Melbourne’s favourite dog breeds revealed

MELBOURNE’S most popular dog breed might not be too hard to guess, but there are some other firm favourites biting at its heels.

Amber the Lab, Zolo the Maltese and Russell the Staffy. Picture: Mark Stewart

THE mighty labrador is still the most popular dog breed in Melbourne but some others are biting at its heels.

The Staffordshire Terrier and Maltese Terriers are almost as popular which the head of Canine Health and Well Being, Sylvia Power, said is simply because of lifestyle.

“It’s all about where people live and what they do with their time,” Ms Power said.

Maltese pups Cece and Gigi, 11 weeks. Picture: Mark Stewart

“You would struggle to have a kelpie if you live in a city apartment because he will never be a couch potato. It’s impossible. Kelpies just have to work and be kept busy. People need to understand what the dogs are bred for.”

It explains why the finder.com.au analysis of Australasian Animal Registry data found the most common breeds in Victoria’s most dog-prone postcodes.

The analysis of 207,864 registered dogs found Labradors were the most popular (13 per cent), followed by Staffordshire terriers (12 per cent), Maltese Terriers (11 per cent), Jack Russells (10 per cent), Poodles (9 per cent), Kelpies (7 per cent) and Spaniels (5 per cent).

Labradors were particularly in Sandringham where they represented 17.2 per cent of dogs living in that suburb.

Staffies are almost as popular as Labradors. Picture: Mark Stewart

The postcode with the highest percentage of one dog breed is 3024 which encompasses Mambourin, Mount Cottrell and Wyndham Vale with 19.4 per cent of all dogs being Staffordshire terriers.

“You’ll notice that labradors and Staffordshire terriers are popular in the suburbs where families tend to populate and where there are good parks and facilities for dogs,” she said.

“If you go walking in the Exhibition Gardens in the city you won’t see many Irish wolfhounds but labradors are very much a family dog. They don’t even care how much room they have in the back yard, as long their owners spend a lot of time with them. That’s what they love.”

Zolo, 2 is a Maltese. Picture: Mark Stewart

MALTESE

THE temperament that charms everyone from babies to grandmothers is the reason Suzanne Scarcella began breeding Maltese Terriers 30 years ago.

“They may be high maintenance to show but as a pet, you clip them off and they’re very easy,” Ms Scarcella said.

“They’re a magnificent, healthy, smart, intelligent and very entertaining little dog.”

The enjoyment and affection she has received from Zolo, 2, is only further proof that Maltese Terriers are the most gorgeous dogs.

“People really should look for a pure breed though because that’s how you ensure they are healthy and could live for 15-16 years,” she said.

Russell the Staffy, 4. Picture: Mark Stewart

STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

WHEN Russ is outside at his owner’s house, he feels he is being punished.

Owner Selena Vine said that while Staffordshire terriers are popular, it would be a mistake to assume they can be left alone for long periods of time.

“Staffords really need a lot of family time so they’re not suited to living in the backyard,” Mr Vine said.

“People used to think they were aggressive but that’s because they feel they’re being punished if they’re isolated from the family. They are a very low maintenance, practical, short coated dog which is great company with a family.”

Ms Vine presently has three of the dogs at home but has had seven in the past.

“I’m a big dog person but wanted a big dog in a small package and that’s the Staffordshire Terrier.”

Labradors Amber, 4 and Jodie, 9. Picture: Mark Stewart

LABRADOR

THE happy go lucky labrador is the reason why it is the most popular breed in Australia.

But breeder Diane Gnieslaw is quick to point out that labradors are also the most popular in the US, the UK and Canada.

“It’s really about their personality,” Ms Gnieslaw said.

“They’re great with children, great with other dogs and just an all rounder. They can be quite and docile or they can be rowdy and playful, depending on what you’re doing.”

Her dogs Jodie, 9, and Amber, 4, ask for little except a morning play with toys, walks and lots of love.

“A family home is the ideal place for labradors,” she said.

“It’s better if they’re not left at home all day alone but that’s the case for any dog. A dog that’s left alone will become a naughty dog and labradors are really `people dogs’.”