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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Like most Western nations, Australia is home to many different dogs. These animals are largely kept as companions throughout the country, though sizeable populations are used as working dogs and assistance dogs.
Top 12 Australia Dog Statistics
- Over 48% of all households in Australia own at least one dog.
- Most pet owners in Australia are high income and have children.
- Companionship is the top reason that Australians own dogs.
- The dog training industry in Australia has a market size of $143 million.
- Most Australian dog owners give treats to their canines as a part of training.
- The RSPCA promotes reward-based training for dogs.
- Most dog bite victims in NSW are adults.
- Most dog bites in NSW result in legal action.
- Most dog bite incidents in NSW involve just a single dog.
- The average cost of a dog in Australia is $1,793.
- Australians spent over $20.5 billion on their dogs in 2022.
- The average yearly cost of owning a dog in Australia is $4,247.
Dog Ownership
1. Over 48% of all households in Australia own at least one dog.
(RSPCA Australia)
Compared to other animals, dogs are the most common in Australian households. Only 33% of households own cats, for instance.
2. Most pet owners in Australia are high income and have children.
(RSPCA Australia)
Over 82% of Australians with pets make $100,000 or more, likely because owning a pet takes a considerable amount of expendable income. Furthermore, 86% of pet-owning households are families with children under 18.
3. Companionship is the top reason that Australians own dogs.
(Animal Medicines Australia)
Canine acquisition in Australia is primarily driven by the desire to have a companion, with 52% of owners stating that to be their reason for getting a dog. Other reasons include mental health benefits, relaxation, and good temperament.
Dog Training Statistics
4. The dog training industry in Australia has a market size of $143 million.
(IBISWorld)
While this may seem like an impressive number, countries like the United States devote much more money to dog training. That’s not to say that Australians don’t train their dogs, but they don’t seem to make it a large part of their budget. This number also includes accredited organisations that train assistance dogs.
5. Most Australian dog owners give treats to their canines as a part of training.
(Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action)
According to one survey, 48% of owners give treats to their dogs regularly. The exact context in which they give these treats differs, but we imagine that many were in training situations.
6. The RSPCA promotes reward-based training for dogs.
(RSPCA Australia)
Reward-based training entails training a dog by giving them verbal praise and treats, along with playtime and pets. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or RSPCA, of Australia supports this type of training as opposed to aversive training, which is punishment based.
Dog Bite Statistics
7. Most dog bite victims are adults.
(Office of Local Government)
In New South Wales, it was reported that nearly seven times as many adults were bitten as children in the last quarter of 2023. This information was exclusive to NSW, as not every state does this type of reporting, but we expect that this trend is similar across the country. Generally, it appears that children being bitten by dogs is quite rare. However, dogs biting other dogs is common, exceeding dog bites on adults. Cats and livestock also received a substantial number of dog bites, but not nearly as many as in the other categories.
8. Most dog bites in NSW result in legal action.
(Office of Local Government)
In NSW, many dog bites only resulted in an investigation with no further action required. Sometimes, though, infringements were issued, as were warnings. Occasionally, the dog had to be euthanized. Other times, the dog was simply seized and then taken to the local pound. This most often was the case when the problem was with the owner, not the dog.
9. Most dog bite incidents in NSW involve just a single dog.
(Office of Local Government)
Out of all the dog bite reports in NSW, most of them appeared to only involve a single dog. Therefore, pack behaviour is not the driving force of most dog bites in this state or likely, the rest of Australia. Instead, these occurrences are usually due to bad handling or training of a single dog.
Cost of Dog Ownership Statistics
10. The average cost of a dog in Australia is $1,793.
(Animal Medicine Survey)
The average cost of a dog in Australia is $1,793, excluding those that were given away for free, which is about 20% of all canines. Over 34% of people paid over $2,000 for their dogs. In comparison, the average cost of a cat was only $804, and only 11% of people paid over $1,000 for their felines.
11. Australians spent over $20.5 billion on their dogs in 2022.
(Animal Medicine Survey)
The pet industry is massive in the country, with Australians spending $33.2 billion for pet-related products and services, including food, veterinary services, accessories, grooming, insurance, and training. Dogs specifically account for $20.5 billion of that total.
12. The average yearly cost of owning a dog in Australia is $4,247.
(Animal Medicine Survey)
Out of all pets, dogs cost the most. For instance, cat owners only spend $2,718 a year. All other pets (fish, birds, small mammals, and reptiles) are less than $1,300 annually. Dogs in general are just pricier animals to acquire, and their care—especially their healthcare—can be incredibly expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Australian Dog Statistics
How Many Dogs Are There in Australia?
As of 2022, there were over 6.4 million dogs across all of Australia, which could be found in about 48% of all households. The average number of dogs in pet-owning households was 1.3. (Animal Medicines Australia)
Which Country Has the Most Dogs?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the United States has the most dogs, with 90 million. While Australia is popularly considered one of the top dog-owning countries, it has nowhere near as many as the United States. In fact, quite a few other countries outrank Australia in this regard, including Brazil, China, and Japan. (World Population Review)
What is the Most Popular Dog in Australia?
The Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle Mix) is the most popular dog in
Australia, a title freshly taken from the Labrador Retriever. In fact, the Lab is now #5 on the popularity list, outranked by the Miniature Dachshund, Golden Retriever, and French Bulldog. (Compare the Market)
How Many People Are Killed by Dogs Each Year in Australia?
Sadly, around 100,000 dog attacks occur in Australia each year. Around 3% of people (typically children) must be hospitalised. It seems likely that this issue can be mitigated with proper training and owner research, as 80% of attacks happen at home. (ABC News)
Conclusion
Dog ownership remains steady in Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic boost. About 48% of Australian households own dogs, and many of these owners are high income with families. Dogs are quite expensive, costing over $4,247 a year on average, so expendable income is required to properly care for them.
Dog bites are fairly uncommon in Australia, with serious dog bites being even less common. Most dog bites do not require expensive care. That said, many dog bites do lead to legal action, and of course, those are only the reported ones. This category seems to be extensively underreported.
Sadly, despite a sizeable dog training industry, not many Australians seem to train their dog appropriately, hence why there are so many dog attacks each year.
Featured Image Credit: McCann Michelle, Shutterstock
