With pet ownership up on the rise across the country, pet insurance comparison site Compare the Market has revealed the most popular dog and cat breeds in Australia. Cavoodles, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross Poodle, were found to be the most common dog breed, while Domestic Short Hairs ranked at the top of the list for cat breeds.*
Other dog breeds that made the top ten include the likes of Miniature Dachshunds (2nd), Golden Retrievers (3rd) and Border Collies (6th).
Most popular dog breeds according to Compare the Market’s pet insurance comparison tool:
- Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross Poodle)
- Miniature Dachshund
- Golden Retriever
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Border Collie
- English Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- German Shepherd
- Maltese Cross
- Groodle (Golden Retriever cross Poodle)
Besides domestic short hairs, some of the other most popular cat breeds included Ragdolls (3rd), Tabbies (4th) and Maine Coons (6th).
Most popular cat breeds according to Compare the Market’s pet insurance comparison tool:
- Domestic Short Hair
- Domestic Medium Hair
- Ragdoll
- Tabby
- Domestic Long Hair
- British Short Hair
- Ragdoll Cross
- Maine Coon
- Burmese
- Moggie
Compare the Market also ran a survey in January of 2024, which found that as many as one in five Aussies are looking to get a companion in the coming year, likely boosting the number of pets in Australia beyond 29 million.
The research found that just over 14% of people were looking to buy a dog this year, while 6.4% of respondents stated that they were looking to fill their pet-sized hole with a cat. The research also revealed that just under two in five Gen Z were looking to bring home a cat or a dog this year, while Baby Boomers were the least likely to do so.
| Looking to get a pet this year? | % of Australian respondents | % of Gen Z respondents | % of Millennial respondents | % of Gen X respondents | % of Baby Boomer respondents |
| Yes, looking to get a cat | 6.4% | 11.1% | 7.9% | 5.1% | 4.1% |
| Yes, looking to get a dog | 14.1% | 27.4% | 18.6% | 16.5% | 3.5% |
| No, I’m not looking to get a pet this year | 77.1% | 60.0% | 71.1% | 75.5% | 90.1% |
| Other | 2.4% | 1.5% | 2.4% | 3.0% | 2.3% |
Commenting on the findings, Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager for General Insurance and pet insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, said that people who are looking to buy a pet should consider a variety of factors, including potential medical issues that are prevalent in the breed, before committing to a cat or a dog.
“Whether you promised your kids you’ll get a new cat in 2024 or you’re hoping to welcome a puppy to your family, it’s important to make sure that you research the breed you’re thinking of getting,” Mr Taylor said. “Not only will the personality and activity level of each breed differ, but there can be breeds that are less susceptible to certain medical issues.
“We know that Pugs are more likely to get respiratory issues due to their shortened faces and muzzles and are very prone to eye infections due to their bulging eyes, despite how cute they may look.
“Furthermore, dogs such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, which need a lot of exercise, are also likely to develop issues such as elbow and hip dysplasia. You may be more likely to visit the vet for expensive treatments as your dog gets on in its years.
“Unfortunately, cats don’t escape the medical issues either, with many pure breeds such as Bengals, Burmese and even the Maine Coons more likely to suffer from joint problems, asthma and hip dysplasia.
“Once people have decided on the type of pet they’re bringing into their home, pet insurance can help mitigate some of the costs associated with emergency vet bills for any and all accidents. For peace of mind, we also recommend that pet owners get pet insurance as soon as they bring their new pet home, as premiums are likely to be much lower than if you were to take out pet insurance later.”
Disclaimer: The breeds listed above are based on data collected from Compare the Market’s pet insurance comparison tool between 1 July 2023 and 31 December 2023 (inclusive) and may vary from other sources.
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For interviews and more information, please contact:
Noémi Hadnagy | m: 0433 377 252 | e: [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
