The 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Australia. The Groomer's Guide to Each

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross, and the single most common breed in Adelaide grooming salons. Cavoodles come in three coat types, from soft fleece to tight wool to straight, with fleece the most common. They mat easily without regular brushing, especially around the harness line and behind the ears. The right cut and a consistent schedule make this breed easy. Owners who skip grooming end up with shorter clips than they wanted.

A double coated retriever with a dense undercoat and a longer water repellent topcoat. Goldens shed year round and blow their coat twice a year, in spring and autumn. The coat is not the same as a Lab: Goldens have feathering on the legs, chest, tail and trousers that needs separate attention from the body coat. Never shave a Golden. The double coat regulates their temperature in both directions, and shaving causes patchy regrowth that can take years to recover. Deshedding is the answer, not clippers.

Frenchies have a short single coat that does not mat or grow long, but they have skin folds that need specific care. The face wrinkles, the nose rope and the tail pocket all trap moisture and debris that becomes a yeast or bacterial problem within days if left alone. Daily wiping with a damp cloth and proper drying is essential. Frenchies are also brachycephalic, so they overheat fast in Australian summers, and a collar puts pressure straight on an already compromised airway. A proper Frenchie groom focuses on skin, folds, ears and nails, not on cutting hair, which is why it costs less than a full groom.

Mini Dachshunds come in three completely different coat types: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired, and each needs a different routine and a different price. Smooth coats need a wash, nail trim and skin check rather than a haircut. Longhaired coats need full grooming with attention to the feathering. Wirehaired coats need hand stripping every 4 to 6 months by a groomer who knows the technique. The bigger issue with this breed is IVDD, a spinal condition Dachshunds are at far higher risk of than almost any other breed. Grooming handling matters, and a safe groomer always supports both ends of the dog.

One of the most intelligent breeds in the world by most measures, and a fixture in the Australian top 10. Border Collies come in two coat types, rough and smooth, and both are full double coats. The rough coat with feathering on the legs, chest, tail and trousers is the most common. Both shed exactly the same amount despite the visual difference. Coat blowing happens twice a year. Never shave a Border Collie, because the double coat regulates temperature and shaving can cause permanent damage. Regular deshedding plus daily home brushing during a coat blow is the answer.

A Golden Retriever and Poodle cross, sometimes called a Goldendoodle. Groodles are larger than most other oodles and need more grooming time as a result. Three coat types: wool, fleece and feathered, with fleece the most common. The bigger body means more coat to brush, more time on the table, and a higher full groom cost than smaller doodles. Groodles love water, and the coat mats fast after a swim if it is not dried and brushed properly. The classic teddy bear cut suits most of them.

The Labrador has been Australia's family dog for decades. The coat is short, dense and double layered, with a soft undercoat under a coarse weather resistant topcoat. People assume short coat means low maintenance. It does not. Labradors shed heavily year round and blow their coat in spring and autumn just like longer coated breeds, and the hair is short enough to weave into fabric. Regular professional deshedding clears the dead undercoat and is the single most effective thing for both the dog's comfort and your home. Never shave a Labrador.

Staffies have a short, sleek single coat that needs minimal grooming on paper but more attention than owners often give. The skin under the coat is sensitive and prone to allergies, hot spots, and reactions to soaps, plants and grass. A proper Staffy groom focuses on a gentle hypoallergenic wash, nail trim, ear clean, and a careful skin check across the whole body. Most allergic Staffies are spotted at the groomer first, because we see the early signs before owners notice. Bath products matter more for this breed than almost any other.

German Shepherds shed year round and blow their coat twice a year. They come in three coat types: stock, plush and long stock. The long stock coat, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and trousers, needs the most attention. Hot spots and skin allergies are common in the breed and hide under the impacted undercoat, where trapped moisture and heat sit against the skin. Regular professional deshedding clears the dead hair so air can reach the skin, and prevents most hot spots before they start. Never shave a German Shepherd.

A Labrador and Poodle cross, and famously the breed that started the entire designer dog movement. It was created in Australia in 1989 by Wally Conron at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. Labradoodles come in three coat types: wool, fleece and hair. Wool and fleece coats are low shedding, while hair coats inherit more Labrador and shed significantly, which surprises a lot of owners. The fleece coat is the most common and the one most people picture. Like other oodles, the coat needs regular professional grooming to prevent matting.