A history of Australian dog breeds

Although many of them lead lives of leisure today, the majority of Australian dog breeds were developed with careers in mind—most on this list were hardworking dogs that herded and protected livestock, assisted in hunting wild game or served as relentless ratters and mousers. When the first British penal colony was established in Australia in 1788, the settlers brought with them herds of sheep and cattle, and within a few decades, livestock numbered in the millions. And thus, the first domestic dogs in Australia were various herding breeds brought by British settlers.

Over time, cattle and sheep herders bred dogs selectively to develop the best herding and droving traits—in some cases, breeding them with wild dingoes, Australia's only indigenous canine. Smaller terrier breeds were also used as workers, as they'd protect their homes from rodents and the many poisonous snakes native to Australia. Most Australian dog breeds still harbor their good work ethic and are happiest when they have a job to do, so get ready to provide some physical and mental stimulation.

And don't be surprised when you don't see the Australian shepherd on this list. That Aussie dog was actually developed in the United States! It was called the Australian shepherd because the Basque shepherds who brought its foundation stock came by way of Australia.

6. Australian stumpy tail cattle dog

This breed might sound like a shorter-tailed version of the Australian cattle dog, but the two Australian dog breeds are very different. While they stand at about the same height, the Stumpy has longer legs, and about two-thirds of them are born with a naturally bobbed tail. These working pups are high energy, take well to training and love activities such as hiking, backpacking and obedience work to keep their minds and bodies sharp. The AKC does say to proceed with caution when introducing a Stumpy to other pets, though.

Today, Stumpies are relatively rare, but interest in the breed is growing due to its loyalty, intelligence and unique look. In addition to their bobbed tails, Stumpies have blueish or light red roan coats.

Breed overview
Height:	17 to 20 inches
Weight:	32 to 45 pounds
Life expectancy:	12 to 16 years

8. Miniature fox terrier

These cute pups are known in their native Australia as mini foxies, and while they are not recognized by the AKC or any other mainstream registry, they are recognized by the Mini Foxie Club of Australia! While rare outside of Australia and New Zealand, mini foxies are highly popular in those countries and beloved for their agility, energy and big-dog personality, despite their compact size.

The breed was originally used to hunt small pests, such as rabbits and rodents, and today, its working spirit remains. Yet, according to the Mini Foxie Club of Australia, foxies are versatile house dogs that will adapt to their human's pace: If you want to run with them, they'll run; if you want to curl up on the couch and watch TV, they're here for it. Mini foxies come in black, white, tan and tricolor coats, and their short coats make them easy to care for.