Australia’s Top Trending Dog Breeds and Names 2021
We wanted to find out the true extent of national dog ownership and which dogs, breeds and names capture Australian hearts. Read our findings from our bespoke study below.
We love our dogs. They always find a way to bring a smile to our day, or much needed comfort when we’re down. Through all the challenges of the last 18 months, our dogs have been our constant companions, ready to walk, play, or just hang out. Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia wanted to find out the true extent of national interest in dog ownership and which dog breeds capture Australian hearts. We performed a bespoke study into Australian search behaviour, utilising Google search volumes to reveal the current top trending dog breeds of 2021.
*Analysing Google search interest of more than 470 breeds between September 2019 and August 2021, the study uncovered the top dog breeds in search demand across Australia, along with each state and main city. It also took a look into dog names to see what’s trending for our beloved companions right now. Read on to find out the most searched dogs of the year!
Interest in dog ownership stays strong across Australia
What do we want? Pets!
In 2020, Australians showed a surge of enthusiasm for bringing canine companions into their lives, with search interest around new or adopted dogs climbing dramatically. While this trend is easing off slightly in 2021, interest still remains high with over 29 million searches surrounding bringing home a dog across the year.
With many of us now working from home, we have more time to spend with our pets. Australians contemplating adding a pet to their household found the last two years the perfect opportunity to introduce a four-legged friend to their home 1. Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) reported a substantial rise in pet ownership across the country this year, with dogs found in 7% more households than 2019.
However, not every would-be pet owner has found the companion they’re looking for. Searches related to new or adopted dogs are on the rise again since July lockdowns began, with a total of more than 3 million in August alone.
In the last year, there were more than 8.89 million searches around adopting or rescuing a dog. 1AMA reported that 13% of dogs entering Australian homes in 2021 were rescued from animal shelters.
Many Australians are also looking for dogs outside of adoption or rescue, with 20.7 million searches related to new dogs in 2021. In fact, 1 40% of dogs brought home in 2021 came from a breeder, while another 11% were purchased from pet shops.
1 Animal Medicines Australia ‘Pets and the Pandemic’, 2021
Top Trending Dog Breeds Australia Revealed
There’s no doubt about it – Australians are on the hunt for dogs! But which breeds are they looking for?
Smaller dog breeds dominated last year's most searched for list, yet it seems that interest in larger more active dogs has surged for 2021. Perhaps indicative of current climate and a desire for a more active, outdoor furry companion.
Top 10 Trending Dog Breeds
We analysed Google searches of 473 dog breeds, including traditional, pedigree, and cross-breeds, to reveal Australia’s top trending dog breeds– and there’s a few surprises! Does your four-legged friend feature below?
#1 Golden Retriever
Last year’s #2, the Golden Retriever enjoyed a 57% YoY rise in search interest to take out the top spot. Receiving more than 1.7 million searches in 2021, the Golden Retriever’s sweet and social nature can be a draw for all families.
#2 Border Collie
The Border Collie attracted more than 1.5 million searches, a significant 64% increase from 2020 has risen to take the 2nd spot, up from joint 4th place last year. The Border Collie is known for intelligence, perceptiveness, and stubbornness, making them common choices for working and training.
#3 German Shepherd
Moving from 6th place to 3rd, the large and lovable German Shepherd is intelligent and easily trained. The German Shepherd continues the trend of large dogs in the top 10, with a 60% YoY increase in searches to reach over 1.4 million. They are often trained as herding or guard dogs and are a loyal family pet.
#4 Rottweiler
The #4 trending dog nationally is the large, confident and powerful Rottweiler. This breed is famous for their guard instinct and brought in more than 1.4 million searches with a 64% increase in interest YoY.
#5 Cavoodle
Last year’s #1, yet searches for Cavoodles decreased by 13% YoY, to reach a total of just over 1.3 million. A mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, the Cavoodle is in fact a crossbreed, but has been growing in popularity ever since.
#6 Pomeranian
This small and active toy dog of Nordic descent secured 6th place in our top 10 list with a 50% YoY increase and more than 1.2 million searches.
#7 Bulldogs
The first brand new 2021 entrant on our top 10 list is the hardy Bulldog, up from #14 in 2020. This compact and muscular breed saw a 75% YoY increase, bringing in more than 1.1 million searches across the board. This is largely thanks to searches for Bulldogs in NSW, which almost single-handedly boosted them into the top 10.
#8 Shiba Inu
Australia’s #8 most searched for pooch is the Shiba Inu and is another new entrant into this year’s top 10 list, up from #25 last year. The breed received an impressive 89% increase in searches YoY, to total almost 1 million. These iconic hunting dogs from Japan are agile and alert and are often chosen as companion dogs.
#9 Labrador
Another new entrant to the top list, Labradors are known as both friendly companions and useful working dogs. This intelligent breed received 46% more searches YoY for a total of 986k.
#10 Greyhound
The gentle greyhound has made its way into this year’s top #10 thanks largely to a rise in searches for the breed in NSW and is up from #16 last year. Greyhounds saw a 22% increase in searches YoY to reach a total of 981k. Many adopted greyhounds are retired racing dogs that have found new life as an affectionate family pet.
After the top 10, the following loveable breeds made it in to the top 25 list of Australians’ current trending favourites.
Top 25 Trending Dog Breeds in Australia
| Overall Rank 2021 | Breed | Type / Classification | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | YoY Ranking Change +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Retriever | Sporting / Gundog Group | 1,094,000 | 1,722,000 | 57% | 1 |
| 2 | Border Collie | Herding Group | 928,500 | 1,519,500 | 64% | 2 |
| 3 | German Shepherd | Working Group | 898,000 | 1,440,000 | 60% | 3 |
| 4 | Cavoodle | Working Group | 867,500 | 1,420,500 | 64% | 4 |
| 5 | Border Collie | Miscellaneous Class | 1,533,500 | 1,336,500 | -13% | -4 |
| 6 | Pomeranian | Toy Group | 856,500 | 1,287,000 | 50% | 1 |
| 7 | Bulldog | Non - Sporting Group | 643,200 | 1,128,500 | 75% | 7 |
| 8 | Shiba Inu | Utility Group | 523,600 | 991,600 | 89% | 17 |
| 9 | Labrador | Sporting / Gundog Group | 676,000 | 986,000 | 46% | 34 |
| 10 | Greyhound | Hound Group | 802,000 | 981,000 | 22% | 6 |
| 11 | Beagle | Hound Group | 640,000 | 950,000 | 48% | 2 |
| 12 | Cane Corso | Utility Group | 473,700 | 941,600 | 99% | 10 |
| 13 | French Bulldog | Non - Sporting Group | 1,054,500 | 937,500 | -11% | -10 |
| 14 | Australian Shepherd | Working Group | 909,000 | 924,000 | 2% | -10 |
| 15 | Dachshund | Hound Group | 584,000 | 919,000 | 57% | 4 |
| 16 | Cocker Spaniel | Sporting / Gundog Group | 529500 | 901,500 | 70% | 1 |
| 17 | Great Dane | Non - Sporting Group | 552,800 | 881,000 | 59% | 6 |
| 18 | Bull Terrier | Terrier Group | 573,000 | 859,000 | 50% | 0 |
| 19 | Chow Chow | Non - Sporting Group | 556,600 | 834,000 | 50% | 2 |
| 20 | Chihuahua | Toy Group | 538,200 | 832,000 | 55% | 0 |
| 21 | Samoyed | Utility Group | 545600 | 790,200 | 45% | 1 |
| 22 | Chusky | Miscellaneous Group | 521400 | 779,200 | 49% | 2 |
| 23 | Bernese Mountain Dog | Utility Group | 477,600 | 777,200 | 63% | -3 |
| 24 | Tibetan Mastiff | Utility Group | 443,000 | 704,000 | 59% | 1 |
| 25 | Poodle | Non-Sporting Group | 422,200 | 695,200 | 65% | -1 |
While the Golden Retriever may have the lion’s share of searches, not all Australians agree on who is top dog. Search interest for different dog breeds varies by state, with local favourites in some places making it as far as the top spot. In fact, only three breeds made it into the top 10 in every state – Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Rottweiler.
‘Bulldogs’ in NSW
Those searching in NSW showed unmatched attachment to Bulldogs. The Bulldog totalled 544K searches and the French Bulldog tallied 306K. These two consistent favourites are highly searched for all year round, waddling their way into NSW spots #1 and #9 respectively.
Despite their tough, intimidating appearance and thick-set body, modern Bulldogs are often gentle and affectionate. Their laid-back nature makes them perfect for the more crowded suburbs of Sydney. Much like the beloved Pug, many Bulldogs and French Bulldogs enjoy clowning around and are a little goofy.
Cavoodles in QLD and VIC
The Cavoodle has retained the top spot in both QLD and VIC. Cavoodles have a gentle nature and are a family favourite due to how affectionate and lively they are. They are perfect companions for children and are known to get along with all other types of family pets.
Rottweilers find love in NT and WA
The Rottweiler trotted its way into the top 10 in every state– but took out a top 2 spot in NT and 3 in WA as well as 5th in QLD and NSW. Rottweilers are one of the oldest herding breeds, and their history may date back as far as the Roman Empire. Originally working dogs, this unusual breed can be a demanding choice of pet, and needs socialisation, exercise, and stimulating mental challenges to thrive.
Herding Dogs in SA, WA and TAS
Our study found that herding dogs in general have the highest trending search terms in states such as SA, WA and TAS. However, the Border Collie and German Shepherd have bounded their way into hearts in almost every state.
Different states, different dogs
States showed varied tastes in dogs, with only VIC and SA featuring the same breeds in their top 10. Narrowly pawing their way into the top 10 is the Cocker Spaniel (#8, QLD), Bernese Mountain Dog (#8, TAS), and Docker (#5, WA). In 10th spot is Pug (TAS, VIC and WA), Beagle (NSW), Australian Shepherd (NT), Shiba Inu (SA) and Border Collie (QLD)
Top Trending Dog Breeds by Australian State and Territory
| Dog Breed | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Border Collie | 4 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| German Shepherd | 7 | 4 | - | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Rottweiler | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Cavoodle | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | - | 1 | 9 |
| Pomeranian | 6 | - | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Bulldog | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Shiba Inu | 8 | - | - | 10 | - | 9 | - |
| French Bulldog | 9 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | - |
| Beagle | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Greyhound | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Bull Arab | - | 7 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cane Corso | - | 9 | - | - | - | - | 8 |
| Australian Shepherd | - | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Pug | - | - | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | - | - | - | - | 8 | - | - |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Docker | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | - | - | - | - | 7 | - | - |
| Bull Terrier | - | - | 9 | - | - | - | - |
| Cocker Spaniel | - | - | 8 | - | - | - | - |
When it comes to picking the prime pooch, how do our main cities stack up? Australia’s big cities had more similarities than our state by state comparison – but the study also revealed a few unusual differences.
The lovable Golden Retriever had universal appeal, with a top #3 result in every capital city and notably #1 in Hobart. On top of this, 6 other dogs made it into the top 10 in every capital city: the Border Collie, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Cavoodle, French Bulldog and Australian Shepherd.
Cavoodle still king in capital cities
Despite falling in searches overall, the adorable Cavoodle still took the number #1 spot in the capital cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. Cavoodles don’t require much space and are known to thrive on human companionship, so it’s clear why Australians are still searching for this cross.
Sydney searches for smaller dogs
Smaller and more laid-back breeds of dog continue to bring in high numbers of searches in Sydney. The study found that non-sporting & toy breeds such as the Cavoodle (#1), Bulldog (#2), French Bulldog (#4) and Pomeranian (#5) dominated the top 5 for this city.
Greyhound in Darwin
The Greyhound is favoured in Darwin and NT again this year, retaining its crown as the top breed with 5,680 searches and a 53% YoY increase. Greyhounds can make wonderful family-friendly companions and are easy to clean and care for.
‘The Aussie’ still in demand in every capital city
Whilst the energetic Australian Shepherd did not make it into this year’s national top 10, this beautiful breed still featured within the top 10 for every capital city.
Top Trending Dog Breeds by Australian Main City
| Dog Breed | Sydney | Darwin | Brisbane | Adelaide | Hobart | Melbourne | Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Border Collie | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| German Shepherd | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Rottweiler | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Cavoodle | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Pomeranian | 5 | - | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Bulldog | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Shiba Inu | 10 | - | - | 10 | - | 9 | 9 |
| Labrador | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| French Bulldog | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Beagle | - | - | - | - | 10 | - | - |
| Greyhound | - | 1 | 10 | - | - | - | - |
| Cane Corso | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Australian Shepherd | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Pug | - | 9 | - | 9 | 7 | - | - |
| Bull Arab | - | 8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Labrador Corso | - | - | 9 | - | - | 10 | 10 |
Australia’s Top Trending Dog Names
How do you choose the perfect pet name?
Finding the right name for your new four-legged friend can be a tough task. If you’re looking for inspiration, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia has done the digging on the top trending pup names of 2021 and the results are in.
We analysed search volumes of 654 well-known, popular dog names as well as including terms across categories such as famous, food, and location to see what was trending throughout the year and, where Australians may be taking inspiration from when naming their dogs. The nation’s current trending favourite monikers are revealed through an index ranking score, based on growth in search popularity and YoY change. It’s clear that we draw inspiration from the things we love as well as what’s happening in the world around us – from celebrities to popular culture and, of course, the colour of our companion’s fur!
Overall trends
This year 44% (11 out of 25) of the top 25 trending dog names were male, followed by traditional female names at 36% (9 out of 25). The remaining 20% consisted of terms inspired by our favourite food & drink choices (5 out of 25).
TV and film are often an inspiration
Loki dominated as the most searched pup name of 2021, an ode to the Loki television series that aired its first episode in June, accumulating nearly 1.1 million searches. The fictional ‘God of Mischief’ and popular Marvel character saw a 553% YoY increase and 6.53 popularity index score. Loki wasn’t the only superhero character to make the top 20, with Hawkeye coming in at #19. Other names that might be inspired by what we see on the screen are Moxie (#3) after the Moxie girls in the 2021 comedy movie, and Ava (#6) the main character from the eponymously titled film.
Fictional dog characters also made it into the top spots. Odie from the Garfield comic strip is still clearly favoured and came in at number #9, down two positions from #7 since last years study while Lady, (#5) may well be an ode to the beloved Lady and the Tramp.
Delicious dog names rank highly
Food and drink may continue to inspire choice. Drinks featured highly in overall listing with the classic cocktail Gimlet ranking at #7, along with Coffee at #11 and Cider at #14. Food featured a little further down the list with Mochi at #22, Bagel at #35 and Pumpkin at #44.
Popular human names feature in our trending list
More than anything else, our dogs are our friends and important parts of our lives. Reflecting this, it’s no surprise that ordinary human names dominated the top 25 trending dog names, with Loki (#1), Autumn (#2), Ava (#6), Sophie (#8), Mimi (#10), Bianca (#12) and Tyson (#13, up from #21 in last year's study) and are all popular baby names in their own right. Does your four-legged friend feature in this top list?
| Overall Rank 2021 | Name | Category | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | YoY Ranking Change +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loki | Male | 167400 | 1093700 | 553% | 6.53 | 217 |
| 2 | Autumn | Female | 197800 | 1119300 | 466% | 5.66 | - |
| 3 | Moxie | Female | 37300 | 209400 | 461% | 5.61 | 44 |
| 4 | Chewy | Male | 25600 | 127400 | 398% | 4.98 | 50 |
| 5 | Lady | Female | 58800 | 248400 | 322% | 4.22 | - |
| 6 | Ava | Female | 85200 | 300700 | 253% | 3.53 | 145 |
| 7 | Gimlet | Food | 62600 | 205800 | 229% | 3.29 | - |
| 8 | Sophie | Female | 61200 | 182800 | 199% | 2.99 | 146 |
| 9 | Odie | Male | 20200 | 55300 | 174% | 2.74 | -2 |
| 10 | Mimi | Female | 73200 | 179500 | 145% | 2.45 | - |
| 11 | Coffee | Food | 2751000 | 6166000 | 124% | 2.24 | - |
| 12 | Bianca | Female | 35900 | 74900 | 109.% | 2.09 | - |
| 13 | Tyson | Male | 32400 | 66300 | 105% | 2.05 | 7 |
| 14 | Cider | Food | 111500 | 226200 | 103% | 2.03 | - |
| 15 | Juno | Female | 130900 | 257900 | 97% | 1.97 | 180 |
| 16 | Cj | Male | 36400 | 70600 | 94% | 1.94 | - |
| 17 | Vinnie | Male | 501000 | 942500 | 88% | 1.88 | - |
| 18 | Zeke | Male | 13700 | 25700 | 88% | 1.88 | 126 |
| 19 | Hawkeye | Male | 90300 | 168100 | 86% | 1.86 | - |
| 20 | Zoey | Female | 14700 | 27200 | 85% | 1.85 | - |
| 21 | Felix | Male | 105300 | 191400 | 82% | 1.82 | 158 |
| 22 | Mochi | Food | 217600 | 390800 | 80% | 1.80 | - |
| 23 | Brew | Food | 499600 | 895000 | 79% | 1.79 | - |
| 24 | Joey | Male | 81500 | 144900 | 78% | 1.78 | 64 |
| 25 | Pepper | Male | 172200 | 305500 | 77% | 1.77 | 147 |
Which dog name category was the most popular?
This year we analysed search volumes of six different categories to understand name trend findings at a broader level. Does your new fur baby fit into any of these top categories?
#1 Male
The most searched category overall was male names, accumulating a huge 121 million searches and an 8% YoY increase across 2021. Top names in this category are reflective of 2021 popular culture, movies, and sport.
Top ten searches:
- #1 Loki
- #2 Chewy
- #3 Odie
- #4 Tyson
- #5 Cj
- #6 Vinnie
- #7 Zeke
- #8 Hawkeye
- #9 Felix
- #10 Joey
Top Trending Male Dog Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loki | 167,400 | 1,093,700 | 553% | 6.53 | 1 |
| 2 | Chewy | 25,600 | 127,400 | 398% | 4.98 | 4 |
| 3 | Odie | 20,200 | 55,300 | 174% | 2.74 | 9 |
| 4 | Tyson | 32,400 | 66,300 | 105% | 2.05 | 13 |
| 5 | Cj | 36,400 | 70,600 | 94% | 1.94 | 16 |
| 6 | Vinnie | 501,000 | 942,500 | 88% | 1.88 | 17 |
| 7 | Zeke | 13,700 | 25,700 | 88% | 1.88 | 18 |
| 8 | Hawkeye | 90,300 | 168,100 | 86% | 1.86 | 19 |
| 9 | Felix | 105,300 | 191,400 | 82% | 1.82 | 21 |
| 10 | Joey | 81,500 | 144,900 | 78% | 1.78 | 24 |
#2 Female
Inspiration as to what we call our new pets can be drawn from current popular baby names as Ava, Sophie and Mimi all take top spots in this category and are favoured newborn infant names in their own right. This category received 43.3 million searches with a 5% YoY increase. Autumn, the top name in the female category and 2nd most searched name overall brought in 1.1 million searches, with a 5.66 index score and 466% YoY increase.
Top ten searches:
- #1 Autumn
- #2 Moxie
- #3 Lady
- #4 Ava
- #5 Sophie
- #6 Mimi
- #7 Bianca
- #8 Juno
- #9 Zoey
- #10 Josie
Top Trending Female Dog Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autumn | 197,800 | 1,119,300 | 466% | 5.66 | 2 |
| 2 | Moxie | 37,300 | 209,400 | 461.% | 5.61 | 3 |
| 3 | Lady | 58,800 | 248,400 | 322% | 4.22 | 5 |
| 4 | Ava | 85,200 | 300,700 | 253% | 3.53 | 6 |
| 5 | Sophie | 61,200 | 182,800 | 199% | 2.99 | 8 |
| 6 | Mimi | 73,200 | 179,500 | 145% | 2.45 | 10 |
| 7 | Bianca | 35,900 | 74,900 | 109% | 2.09 | 12 |
| 8 | Juno | 130,900 | 257,900 | 97% | 1.97 | 15 |
| 9 | Zoey | 14,700 | 27,200 | 85% | 1.85 | 20 |
| 10 | Josie | 23,700 | 37,400 | 58% | 1.58 | 29 |
#3 Food & Drink
Have your favourite go-to snacks throughout lockdown influenced your dog's name? With 24.1 million searches this category had a 23% rise in YoY volume, showing that many of us are looking for new recipes and treats to keep us busy through lockdown. Does your dog look reminiscent of a Gimlet or does she have Coffee coloured fur?
Top ten searches:
- #1 Gimlet
- #2 Coffee
- #3 Cider
- #4 Mochi
- #5 Brew
- #6 Bagel
- #7 Pumpkin
- #8 Butter
- #9 Crackers
- #10 Sazerac
Top Trending Food & Drink Themed Dog Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gimlet | 62,600 | 205,800 | 229% | 3.29 | 7 |
| 2 | Coffee | 275,1000 | 6,166,000 | 124% | 2.24 | 11 |
| 3 | Cider | 111,500 | 226,200 | 103% | 2.03 | 14 |
| 4 | Mochi | 217,600 | 390,800 | 80% | 1.80 | 22 |
| 5 | Brew | 499,600 | 895,000 | 79% | 1.79 | 23 |
| 6 | Bagel | 199,600 | 294,200 | 47% | 1.47 | 35 |
| 7 | Pumpkin | 229,800 | 329,500 | 43% | 1.43 | 44 |
| 8 | Butter | 210,900 | 294,400 | 40% | 1.40 | 48 |
| 9 | Crackers | 52,200 | 65,800 | 26% | 1.26 | 85 |
| 10 | Sazerac | 22,200 | 26,000 | 17% | 1.17 | 132 |
#4 Location
The following locations could make for a great name for a new addition to the family if you are dreaming of a distant travel. Location was the fourth-largest category, with 6.5 million searches and has remained consistent YoY. Are any of these bucket-list locations inspiration for your next dog’s name?
Top ten searches:
- #1 Israel
- #2 Albany
- #3 Roma
- #4 Kingston
- #5 Jamaica
- #6 Andorra
- #7 Raleigh
- #8 Alabama
- #9 Cuba
- #10 Virginia
Top Trending Location Themed Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Israel | 563,600 | 816,500 | 45% | 1.45 | 39 |
| 2 | Albany | 192,500 | 230,300 | 20% | 1.2 | 116 |
| 3 | Roma | 166,800 | 192,800 | 16% | 1.16 | 146 |
| 4 | Kingston | 136,900 | 156,000 | 14% | 1.14 | 164 |
| 5 | Jamaica | 183,500 | 200,700 | 9% | 1.09 | 226 |
| 6 | Andorra | 107,200 | 116,800 | 9% | 1.09 | 236 |
| 7 | Raleigh | 19,500 | 21,000 | 8% | 1.08 | 255 |
| 8 | Alabama | 131,600 | 133,100 | 1% | 1.01 | 365 |
| 9 | Cuba | 286,000 | 287,700 | 1% | 1.01 | 379 |
| 10 | Virginia | 134,700 | 133,600 | -1% | 0.99 | 408 |
#5 Gender Neutral
Also known as epicene names, gender-neutral monikers received 4.1 million searches with a 13% category growth YoY, showing that the popularity of these names is continuing to grow and may well be influencing how we name our pets. Jordan was the top gender-neutral name for 2021 (1.07M million searches, 74% YoY and 1.74 index score). The popularity of this name could be attributed to the successful Netflix series ‘The Last Dance’ focused on Michael Jordan’s professional basketball career.
Top ten searches:
- #1 Jordan
- #2 Wesley
- #3 Claude
- #4 Reagan
- #5 Emerson
- #6 Bronte
- #7 Cassidy
- #8 Adrian
- #9 Merrick
- #10 Monet
Top Trending Gender Neutral Dog Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan | 617,200 | 1,073,500 | 74% | 1.74 | 26 |
| 2 | Wesley | 360,00 | 58,900 | 64% | 1.64 | 28 |
| 3 | Claude | 11,700 | 17,200 | 47% | 1.47 | 37 |
| 4 | Reagan | 26,000 | 37,400 | 44% | 1.44 | 43 |
| 5 | Emerson | 53,900 | 75,100 | 39% | 1.39 | 49 |
| 6 | Bronte | 51,800 | 67,700 | 31% | 1.31 | 69 |
| 7 | Cassidy | 15,900 | 20,600 | 30% | 1.30 | 74 |
| 8 | Adrian | 33,800 | 42,900 | 27% | 1.27 | 81 |
| 9 | Merrick | 18,200 | 23,100 | 27% | 1.27 | 82 |
| 10 | Monet | 118,400 | 150,200 | 27% | 1.27 | 83 |
#6 Famous
From Disney classics to timeless films featuring iconic dogs, many of us are inspired to name our dogs after the characters we know, love and have grown up watching. This category saw 728,800 searches which was a 7% decrease compared to last year. The top name in this category ‘Tramp’ totalled 52,900 searches (10% YoY increase, 1.1 index score) and features in Disney's 1955 movie “Lady and the Tramp.” Do any of these famous pup names fit your new dog?
Top eight searches:
- #1 Tramp
- #2 Marmaduke
- #3 Brian
- #4 Lassie
- #5 Pluto
- #6 Goofy
- #7 Astro
- #8 Snowball
Top Trending Famous Dog Names
| Category Rank | Name | 2020 | 2021 | YoY% | Index | Overall Rank 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tramp | 48,100 | 52,900 | 10% | 1.10 | 217 |
| 2 | Marmaduke | 47,900 | 50,900 | 6% | 1.06 | 277 |
| 3 | Brian | 41,800 | 44,100 | -3% | 1.06 | 286 |
| 4 | Lassie | 54,800 | 53,200 | -3% | 0.97 | 455 |
| 5 | Pluto | 234,900 | 213,600 | -9% | 0.91 | 537 |
| 6 | Goofy | 155,900 | 139,600 | -10% | 0.9 | 550 |
| 7 | Astro | 155,000 | 134,200 | -18% | 0.87 | 576 |
| 8 | Snowball | 49,400 | 40,300 | -18% | 0.82 | 603 |
Here to help with your dog
We all love our dogs, and try our best to make their daily lives happy and healthy. But if you’re a new pet parent, it can be hard to know how to look after your beloved friend the right way. Fortunately, Hill's Pet Nutrition is here to help. We’ve put together top tips and advice from our pet experts on topics from care, to training, to nutritional needs. No matter which breed or pup you adore, we’re there at every stage of your dog’s development to help them live their best life.
Remember, before getting a new dog or puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re ready for a new pet in your home. You will need to give your dog the attention and care they need throughout their life, so think carefully about whether you’re ready to make a long term commitment and care for a new friend. Consult with your family and talk to your vet if you already have other pets in the house. Consider adopting or rescuing a dog if you are able.
Interested in reading more about ‘pupular’ dogs, breeds, and names? Then visit our 2020 top trending dogs study to see how search trends have changed.
Methodology
*Hill’s Pet Nutrition used data sourced from Google Keyword Planner to perform a bespoke data study based on over 368 million Google search volumes to identify changes in search behaviour around dog ownership due to the current climate across Australia. The study identified search volume and interest around dog adoption and rescue, getting a new dog, dog breeds, dog characteristics and dog names to highlight Australia’s current search interest in ownership and trending dog breeds and dog names.
The data was distilled at a nationwide and state level to provide further insights on dog ownership and the rise in search interest.
All breeds were ranked in two phases, by search volume and by percentage increases. A search ‘popularity’ index score based on growth in search and YoY change was applied, in order to reveal a list of current top trending dog names. Further, for names, data was filtered to reveal the top 50% in terms of search volume in order to avoid anomalies. The data relates only to search term volume, which may not correlate to actual preference of the nation. We can, however, draw the conclusion that the rise in search terms may be indicative of popularity or favouritism.
The study collated and analysed Google searches from September 2019 – August 2021 which allowed isolation of search behaviour in two twelve-month chunks (Sept 2019 - Aug 2020 & Sept 2020 - Aug 2021) to provide a YoY comparison. All data is correct and representative as of September 1, 2021. Full methodology is available on request.
Well known popular dog names:
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