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Who were Australia’s most beloved furry companions in 2025? Royal Canin is excited to reveal our annual Popular Pets report, now including cats, to provide you with a complete picture of pet popularity across our nation. We analysed our database of over 100,000 dog and cat owners, encompassing 116,933 pets spanning the last 5 years.
1. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a bounding, happy dog with a heart of pure gold. But beneath the playful exterior lies a remarkably gentle and even-tempered soul. Friendly and affectionate with everyone they meet, their trustworthy nature makes them a cherished member of the family. The Golden Retriever’s versatility is astounding; they are as comfortable at the centre of family life as they are working as a guide dog or on a search-and-rescue mission. With their stunning golden looks and robust health, it’s easy to see why they are one of the world’s most adored breeds.
2. Labrador Retriever
There is a very good reason the Labrador Retriever is a global superstar in the canine world. Playful, devoted, and famously good-natured, they are known for an open, enthusiastic temperament that owners quickly come to adore. As long as you are prepared for an overload of affection, that is! They are incredibly smart, too. With a little patience and positive reinforcement, the Labrador is a highly trainable breed, eager to please its human companions. Just be sure to keep that plate of food away from the edge of the table!
3. French Bulldog
Stocky, charming, and absolutely chock-full of personality, the French Bulldog makes a fantastic and entertaining companion. Their compact size and comical nature have won the hearts of countless owners. Don’t be fooled by the serious expression they sometimes wear; there is always a playful and mischievous dog hidden within. The French Bulldog is an adaptable and easygoing breed that is happy to be involved in family fun or relaxing on the sofa. A true bonus: they are known for being wonderful with children and get along well with other pets.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
While they may be small in size, these elegant little dogs have a spirit much bigger than you might expect. Often quite fearless, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is curious about everything and possesses a surprisingly sporty nature - they are a spaniel, after all. At the same time, they are incredibly affectionate and form deep, loving bonds with their owners. Famed for their silky, flowing coat, long, droopy ears, and soulful eyes, the Cavalier must surely be one of the world’s top tail-waggers, too.
Most Popular Dog Breeds
Most Popular Dog Names across the Last 5 Years
In Australia, there are clear favourites for naming our pets. If you go to a dog park you may hear people calling out a "Luna", "Charlie" or "Daisy" as these 3 names have been the top 3 monikers for the last 4 years! Close contenders include Ruby, Frankie and Teddy.
Study Methodology
Royal Canin ANZ first-party customer data was analysed to form a bespoke data study based on 106,523 pet parents to identify popularity & preference in dog & cat ownership across Australia. The data encompassed 116,933 pets and was analysed at an Australian-wide level, including information surrounding breed and names spanning a period of 5 years.
All information is accurate at the time of content creation and analysis and is reflective of the Royal Canin ANZ community database, which refers to popularity and trends from owners and may not correlate to overall preferences of the nation.
If sharing or utilising this data, credit must be given to Royal Canin ANZ as the original source of this information
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