If you or your dog have roots in Australia or you have a fascination for the country, you may want to consider giving your dog an Australian name. The Australian names dog owners choose for their pets are as unique and unusual as the country’s fascinating history and diverse landscape. Among Australia’s colloquial terms are “Down Under,” “The Great Southern Land,” and “Oz,” an abbreviated form of Australia. Two of the most beloved dog breeds worldwide are the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog.
Article Summary
What Are the Australian Dog Breeds?
The three dog breeds with the designation of Australia in their names, the Australian Kelpie, the Australian Shepherd, and the Australian Cattle Dog, aren’t all native to the country.
The Australian Kelpie is a breed that originates in Australia. The dog’s coat may be black, blue, red, or tan. The Aussie Kelpie originated in the 19th-century. Collies that were brought to Australia to be working dogs were bred with other breeds, including Dingoes. Breeding with the Australian Dingo was to improve the dog’s performance as working dogs. Between three and four percent of the Aussie Kelpie’s DNA is derived from the Dingo.
The Australian Cattle Dog, with its beautiful, multi-colored coat, may have a predominantly red or blue coat color. The Aussie Cattle Dog is brilliant, motivated, and athletic. The breed has its origins in the Outback of Australia and is a descendant of the Dingo. The dogs closely resemble their ancestors. The coat color of the Aussie Cattle Dog is similar to a Dingo. The dogs were bred to herd cattle through the central portion of Australia.
Are Australian Shepherds “Aussies?”
A beautiful dog with a colorful and stunning coat, the Australian Shepherd, doesn’t have any connection to the country. The breed may have had origins in Australia in the distant past, but no one is sure how it earned its classification. The Australian Shepherd was first bred during the 19th-century on ranches in California.
Presumably, the Australian Shepherd descends from collies and other herding breeds that were brought to the United States from New Zealand and Australia. Some people believe that the Aussie Shepherd’s ancestors were the Pyrenean and Basque Sheepdogs. The breed has official recognition from the Australian Shepherd Club of America, the American Kennel Club, and the United Kennel Club.
Fun and Unique Australian Dog Names
Whether you want your furry friend to have the name of an animal or a famous person from Down Under, there’s a perfect name for every dog and breed. If you need inspiration, here are some favorite Australian dog names that you might like:
- Aussie is just what it sounds like, a person from Australia
- Bindi is a common name for a girl from Australia. The name was made famous by Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve Irwin. Steve was celebrated as an environmentalist, conservationist, wildlife expert, and TV Personality
- Bradbury is for Steven Bradbury, an Australian who competed in the Olympics in Salt Lake City as a speed skater and won the gold medal
- Cate is perfect for a female dog named after actress Cate Blanchett from Australia, who’s won Oscars for Blue Jasmine and The Aviator
- The Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea surrounding Australia on the northeast coast, making Coral is a favorite name for your female dog
- Didgeridoo is a wood instrument with origins in the Australian Aborigine culture and a fun name for a dog
- Wild dogs of the Australian Outback are the inspiration for the name, Dingo
- One of Australia’s most gigantic birds after the Ostrich is the Emu, a name you may want to consider
- Have a cute, male Aussie breed? Name him Hugh after actor Hugh Jackman
- One of Australia’s icons is the Kangaroo. If it suits your dog, why not?
- Koala could be the perfect name for your pet
- The Tasmanian Devil is a small animal that resembles a dog and lives in Tasmania. The animal’s nickname is Taz
- Yellowtail is the name for a Japanese fish common in sushi. In the United States, the most common usage is for the famous Australian wine
Australian Dogs Names For Delicacies and Food
- Barramundi is a staple in many of Australia’s famous seafood dishes
- Chiko is a company that produces an eggroll style-snack that’s a favorite of many Australians
- Jaffa is one of New Zealand and Australia’s favorite types of candy
- Lamington is a traditional-style cake that’s famous throughout the country
- Pavlova may sound Russian, but it’s a fruit and meringue dessert that originates in Australia
- TimTam sounds like a cute dog name, but it’s a chocolate cookie that’s created in Australia
- Vegemite is a spread for toast or bread that’s made from yeast
Dog Names for Locations in Australia
Some of the world’s most unique and beautiful locations are in and around Australia. Here are some inspirational names for your dog.
- You may name your female dog Adelaide after the capital of Australia
- Bendigo, a southeastern city, became famous during the gold rush in Australia
- Brindabella is for the mountains and ski slopes that are southwest of Sydney
- Byron is for a bay on the east coast of Australia that’s famous for its pristine beaches
- Darwin, naturally after Charles Darwin, is a city in the north of Australia
- Off the east coast of Australia is Fraser, an island famous in the history of the country
- Hobart is one of the country’s primary tourist attractions, with a rich cultural heritage
- Kakadu has one of the most diverse ecosystems of animals and plants life in Australia and the name of a national park
- Sydney is the country’s most iconic city, famous for the Sydney Opera House
- The state of Victoria is where the city of Melbourne is located, and you have two perfect names for your canine
- Wagga Wagga is what some dogs do best; located in New South Wales
Australian Slang Names For Dogs
Australians have a lot of fun with nicknames of everything from pets to shortened versions of American terms. Here are some favorites:
- Arvo – afternoon
- Barbie – barbecue
- Choccy – chocolate
- Grommet – young or precocious surfer
- Joey – baby kangaroo
- Mate – friend
- Postie – postman or mailman
- Sheila – woman
- Oz – nickname for Australia
Aboriginal Dog Names
Australian Aborigines have hundreds of beautiful names. Here are a few you may want to consider when naming your dog.
- Alinta – Fire or flame
- BamBam – Different meanings, including bruise and yellow. The usage depends on the language
- Cardinia – dawn
- Daku – sandhill
- Jarli – barn owl
- Kareela – south wind
- Lowanna – woman
- Lutana – moon
- Maroochy – black swan
- Tarni – saltwater or wave
Breed Characteristics Australian Dog Names
As born, herding dogs, Australian dog breeds are famous for their keen intelligence, speed, fast reflexes, and agility. Here are some names that characterize the traits of Australian breeds:
- Bovine
- Zippy
- Snapper
- Speedy
- Lightning
- Gunner
- Dasher
- Roadrunner
- Nipper
- Leopard
- Chipper
- Drover
FAQs
1. What’s are good Australian dog names?
If you still can’t decide on what you should name your dog, here are some excellent suggestions:
- Matilda or Mathilda means brave little maid
- Miki is Aboriginal and means moon
- Roo is a slang term for kangaroo
- Brizzie is slang for Brisbane, Queensland’s capital
- Blue is a favorite name for an Australian Cattle Dog or Blue Heeler
- Amarina is a beautiful name that means rain
- Coorah is an Aboriginal term that’s a perfect female dog name
2. What is the most common dog name in Australia?
The most common dog names in Australia change occasionally. Some of the most common names that rank among the most popular include:
- Archie
- Max
- Bella
- Bear
- Molly
- Chloe
- Charlie
- Buddy
- Lucy
- Coco
- Roxy
Statistics from the New South Wales pet Registry indicate that more than 31,000 dogs in NSW are named Bella. Buffy, Gizmo, and Boof are also among the most common dog names in NSW.
3. Is Aussie a dog name?
Aussie is the slang term for anyone who is Australian. The name can apply to people or animals. Since the common nickname for an Australian Shepherd is an Aussie, it’s one of the most popular dog names. Since the Aussie was first bred in California, some owners prefer a name with a western theme, but many Aussie Shepherd owners prefer Australian names for their dogs.
