Cairns top dogs: Is your pooch on the most popular breed list?
While you can’t put a price on the love and loyalty, some breeds come with an eye-watering price tag, but there are affordable ways to add a furry best friend.
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OUR dogs may be our best friends but the cost of a pooch can vary hugely across the Far North with the price of some puppies averaging between $3500 to $10,000.
Cairns Regional Council revealed there’s 25,562 registered dogs across its area – which with city’s human population of around 155,560, means there’s one dog for approximately every six people.
While you can’t put a price on the love and loyalty your K9 pal offers, there’s no doubt that due to Covid the cost of some breeds has jumped higher than the average house price – and that’s not including the cost of food, vet fees, toys, training, council registration and puppy accessories.
But how much is too much to pay for a pooch?
Generally the adoption fee of a rescue dog from an animal welfare organisations ranges from $350 for a puppy and $450 for an adult dog and includes desexing and vaccination.
For Kewarra Beach resident Judy Edwards, her border collies Jarvis, 5, and Vinnie, 8, are much-loved family members.
Ms Edwards, 69, has previously had another border collie, Cookie, who dies from lymphoma.
“I got Vinnie three years before Cookie died,” she said.
“But he grieved so badly I then got Jarvis to keep him company.”
While prices from breeders’ prices can hit around $3200, she purchased her current dogs separately from two animal welfare organisations for around $320 each.
“When I bought them there were no border collies available in Cairns,” she said.
“I had them flown in from Bundaberg and Brisbane which effectively doubled the cost but it wasn’t about their price, it was that I love this breed of dogs, they are very loyal.”
According to FNQ dachshund breeder Fancydax’s Carla Flint, it comes down to people being willing to wait to find the right animal for their family situation
Ms Flint breeds miniature smooth haired dachshunds and said demand is “very high” for her pups despite the $3200 price tag.
The breed is ranked the fourth most popular dog in Queensland according to Pet Insurance Australia, but failed to make the top 10 in Cairns.
“We get five or six inquiries a week,” she said.
‘Dachshunds are very active and curious dogs, so we screen people to let then know what they can be letting themselves in for as they can be a handful but are very loyal.”
She said reputable breeders can supply papers including their supply number, proof of registration, pedigree and vaccination.
“If you buy a dog from a reputable breeder, then you know what you are getting and the feedback I get is my dogs are really lovely and outgoing,” she said.
“It’s important to match puppy personalities with buyers.”
Names
If you call out Bella at any dog park there’ a good chance of an answering bark as at least 337 pups are registered with this moniker in Cairns LGA.
Second place was Ruby with 213, third was Buddy (205) then Max (202), Charlie (200), Coco (192), Luna (178), Molly (176), Roxy (152) and Lucy (150).
Council also reported that some of the most unusual canine names included; Staffatori Maximus Blu, Dumbo, Fatso, Coyote Ugly and Enslow.
Cairns Canines – Most popular dog breeds in Cairns LGA*
*Cost sourced from breeders and specialty dog groups
Total number of registered dogs in Cairns LGA: 25,562
1. Staff Bull Terrier – 1745, $3000
2. Cattle Dog – 1472, $3000
3. Kelpie – 1398, $4500
4. Maltese – 1326, $3500
5. Border Collie – 1305, $3200
6. Bull Arab – 1083, $450+
7. Jack Russell – 1070, $2500
8. Labrador – 1000, $3000
9. American Staffy – 785, $2500
10. Chihuahua – 710, $2500+
Cairns Canines – Most popular dog breeds in Cairns LGA*
*Cost sourced from breeders and specialty dog groups
Total number of registered dogs in Cairns LGA: 25,562
1. Staff Bull Terrier – 1745, $3000
2. Cattle Dog – 1472, $3000
3. Kelpie – 1398, $4500
4. Maltese – 1326, $3500
5. Border Collie – 1305, $3200
6. Bull Arab – 1083, $450+
7. Jack Russell – 1070, $2500
8. Labrador – 1000, $3000
9. American Staffy – 785, $
10. Chihuahua – 710, $2500+
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Originally published as Cairns top dogs: Is your pooch on the most popular breed list?