality. They are delightfully high-spirited and always up for a challenge, but while they adore their owners and can make for great playmates for considerate children, they are known for being aggressive towards other dogs and pets – this is one little rascal that does best as the sole fur baby in their family.
4. Bull Arab
The Bull Arab is one of the lesser known Australian dog breeds and was developed by crossing several large and strong breeds (most notably Bull Terriers, mastiffs and Greyhounds) to create a muscular dog that could be used for feral pig hunting. Independent and energetic, they possess excellent hunting and scent-tracking abilities, making them one of the best tracking dogs as well as a great guard dogs.
Calm in nature and highly intelligent, the Bull Arab is easy to train and is known for being incredibly loyal and loving to their humans. That being said, training and socialization from as early as eight weeks is absolutely essential as these pups are not particularly fond of strangers or other dogs (largely due to their high prey drive) and can become aggressive if not raised correctly.
5. Koolie
Sweet natured and utterly devoted to their owners, the Koolie is known for its speed and stamina and is yet another working dog that is often used to herd sheep and drive cattle. Thought to be the result of crossbreeding various collies, the Koolie is strong, agile and almost tireless and comes in a wide variety of coat colors.
Highly patient and dedicated, the Koolie is often reserved around those they don’t know and while not aggressive, their natural herding instincts can make them quite dominant around smaller pets and children. Because they have so much energy, they do best in active homes with plenty of physical and mental stimulation on offer to keep them happy.
6. Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Believed to be the oldest domesticated breed native to Australia, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a descendent of wild dingoes and herding dogs and is a naturally bob-tailed breed that often goes by the nickname of ‘Stumpy’.
Their coat tends to be blue, red and tan and they have a square build with relatively long legs when you consider that they only tend to reach around 20 inches in height.
Because they have bags of mental and physical stamina, the Stumpy requires a rigorous amount of activity each day to keep them occupied, happy and out of mischief. They are highly independent, so don’t expect many shows of lovey-dovey affection, but at the same time, they make wonderful companions and are particularly fond of older children and teens.
While definitely not one of the most affectionate dog breeds, don’t mistake that for the Stumpy not feeling bonded to their humans. Rather than cuddles, this loyal breed tends to prefer to show their love by being protective of those who they care the most about. They aren’t prone to aggression, but at the same time, they won’t hesitate to jump in and defend you should the need arise.
7. Tenterfield Terrier
Fearless, eager and bold, the friendly and active little Tenterfield Terrier has a balanced and square build with a short, smooth and fine coat that is predominantly white with black, liver or tan markings. Super bright and highly outgoing, this social pup has a curious nature and adapts well to all kinds of households, including those with children or seniors in need of a companion.
The Tenterfield Terrier loves to learn but their fearless and inquisitive natures can get them into trouble sometimes as they will think nothing of engaging with snakes and other poisonous creatures or ingesting toxic garden supplies, like snail bait, so this lively canine does require some supervision to make sure they stay safe.
You’ll need some patience and persistence when it comes to training as with a dog this curious their attention span is rather short, so expect to hold their interest for around 10 minutes at a time before their mind starts to wander off elsewhere. Your patience, however, will be rewarded as this terrier is very affectionate and will love cuddling up in your lap.
8. Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier’s conformation differs from what you might commonly recognize as a small terrier build because they have long backs and necks – a little reminiscent of the Dandie Dinmont terrier, a Scottish dog breed.
Neither yappy nor quiet, the Aussie Terrier benefits from socializing as a puppy and beyond into adulthood. Smart and eager to please, some say this terrier is easier to train than some other breeds in its category.
Australian Terriers form strong bonds with their people. They can be prone to separation anxiety, though, so it’s good to get them used to time alone from an early age to raise a pup who won’t panic by itself.
Good news for your carpets: this breed hardly sheds and their grooming requirements are very manageable. A comb through and check for any abnormalities once a week will do the trick, including an inspection of the ears.
9. Australian Cobberdog
In Australia, the word ‘cobber’ is used to refer to a friend and that’s exactly what the cobberdog has been bred to be – a therapy dog or service dog for those who need it as well as being an all-round wonderful companion to children and adults alike.
Coming in four different sizes, this purebred-in-development is a specific kind of Labradoodle – a popular poodle mix. It’s a hypoallergenic breed and has a beautiful temperament that oozes gentleness and sensitivity.
Even-tempered, friendly, enthusiastic and empathetic, the cobberdog loves to learn new tricks, is eager to please and great at following orders. Their respectful and unimposing nature means they’re brilliant when it comes to working alongside people who find social interaction difficult.
They have bucketloads of curiosity and love being with their people and yet they’re also able to be left alone and will happily amuse themselves until their loved ones return. If you want a canine companion that will get along with every human and creature great or small, the cobberdog is the pup for you.
10. Australian Shepherd
We finish our list with a misnomer – the Australian Shepherd isn’t actually from Australia!
This hardy, fluffy dog came is descended from a breed used to herd sheep and cattle in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. It’s said they were brought to Australia in the 19th century and crossed with terrier breeds and collies, but Spanish settlers brought them to North America even earlier than that in the 1500s, where the breed was cultivated and used for sheepherding.
Australian Shepherds have the high levels of energy and stamina you’d expect from any working dog breed and they’re suited to life on the farm or with an active family. They are also highly intelligent and will enjoy being entertained with dog puzzle toys and being taught a repertoire of tricks.
Provided you can give an Australian Shepherd the exercise and mental stimulation it needs, you will be richly rewarded with a delightful family pet who is gentle with children and affectionate with all its human companions.
Another thing to know about the Australian Shepherd is that you will spend no small amount of time vacuuming up hair. While they don’t require too much in the way of brushing (once a week will do), Aussies shed twice a year, so you may want to invest in one of the best pet vacuums.
Want to know about more breeds from around the work? Here are our favorite Japanese dog breeds
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
