Dog breeds and pet insurance

As Australia’s favourite dog breed, the Labrador is easily recognisable with its strong build, short fur coat and distinctive colours.² Labradors are even-tempered and active dogs that make for devoted family pets. Because of their intelligence and kind, loyal nature, they’re well suited to working as guide and assistance dogs, as well as sniffer and tracking dogs.

Labradors are a healthy dog breed but aren’t immune to various health problems. The main issues Labradors generally suffer from include hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as eye issues.  They also tend to be rather greedy with food, so obesity comes rather easily to a Labrador!

Affectionately known as a Staffy, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a short-coated, muscular and active dog.³ Despite their muscular appearance and bold, fearless temperament, Staffies are intelligent, affectionate and reliable companions, and are often used as therapy dogs.

There are only a few health problems that Staffies are prone to, one of which is skin conditions.

With their gentle temperament and kindly eyes, it’s no wonder Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in Australia. They’re strong but very affectionate and gentle, plus they love being around their family.⁴

Retrievers are also highly intelligent and have been used as guide and therapy dogs. While they’re a fairly healthy breed of dog, they have been known to experience hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as eye problems like hereditary cataracts.

German Shepherds are exceptionally intelligent, devoted and attentive, and love attention from their human friends.⁵ This mix of traits means they make excellent family pets and work well as service, guard, protection and police dogs.⁶

German Shepherds can experience hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as myelopathy and bloat.

Border Collies are perhaps best known as working sheepdogs, but they also make for wonderful, devoted family pets.⁷ Their fluffy coats are commonly black and white, but you can also get a variety of red, mottled blue, gold, sable and brown-coloured Collies.

Border Collies are generally hardy and healthy dogs, but they can experience hip dysplasia, renal atrophy, epilepsy and deafness.

The French Bulldog – known as the Frenchie – is one of the small dog breeds, with a solid build, smooth coat and an affectionate and playful nature.⁸

Frenchies tend to be loving and sweet, and can get along with just about anyone and any animal. However, they can experience some health problems. The main ones you’ll find among this breed include back weakness and breathing problems.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long and rich history. They descend from the toy spaniels of the 16th and 17th centuries and are so named because of King Charles II’s great love of this friendly, easily trained small dog breed.⁹

They have long, silky coats which come in a range of colours including a mix of black, tan, ruby, red and white. However, Cavaliers are prone to several health problems, including mitral valve disease and syringomyelia.

Rottweilers, or Rotties, are among the oldest dog breeds in the world, dating back to Roman times when they were used to drive cattle.¹⁰ Rotties can be medium to large-sized dogs and are distinguished by their black coat with tan markings.

Rotties are a strong, intelligent and loyal breed. They can be susceptible to hip problems and eye diseases.

Originally bred as skilful hunting dogs, Cocker Spaniels are today known for their loving and loyal nature, making for a dedicated and affectionate family companion.¹¹ Their silky coats can be black, red or liver, and they need regular combing to ensure their fur stays healthy and shiny.¹²

Despite being a generally sturdy and healthy breed, Cocker Spaniels can experience eye problems and hip dysplasia as they age.¹¹

There are three types of Schnauzers (miniature, standard and giant), each of which looks the same but just in different sizes.¹³ You can quickly identify a Schnauzer for their beards and eyebrows, giving the breed that mischievous expression they’re famous for.

Despite being a small dog breed, mini Schnauzers are quite sturdy and robust, with a square body shape. They’re intelligent with an instinct to guard, as they were originally bred as guard dogs, but are now mainly companion dogs. Only a few conditions like cardio myopathy are known to occur in the breed.

According to the American Kennel Club, some of the smartest dog breeds include:¹⁴

• Border Collie
• Poodle
• German Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Doberman
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Labrador Retriever
• Papillon
• Rottweiler
• Australian Cattle Dog.

All dog breeds produce allergens (like dander, saliva and urine proteins) to some degree, so there’s no one breed that’s completely hypoallergenic.¹⁵ However, some dogs are better for allergies than others, including:

• Poodles
• Bichon Frises
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Malteses
• Portuguese Water Dogs
• Shih Tzus
• Schnauzers
• Cairn Terriers
• Havanese
• Chinese Crested dogs.

Dogs bark for many reasons (since it’s their way of communicating with us), but some breeds can bark less than others.¹⁶ This can be due to the breed’s origins (having been developed to be quiet), but you may also find that individual dogs – regardless of breed – can be trained or raised to bark less.

Some ‘quiet’ dog breeds include:

• Afghan Hound
• Greyhound
• Basenji
• Chow Chow
• Collie
• Newfoundland
• Akita
• Shiba Inu
• Whippet
• Saint Bernard.

Commonwealth customs legislation prohibits the importation of several specific dog breeds, including:¹⁷

• American pit bull terrier
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese tosa
• Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario).

States and territories may have different legislation on the ownership of these restricted breeds.