What were the most popular dog breeds for 2016?
The Cavoodle, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles and a Poodle, was virtually unheard of fifteen years ago. But now, according to pet insurer Bow Wow Meow, it is the fastest growing dog breed in Australia.
Just a few decades ago, cross breeds were commonly known as mutts and seen as inferior to purebred dogs. But today, rebranded as ‘designer dog breeds’, a variety of cross breeds have knocked old-school favourites like the German Shepherd and Kelpie off the top spots. Alongside the Cavoodle, newly created cross breeds like the Schnoodle (Schnauzer x Poodle), Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle) and Puggle (Pug x Beagle) are becoming more and more popular with Aussie dog owners.
This trend has emerged as breeders try and combine the most desirable traits and features of different breeds to suit our modern tastes and lifestyles. Most commonly, Poodles are mixed with other breeds to accommodate the growing demand for low shedding dogs, hence the rise of many cross breeds with “Oodle” in their name. The Labradoodle, for example, was created to combine the trainability and temperament of a Labrador with the low-shedding coat of a Poodle, making it more suitable for families with allergies.
Picking the right breed for your family is essential, so Bow Wow Meow has launched a Dog Breed Selector, which is a fun and free online tool designed to help prospective dog owners find their most suitable breed of fur-baby.
If you are thinking of introducing a fur-baby to the family, make sure you find a reputable breeder. “The demand for designer breeds has turned into an industry producing and selling dogs for thousands of dollars. With this has come the rise of some unscrupulous people taking advantage and not necessarily concerned with animal welfare and good breeding ethics. So it is essential to do your research and make a well informed decision before you buy a pet,” says Greg Mattes, General Manager of Bow Wow Meow.
