Top dogs: The South Aussie Insta-pups you should be following
From therapy dogs to fashion models, make your Instagram feed 100 per cent cuter by adding these pawfect pooches to your following list.
Lifestyle
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Instagram is all about showing off the best bits of your life and pics of your furry friend are no exception to this rule.
Pawrents everywhere have taken to the social media platform to show off their cute canines, with many even giving their pooch their own account featuring photos and videos accompanied by captions from their dog’s perspective.
Want to know how you can get more adorable puppy dog eyes in your social media feed? Check out these 30 South Australian pups leading the way on Instagram.
AKELA AND RIO
Handle: @riotheaussiepup
Followers: 13.6K
What’s better than one cute dog? Two!
Rio and Akela are an adventurous duo who don’t mind taking time out of their exploration hikes and beach swims to pose for the camera.
These charismatic canines are the James-Bishop family’s pride and joy.
Sisters Shamaya and Tayani both describe their pups as being like “velcro” as they are never far from their side.
“Both puppies have worked really perfectly in our lives and they bring a lot of joy and love and happiness,” Shamaya said.
“They’re very well-natured, friendly, energetic dogs.”
Shamaya said that as Akela and Rio were sheep dogs they required a lot of exercise which was where Tayani came in.
“[Tayani] takes them on a lot of hikes … and takes them up to different points and beaches,” Shamaya said.
“They have all the energy they need to kind of get out there and run it out and plus they love just having fun.”
Personal trainer Tayani is the primary mastermind behind Rio and Akela’s Instagram with her passion for fitness and love of photography coming together to help her curate amazing images of the pawfect pair.
“[The Instagram] went off in about 2022 and I started posting a little bit more frequently and the followers came in which was lovely,
“I did not think many people would be interested in seeing my photos of my dogs but it’s been amazing,” Tayani said.
What started as a hobby for Tayani has clearly resonated with the dog’s followers as they leave messages of adoration on her pictures.
“It’s an amazing community on Instagram, which is really lovely,” she said.
ARCHIE THE BORDER COLLIE
Handle: @_archiethebordercollie_
Followers: 1905
Adorable Archie is always up for chasing a ball or a frisbee.
This active pup loves to play, especially with his human bestie, Hamish.
ANAKIN AND PADME BERNESE BROS
Handle: @anakin_padme_Bernese
Followers: 59.7K
This pair of gentle giants are equal parts cheeky and sweet.
Anakin and Padme always look super cute but especially after a fresh wash and blow dry. They are also the faces of Mountain Dog Treat Co.
ARLO THE CANCER SERVICE DOG
Instagram handle: @arlo_the_cancer _service_dog
Followers: 8136
Arlo is a service dog who brightens the days of cancer patients and hospital staff.
Wherever this furry friend goes, a smile is guaranteed.
He and his brother Nala also work closely with The Hospital Research Foundation Group as community ambassadors.
BELLA THE SIBERIAN HUSKY
Handle: @husky_bellarina
Followers: 13K
After receiving complaints from her family members about the non-stop photos of Bella, her owner Laura Sidari found herself looking for a community of fellow pet lovers.
“I was seeking friendships with those who had the same mindset and loved animals,” Ms Sidari said.
“I thought, well, stuff it, I’m going to start her an Instagram.”
Bella the Siberian Husky is more than just a cute face as her social media acts as a platform for the Sheidow Park pair to make a difference, with Bella being a “Furbassador” for the RSPCA.
“We use our following for good and help the RSPCA get more reach for their campaigns,” Ms Sidari said.
BODHI THE CAVOODLE
Handle: @lovebodhi5
Followers: 572
Bodhi the cavoodle lives his life to the fullest everyday.
His Instagram features all of his wild antics from helping out his mum in the office to climbing on the couch to show off.
CHOPS THE SAUSAGE DOG
Instagram handle: @chopsthesausage
Followers: 27.3K
Chops the sausage dog may very well be number one master of puppy dog eyes.
He is always pulling an irresistible expression on his Instagram – how could you say no to that face?!
CJ THE BRITISH BULLDOG
Handle: @charles_the_british_bulldog
Followers: 27K
With over 20,000 followers CJ the British bulldog is certified Insta-famous.
However, like all celebrity stories, CJ’s does not come without a touch of sadness.
“Charles was actually our first bulldog and he passed away after a really short time but then we managed to find CJ, who is basically called Charles Jnr purely because they have almost the identical colour makings just on the opposite side,” CJ’s pawrent, Vince Colasante said.
Now at seven years old, CJ and his daughter Gracie take on the world together, delighting their fans with humorous pictures and videos.
“Bulldogs are big, goofy animals and people just tend to gravitate towards them because they just have this goofball appearance and personality,” Mr Colasante said.
“I think people just appreciate the laugh.”
Mr Colasante and his wife Marieta Colasante have always used their following for good and have raised significant funds for charities.
“Pre-Covid we actually ran annual birthday parties and we would invite all dogs through Instagram and we did a bunch of charity fundraising, we got a whole group of worldwide and local pet supply people behind us,’ Mr Colasante said. .
“We supported SAHARA which is the dog shelter body from South Australia and CJ was able to raise just over $7,000.”
The Colasante family look forward to getting these events up and running again next year to continue CJ and Gracie’s legacy as more than just adorable faces.
EDEN HARPER’S GOLDEN BOY, CUB
Handle: @edenharper
Followers: 232K
MAFs star and Adelaide local, Eden Harper, is never far from her golden retriever, Cub.
On her Instagram she often dotes over her beloved boy stating in an Instagram post that “through the best days and the worst days, this lil guy puts a smile on [her] face”.
ELMO THE AIRPORT LAB
Handle: @elmo.unofficial
Followers: 554
Elmo is taking the term “caring canine” to new heights in his role as facility dog at Adelaide Airport.
He helps travellers feel less stressed during their time in the airport as part of the Hidden Disabilities program.
FRENCHIE CALLED NUGGET
Handle: @french.nugget
Followers: 144
This little black ball of sass is the light of her mum, Kelsey Sandercock’s, life.
The pair are inseparable with Ms Sandercock always ready to snap an adorable pic of Nugget up to her usual hilarious antics.
HUGO THE GOLDEN COLLIE
Handle: @thegoldencolliehugo
Followers: 922
If you thought golden retrievers could not get any cuter then think again because Hugo the border collie X golden retriever is a combination of the best of both breeds.
This smiley boy loves being active and supporting his favourite footy team, the Adelaide Crows.
JASPER AND CHESTER
Handle: @_.jasperandchester
Followers: 3027
These cheeky labrador brothers are gentle in nature and super sweet in appearance.
Jasper and Chester as so kind-hearted that they even let the new family cat, Beanie join their squad.
MACK THE BERNER
Handle: @mack_the_berner
Followers: 44.6K
Mack the beautiful Bernese mountain dog’s main goal in life is to make people happy.
This big guy has a heart to match his size and loves hanging out with his friends both furry and human.
MAPLE THE MINI POODLE
Handle: @maple.theminipoodle
Followers: 4272
Maple by name and maple in colour this miniature poodle is the life of the party.
Usually dressed in a bright bow tie or cute collar, Maple loves socialising with her fellow pup friends and her beloved humans.
MAVIS THE BORDER TERRIER
Handle: @mavis_theborderterrier
Followers: 7753
Just like her Insta bio says Mavis is “Adelaide’s bearded lady”.
This lovely pup always has time to smell the flowers and looks good while doing it as she sports a range of adorable harnesses.
MILLIE THE TOY CAVOODLE
Handle: @milliedcavoodle
Followers: 4272
This fashion forward pup loves to strike a pose in one of her many different jackets, collars and harnesses.
When she is not busy being a model for her Instagram page, she always has time for a run on the beach followed by a well-deserved puppacino.
MIMI AND DAISY – SAUSAGE DOG SISTERS
Handle: @mimianddaisy
Followers: 10.6K
This dachshund duo’s Insta bio says they are “two kweens” and one glance at their photos will only prove this fact to you.
From dressing up as ghosts for Halloween to snuggling on the couch together, these two surely do live it up.
MINI MOOSEY
Handle: @mini.moosey
Followers: 2594
Moose and his little mate, Arby live their best lives every day.
While these long-haired dachshunds may be miniature in size, they have big personalities which their thousands of followers adore.
MISS LADY DAPHNE AND DUCHESS LILIBET
Handle: @miss_daphne_my_lady
Followers: 623
Lady Daphne became roommates with her niece and fellow British bulldog, Duchess Lilibet in 2022 and since then the duo have been unstoppable.
Whether they’re relaxing by the fire, munching on mulberries in the garden or playing tug of war, these ladies are sure to leave you with a smile on your face.
MR AZZO
Handle: @mr_azzo
Followers: 2622
With his big ears and droopy eyes, its no surprise that Azzo the Bracco Italiano has racked up over 2000 followers.
He is the ultimate camping trip companion and loves nothing more than running free along the beach.
POPPY THE TOY POODLE
Handle: @heypoppytoypoodle
Followers: 8676
This classy girl, with her perfectly primped silver mane, loves to show off for the camera. Whether it’s her signature paws crossed pose or a blue-steel-esque stare straight down the lens, Poppy sure knows how to get the right shot.
PRESIDENT ST NIXON
Handle: @presidentstnixon
Followers: 408
Local Unley celebrity, Nixon weighs 86kg but according to his dads he is still a naughty puppy.
This handsome boy is not shy of the camera and even starred in the Oodie Christmas campaign in 2023.
SARGE THE AUSSIE SHEPHERD
Handle: aussie_sarge
Followers: 1690
Sarge the Australian Shepherd reporting for duty.
When this happy boy is not busy fulfilling his duties as “Chief Bark Pawlice Officer” you can find him enjoying a dip in the ocean or on a walk in the great outdoors. Just look at that smile.
SQUID THE GRIFF
Handle: @squidthegriff
Followers: 365K
Squid the Griff has been a household name in the local and international Instagram dog scene for years and it’s obvious why.
With his big eyes and hilarious expression, Squid delights his tens of thousands of followers along with his fellow Brussels Griffon bro, Pretzel.
Since we last caught up with Squid in 2020 he has welcomed a baby sister to his pack with mum Susanne Nicholls giving birth to little Violet in March last year.
THEODORE AND THE SNAGS
Handle: @theodore_the_snag
Followers: 14.4K
First came Theodore, then came Bean and finally Tallulah joined, completing the snag trio. These three little adventurers are always out having fun, with every fabulous moment being caught on camera by their devoted dog-mum.
TITO THE TOY POODLE
Handle: @tito.thetoodle
Followers: 545
With his fluffy mane of golden hair and adorable puppy-dog eyes, Tito is his pawrents’ pride and joy.
This toy poodle loves being the centre of attention and will even perform tricks for his family to get what he wants.
“He’s the first one to get asked about when we see our family and friends,” owner Haleh Ahmad said.
RANGER BLUEY
Handle: @rangerbluey
Followers: 413
Ranger’s name means “to care and protect” and this friendly heeler certainly embodies these attributes.
He is Mr Popular at daycare and enjoys being in the great outdoors as much as he loves curling up on the couch and having a nap.
RUBI STAR
Handle: @rubi.star19
Followers: 16.6K
Rubi is the best dressed pup on Hindmarsh Island and is often spotted in an array of fabulous outfits while out on one of her beloved beach walks.
This little lady has a fashion forward ensemble for every occasion and even wore a customised pink, glittery dress to watch the Oscars.
WORLDLY WILLY WINSTON
Handle: @willywinstonsworld
Followers: 14.7K
This four-year-old English Cocker Spaniel steals hearts with his golden locks and super cute expressions.
Winston’s favourite treat is watermelon and he loves nothing more than spending time with his pawrents and human little bro.
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