12 Amazing Australian Dog Breeds – The Complete Guide to Australian Dogs
There is a huge diversity of animals in Australia, ranging from the deadliest snakes in the world to the
eucalyptus loving koala. It’s a fascinating country with all types of indigenous animals that inhabit the
unique terrain, including Australian dog breeds.
The saying, “everything in Australia can kill you” is far from the truth. Rather, native Australian dogs may
actually kill you with cuteness and kindness. And believe it or not, Australia is home to 12 bright and
stunning dog breeds.
The numbers don’t lie. Australians have an addiction to their pets, particularly dogs. And it shows with
an estimated 4.8 million dogs, which equates to 1 dog for every 5 people. Unsurprisingly, this is only
growing with each year.
RECOMMENDED: 101 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds
Table of Contents [SHOW]
All Australian Dog Breeds
Australian breeds include: the Australian Cattle Dog, Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Kelpie, Koolie, Silkie Terrier,
Australian Terrier, Tenterfield Terrier, Australian Staghound, Dingo, Kangaroo Dog, Bull Arab and the
Mini Fox Terrier.
1. Australian Cattle Dog
Highlights: Vigilant, Curious, Friendly.
The Australian Cattle Dog is the most famous dog breed to originate from Australia.
Farmers developed the Australian Cattle Dog in the early 1800s from the Smithfield-type working dog of
England. The aim was to produce a good working dog suitable for Australian conditions, but also
retaining a quiet nature.
After crossing with the Australian Dingo, Rough Collie and Bull Terrier, the Australian Cattle Dog was
finally developed. Needless to say, it took many attempts and iterations before the modern Australian
Cattle Dog was born.
Also called the Blue Heeler, these dogs are identical to the Dingo in type and build, but have a thicker
set. They have black patches around the eyes, black ears and brown eyes. The body is a very dark blue
with a coat evenly speckled in light blue.
Blue Heelers have the same tan markings as the black and tan Kelpie on its head, legs and chest.
However, the Red Heelers have red markings instead of black and their coat has a red speckle. It’s what
differentiated the two.
INTERESTING FACTS
Australian Cattle Dogs are also called “Heelers” due to their unique method of herding cattle. They’ll nip
at the heels of cattle to get them to move.
Heelers are born with a completely white coat. In fact, their coats don’t start developing color until
weeks later.
Prior to 2016, a Blue Heeler named Bluey held the record for longest living dog at 29 years 5 months.
Australian Cattle Dog Temperament
Australian cattle dogs are arguably the best cattle herders in the world. And while that may seem like a
great feature, it may lead to traits not ideal for most families. For example, these dogs tend to be
extremely active and and high energy.
On the bright side, they are very trainable and obedient if their owners put the time in starting from
puppyhood. And although these dogs are wicked smart, they’ll need a lot of exercise to keep them
happy and mentally healthy.
Australian Cattle Dogs are a hardy breed and live up to 15 years. Even so, some of them tend to develop
health issues if they’re working as herders. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, retinal atrophy,
deafness, and osteochondritis dissecans.
Other than that, they just shed a lot.
2. Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Highlights: Alert, Obedient, Playful
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog has similar origins to the Australian Cattle Dog. The stumpy tails
were often preferred by the stockmen of northern New South Wales and in Queensland. As such, they
were only bred for herding.
In 1918, the Queensland Kennel Club created a separate standard for these dogs because they are
natural bobtails that tend to have a different temperament. However, they look very much like the Blue
Heeler aside from the tail.
They come in two colors:
Red stumpy tails – The coat color is a red speckle or mottle. They can have red markings on the body and
head, and there should be no sign of blue in its undercoat, coat or on the head.
Blue stumpy tails – The coat color is a blue speckle or mottle. It can have black markings on its body and
head, and there should be no sign of red in its undercoat, coat or on the head.
No matter the color of the stumpy tail, they should not have any tan markings at all.
INTERESTING FACTS
There are some Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs that actually develop a tail. However, they’re quite
rare and don’t grow past 4 inches long.
These dogs were developed by crossbreeding European herding dogs and the Australian Dingo.
Australian Stumpy Tails are prone to deafness – and not just at old age.
Stumpy Tail Temperament
The stumpy tail temperament is a loyal, alert, courageous and obedient dog. Like the Blue Heeler, they
are very smart and take training very seriously. On the other hand, they can be a little reserved when
around strangers.
Early socialization is needed with this dog for a more social and relaxed dog. And when it comes to kids,
they’ll need extra work as they can get overly excited and knock one over. You’ll want to make sure the
kids are old enough too.
Australian Stumpy Tails are also fantastic workers and excel at dog sport. These dogs make good loyal
companions and live up to 15 years. But what makes them the happiest is a large living space with
plenty of room to run around.
3. Australian Kelpie
Highlights: Devoted, Vigilant, Energetic
The Australian Kelpie is most known for the unusual behavior of jumping on sheeps' backs.
The Australian Kelpie breed comes from the imported Scottish collie breeds used for stock work in the
early 19th Century. Even so, there is still much mystery surrounding how the breed developed in
Australia over the years.
They were partly developed from the native Australian Dingo but not much else is clear about the other
breeds used to develop this amazing working dog. Today, they’re some of the top herding dogs exported
all over to herd sheep, cattle and goats.
However, herding isn’t all they do. There are two types of Kelpies in Australia: working and show lines.
The Kelpies shown in the conformation ring are generally shorter and stockier than the working line
kelpies.
These dogs are a medium-sized dog breed with three different types of coats: smooth, rough, and short.
In addition, they come in a variety of colors including chocolate, red and tan, black and tan, smoke blue,
fawn and black.
INTERESTING FACTS
The name for an Australian Kelpie with an all-black coat is “Barb.”
Kelpies are some of the most versatile task dogs, frequently trained for search & rescue, drug detection,
therapy, service and more.
In 2016, a Kelpie named Maggie set the world record for longest living dog. She was 30 years old (for
perspective: 200 human years).
Australian Kelpie Temperament
The working Kelpies are easy to train and efficient for working all types of domestic stock. They are well
known for jumping on the backs of sheep when working them in the yards to keep them moving.
They’re versatile dogs and will work all day if need be.
Show Kelpies excel in dog sport such as agility, jumping, and dog obedience. So while they can be a top
choice for a companion, they will have a lot of energy and require plenty of exercise on a daily basis –
mental activities included!
Kelpies are not dogs that can be happy kept in a suburban backyard. And don’t even try to keep one in a
cramped apartment. As long as their needs are met, Kelpies will be loyal, very intelligent, and eager to
please their humans.
4. Australian Silky Terrier
Highlights: Friendly, Alert, Agile
The Australian Silky Terrier is one of the best companion lap dogs to originate from Australia.
The Australian Silky Terrier was developed for catching vermin, but also as a companion dog. So while
they may be petite (only grows to about 10 inches high), they can do some serious damage on the field
hunting rats.
Australian Silky Terriers are a breed created in Australia in the late 1800s by crossing the Australian
Terrier with a Yorkshire Terrier. The aim was to breed a more robust dog with the quality and coat color
of the Yorkshire Terrier.
The two look so similar that there is often confusion. However, there are few key traits that set them
apart. For example, the Silky has a wedge-shaped head (vs a round head of a Yorkie). Plus, Silkies have
larger teeth intended for catching bigger prey.
Australian Silky Terriers have a long, silky hypoallergenic coat that is blue and tan. That said, they’ll need
grooming on a regular basis if the coat grows to its full length. Otherwise, the coat will tangle and cause
knots that require trimming.
INTERESTING FACTS
Prior to 1955, the Australian Silky Terrier was actually called the Sydney Silky Terrier.
These dogs are a cross between the native Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Despite being a full-on terrier, the Silky Terrier is classified in the Toy Group and not the Terrier Group.
Silky Terrier Temperament
The Australian Silky Terriers are mischievous rascals but make excellent companions despite their ability
to get themselves in trouble. They have all the best traits of a companion: intelligent, quick to learn, and
are alert and playful.
If you’re looking for an Australian lap dog, the Silky Terrier may be ideal. They love to cuddle up to their
family and are an easy-going dog breed that lives up to 14 years. However, they’re still active at times
and demand exercise.
For some reason, they’re quite fond of digging holes. And without physical exercise, you may very well
see holes in your backyard. In addition, they have a habit of chasing small animals. This is likely due to
their prey drive, which needs to be kept in check.
5. Australian Terrier
Highlights: Friendly, Brave, Spirited.
The australian terrier was originally called the rough coated terrier.
The Australian Terrier was first developed in 1820 and first called the Rough-coated Terrier. This feisty
little dog was purposely bred for hunting down rats and snakes, but have transitioned into a top
Australian companion dog.
The breed’s ancestors include Yorkshire Terriers, Shorthaired Skye Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Irish Terrier and
the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years. It’s why they have similar traits that match the Silky Terrier
and Yorkie.
The Australian Terrier is a small dog breed, growing to only 10 inches in height. They have a coarse wiry
coat that grows about 2 inches in length. It seems long, but it’s much shorter than their cousins: the
Yorkie and Silky. Plus, they come in red, tan, or blue and tan.
INTERESTING FACTS
Early on, the Australian Terriers were used to fight off pesty snakes, foxes and rodents found in gold
mines.
Despite their name, the Australian Terriers originated from Tasmania and were developed using
European dog breeds.
The Australian Terrier is known for its clever sense of humor.
Australian Terrier Temperament
Australian Terriers are very intelligent dogs that thrive with obedience. They are easy to train and love
to work, but can be a bossy boots with other pets, especially smaller ones. They will need to be
socialized early on to get along with other pets.
The Australian Terrier loves spending time with its people and makes a fantastic companion dog, all
while living up to 14 years. They’re generally very lively and energetic dogs that get along with all the
members of the home, including kids.
However, the Australian Terrier can be a little mischievous, especially when they are bored. In fact,
they’re happiest when they’re involved with family activities. Always keep them entertained and they’ll
shower you with love for many years.
6. Tenterfield Terrier
Highlights: Social, Adaptable, Bold
The Tenterfield Terrier is the perfect Australian breed for getting rid of pests such as rats.
Tenterfield Terriers were derived from the Old English White Terrier, which no longer exists. This dog
breed is exceptional at killing rats, but are also fantastic family pets.
They were originally called the “Mini Fox Terrier” but many felt this name was misleading since they
don’t really hunt fox. After a vote, they became the Tenterfield Terrier instead. It’s a much more unique
and memorable name, in my opinion.
They grow up to 12 inches high and are and lightning fast. After all, they needed quick speeds to catch
their smaller prey. The Tenterfield terriers have a short, smooth white coat that has markings of black,
tan, liver and blue.
They also come in tri colors. Their coats are easy to care for with little grooming required, making them a
good choice for owners with busy lifestyles.
INTERESTING FACTS
The idea of the name came from the song ‘Tenterfield Saddler” by Peter Allen. Allen wrote the song
about the late George Woolnough, who was well known for keeping these dogs around Tenterfield in
New South Wales.
The name Tenterfield Terrier was suggested by Australian TV personality Don Burke.
British sailors and settlers were the first to bring the ancestors of the Tenterfield Terrier into Australia.
Tenterfield Temperament
The Tenterfield is very intelligent and independent, and because of this, can be hard to train. They are
strong, active dogs with a temperament that’s both confident and fearless. These are the traits most
useful in “hunting dogs.”
Tenterfield Terriers are some of the most adaptable dogs to originate from Australia. Although small,
the Tenterfield is always optimistic and sociable. In other words, they enjoy the company of humans and
love being the center of attention.
Because they’re always alert, the Tenterfield Terrier can make an excellent watchdog. They’ll alert you if
strangers are on your property. However, don’t expect them to do much outside of some furious barking
and running around.
7. Australian Staghound
Highlights: Gentle, Affectionate, Calm
The staghound of Australia is able to take down Kangaroos.
The Australian Staghound is one of the few hunting dog breeds to come from Australia. They tend to
hunt boar, kangaroos and sometimes larger hare. That said, consider the Australian Staghounds to be
distant cousins of the American Staghound.
This Australian dog breed was developed by crossbreeding a Greyhound with a Scottish Deerhound,
which were brought into Australia by European settlers. The goal was to find a breed combination for
the perfect small game hunting dog.
And after years of trying, they finally found that with the Australian Staghound. However, some of the
bloodlines today may be crossed with Bloodhounds, Foxhounds and other foreign dog breeds. So, a
staghound may vary greatly.
Australian Staghounds are the most expensive dogs to originate from Australia, costing upwards of
$1000 USD. In addition, they’re not very common outside of their home country. If you’re looking for a
reputable breeder, expect to pay a premium price.
INTERESTING FACTS
The Australian Staghound is a distinct cousin of the American Staghound.
There is no distinct bloodline for the Australian Staghound. Many of these dogs may be infused with
Bloodhounds, Foxhounds and other various breeds.
Australian Staghounds were bred for hunting dangerous Australian game, such as kangaroos and boars.
Australian Staghound Temperament
The Staghounds are gentle and calm dogs, with a strong affection towards their family. They can be as
loyal as any other dog breed. And although they’re top-notch hunting dogs, they don’t make great guard
or watch dogs.
These dogs don’t have the territorial instincts that are commonly seen in Indian dog breeds. So don’t
expect them to protect your house, although they probably can. It really depends on your individual dog
and his or her temperament.
As expected, the Australian Staghounds are wonderful with small children. They also tend to get along
with other dogs if socialized. Because of their hunting instincts, it is possible they may prey on small pets
like cats.
8. Australian Dingo
Highlights: Agile, Energetic, Confident
The Australian Dingo is the most ancient dog breed native to the country. They are what we call, the
landrace breed of Australia. According to IFL Science, recently discovered Dingo bones are believed to
be at least 3,000 years old!
They are medium sized dogs with a hardy body and lean frame. Because they were developed with little
to no human intervention, they experience few health issues. And as you can guess, these dogs have
amazing endurance and run with high speed.
Dingoes have an undeniably unique appearance. Unlike most dogs, they have unusual proportions with
the widest part of their body being the head. The body center is relatively thin and lean, giving them
better agility to hunt.
For the most part, they’re wild dogs. Though some owners have domesticated Dingoes and have a lot of
good things to say. Still, domesticating these dogs have been controversial. Not everyone will agree
they’re meant for a family environment.
INTERESTING FACTS
Australian Dingoes are very vocal dogs. But instead of barking, they mostly howl and growl to
communicate.
Dingoes living in warmer climate tend to be more nocturnal dogs compared to those living in colder
climate.
DNA analysis suggest that Dingoes were derived from Asian dog breeds over 18,000 years ago.
Australian Dingo Temperament
The Australian Dingo is not your typical Australian dog breed. In other words, they aren’t meant for a
family life in domestication. As a result, there’s very little information on their temperaments in this
situation or environment.
On the other hand, wild Dingoes are known to be a little territorial with high prey instincts. They are
very much pack dogs and should remain as such. It’s why there’s so much controversy surrounding the
domestication of Dingoes.
They typically aren’t very aggressive towards humans. For the most part, they try to avoid humans and
few human attacks ever occur. And despite being vocal dogs, they don’t really bark. At least with the
pack, they’ll communicate with a deep low growl.
9. Australian Kangaroo Dog
Highlights: Loyal, Courageous, Active
Technically, the Australian Kangaroo dog isn’t a purebred dog. And much like the term “Pitbull,” the
kangaroo dog refers to a type of dog breed. These dogs are Australian sighthounds primarily used as
hunting companions in the Australian outback.
As given by the name, these dogs use their amazing sight to spot, locate and track down game. In some
cases, they’ll be able to spot the prey much quicker than a hunter with equipment. It’s why the dog is so
useful in Australia.
The origin of the Kangaroo Dog is unclear. However, scientists speculate that they were bred from a
combination of sighthounds, such as Greyhounds or Scottish Deerhounds, which were brought by
colonial settlers in the early to mid 1800s.
Unfortunately, Kangaroo Dogs are pretty rare in Australia today. Though they still exist in rural parts of
the country, they’re not being actively bred. Plus, a lack of recognition means there was no official effort
to standardize the breed.
INTERESTING FACTS
These dogs protected early pioneer and settlers’ livestock from wild Australian Dingoes.
Depending on the bloodline, some Roo Dogs can have an amazing sense of smell, in addition to powerful
sight.
Some researchers believe these dogs descended from a mix of Borzoi, Whippet, Saluki and Irish
Wolfhounds.
Kangaroo Dog Temperament
Australian Kangaroo Dogs are sighthounds, And like with most sighthounds, they’re naturally playful and
energetic dogs. They love to play and have the endurance and stamina to keep up with even the most
active kids in the home.
With a high prey-drive, these dogs love to chase. For example, if they see a squirrel running by, you can
expect them to take off after it. With quick speeds, they’ll be gone before you even know. Sometimes
it’s better to let them go.
Needless to say, they need a lot of physical activity, so keeping a Roo Dog enclosed in your small yard is
not the best idea. A large backyard with daily activities is best. So while they are loyal dogs, they are also
high maintenance dogs.
10. Bull Arab
Highlights: Loyal, Obedient, Calm
via Instagram: @amelias_dog_walking
The Bull Arab is the only Australian dog to specialize in hunting wild pigs. Developed in the 1970s, these
dogs were derived from a mix of the Bull Terrier, German Shorthaired Pointer and Greyhound to
produce a special and intelligent hunter.
These dogs are excellent at locating and tracking pigs, then pinning them to the ground by the ears.
From there, the hunters approach to secure the prey. Their great hunting ability is largely because of
their athletic build and incredible sense of smell.
Though originally bred for hunting feral pigs, the Bull Arab is a versatile breed that developed into a
hunting dog for various other game. However, when they’re not on the field, they make excellent dogs
for active families and hunters.
INTERESTING FACTS
The Bull Arab is capable of sniffing out pigs nearly 4 miles away.
These dogs have the reputation of being “aggressive” and “dangerous” dogs. But according to the
RSPCA, there is no statistical proof of this claim.
New laws in Queensland prohibited the ownership of large dogs for renters. Thus, leading to many Bull
Arabs being abandoned in the state.
Bull Arab Temperament
Though many people in Australia believe the Bull Arab is an aggressive dog, they are actually quite calm
and docile in the right setting. Sure, hunting may require the aggression to come out, but they are the
opposite with people they love.
Highly intelligent, Bull Arabs are some of the most obedient and trainable dogs Australia has to offer.
This characteristic is primarily due to their love for people, especially the owners. They tend to be eager
to please.
However, Bull Arabs do require a good amount of socialization, and early on! This is especially true for
homes with kids or other smaller pets. Bull Arabs may not be aggressive, but they can still develop some
aggressive tendencies.
11. Miniature Fox Terrier
Highlights: Spirited, Loyal, Agile
Also known as the “Mini Foxie,” the Miniature Fox Terrier is an Australian terrier breed developed for
hunting vermin. They’re very much like the Tenterfield Terriers, but have a few traits that set them apart
from the close cousin.
They’re small dogs, but balanced with attractive physical features. Mini Foxies have a small head with
pointed ears that usually fold at the tip. Plus, they have oval-shaped feet which is rarely seen in small
dog breeds.
The tail can be docked or undocked, depending on the laws of the state. But when they’re asked to work
on the field and hunt game, the docking is almost always present. Even so, seeing a natural bobtail (tail-
less) Foxie is a possibility.
Mini Foxies are generally hardy dogs despite being a small dog breed. They have a sturdy frame that
made them serviceable hunters. Furthermore, they require very little maintenance. They’re great dogs if
you can keep up with their lively energy!
INTERESTING FACTS
Miniature Fox Terriers can live between 18 and 20 years – even longer with good health.
These dogs originated from the Fox Terrier, which were bred in England to hunt Foxes. Hence, the name.
It’s believed that Mini Foxes were developed from crossing the Smooth Fox Terrier with the Whippet,
Italian Greyhound and other various terriers.
Miniature Foxie Temperament
Mini Foxies are known for their quick speed and agility. It’s hard to keep up with one as they were bred
to ruthlessly take down vermin in tight spaces on farms. If you love to play, these dogs will love you by
taking every chance to interact.
Though fierce and brave on the field, these dogs may be soft and loving in the home. Because they are
always eager to please, they make great family dogs that are highly trainable. In other words, they’re
very “biddable” dogs.
They thrive on positive reinforcement and need to be regularly praised and rewarded for their good
behaviors. If they receive a lot of attention and love from their humans, they’ll thrive. Plus, the Mini Fox
is known to be great with children.
12. Koolie
Highlights: Patient, Strong-willed, Loyal
The Koolie is a working and herding dog from Australia. Though they were first developed by the
Australians, British imported breeds were used to for the Koolie in the early 19th century. That said,
there is currently no standard for the Koolie.
Koolies are as diverse as the various animals found in Australia. In other words, there can be a lot of
variation with the Koolie population. Not all Koolies will have the same temperament. In fact, not all will
even look the same!
For example, they vary in size and shape, depending on which region of Australia the Koolie is from. In
Northern Australia, Koolies are taller and more muscular because they were bred to herd cattle in that
region.
Because they have a fairly diverse genetic pool, these dogs don’t have many health issues. They’re hardy
dogs that can live around to 18 years if properly cared for. Still, I would look out for problems of the
joints and hip dysplasia.
INTERESTING FACTS
Koolies have an unique herding tactic, in which they circle around the sheep and draw them back to the
owner.
The first Koolie arrived in the United States in 2002, according to the Koolie Club of Australia.
They were once called the “German Koolie” because the predecessors were brought to Australia from
Germany.
Koolie Temperament
Koolies are intelligent dogs with a strong work ethic. It’s why they thrive as herding dog breeds. The
breed is the happiest when he or she has an assigned job or task to do. They will take their jobs very
seriously, thus being very reliable dogs.
In the home, they’re great with kids because they’re patient dogs with a balanced temperament. When
needed, they can fully devote to their work with enthusiasm. But when they’re with loved ones, they’ll
flip the switch quickly.
Koolies can be loyal and as a result, great companions for families of all types. These dogs aren’t
naturally aggressive, but they tend to try to establish dominance in the household. For that reason, you
must approach training with consistency and firmness.
Australian Shepherd Misconception
Most people, including myself, have erroneously believed that the Australian Shepherd was a dog
originating from Australia. This is far from the truth. But with a nickname like the “Aussie,” it’s no
wonder why this misconception is so prevalent.
Despite popular belief, the Australian Shepherd was actually bred in the United States on ranches and
farms in California. Breeders wanted to breed an all-in-one herding dog capable of effectively herding
sheep.
As a result, the Australian Shepherd (Aussie) was born. Australian Shepherds were given their name
because they herd Australian Sheep, not because they’re from Australia. However, these dogs are still
popular in their namesake country.
