Breed Selector

Q: What is the best food for a Maine Coon?

A large-breed cat formula with joint-support nutrients such as glucosamine and plenty of animal protein. Maine Coons mature slowly — feed kitten formula until 15 months.

Q: Are Kelpies good family dogs?

Yes, with a big asterisk. Kelpies are loyal and gentle with family but need 1–2 hours of hard exercise and mental work daily. Best for active rural or sporty suburban families.

Q: How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

At least 1–2 hours daily plus mental enrichment such as training games, puzzle feeders and agility. Their brains need work as much as their bodies.

Q: Do Ragdoll cats shed a lot?

Yes — their semi-long coat sheds year-round. Brush 2–3 times a week and feed a hairball-control formula. Their lack of undercoat means less matting than other long-haired breeds.

Q: Which dog breeds suit first-time owners?

Labradors, Cavoodles and Staffies are friendly, trainable and adaptable. Avoid high-drive working breeds like Kelpies and Border Collies until you have experience and time.

Q: Are mixed breeds healthier than purebreds?

Often yes — mixed breeds benefit from a wider gene pool, lowering inherited disease risk. But insurance and regular vet checks matter for every pet.

Labrador Retriever

Australia's favourite family dog — loyal, gentle and always up for a swim.

LargeHigh energyGreat with kids

🍖 Best food: High-protein, weight-conscious kibble — Labs love food a little too much!

🛡️ Insurance: Labrador insurance guide — knees & hips

📖 Full Labrador breed guide →

Cavoodle

A cuddly, low-shedding Aussie favourite that suits apartments and families alike.

SmallMedium energyLow shedding

🍖 Best food: Small-breed kibble with omega oils for that curly coat

🛡️ Insurance: Cavoodle insurance guide — knees & ears

📖 Full Cavoodle breed guide →

Australian Kelpie

Smart, tireless and born to work — the Kelpie needs a job, a run and your heart.

MediumVery high energySuper smart

🍖 Best food: High-protein working-dog formula to fuel all that energy

🛡️ Insurance: Kelpie insurance guide — one of the cheapest to insure

📖 Full Kelpie breed guide →

Border Collie

The brainiac of the dog world. Brilliant, bouncy and best with an active owner.

MediumHigh energyTrainable

🍖 Best food: Active-dog formula with joint support for agility

🛡️ Insurance: Border Collie insurance guide — athlete injuries

📖 Full Border Collie breed guide →

Staffy

A big softie in a muscle suit — affectionate, courageous and devoted to its people.

MediumMedium energyPeople-loving

🍖 Best food: Sensitive-skin formula with salmon or kangaroo protein

🛡️ Insurance: Staffy insurance guide — skin allergies

📖 Full Staffy breed guide →

Dachshund

Small body, huge personality. A brave little shadow that loves laps and blankets.

SmallMedium energyApartment OK

🍖 Best food: Weight-control small-breed food — slim backs are healthy backs

🛡️ Insurance: Dachshund insurance guide — IVDD is the big one

📖 Full Dachshund breed guide →

French Bulldog

The inner-city comedian — quiet, compact and endlessly entertaining. Handle the heat with care.

SmallLow energyApartment star

🍖 Best food: Sensitive-stomach small-breed formula — Frenchies are famously gassy

🛡️ Insurance: French Bulldog insurance guide — Australia's priciest breed to cover

📖 Full French Bulldog breed guide →

Golden Retriever

Sunshine in dog form — gentle, patient and devoted. The classic family dog.

LargeMedium-high energyGentle

🍖 Best food: Large-breed formula with omega oils for skin, coat and joints

🛡️ Insurance: Golden Retriever insurance guide — cancer cover matters

📖 Full Golden Retriever breed guide →

German Shepherd

The loyal guardian — smart, brave and devoted to its family. Needs training and a job.

LargeHigh energyProtective

🍖 Best food: Large-breed joint-support formula with glucosamine

🛡️ Insurance: German Shepherd insurance guide — hips & bloat

📖 Full German Shepherd breed guide →

Groodle

A Golden Retriever–Poodle teddy bear — friendly, smart and low-shedding.

Medium-largeHigh energyLow shedding

🍖 Best food: Medium-breed kibble with omega oils for that curly coat

🛡️ Insurance: Groodle insurance guide — two breeds' risk lists

📖 Full Groodle breed guide →

Australian Mist

A home-grown breed that's calm, affectionate and happy living indoors.

MediumCalmIndoor friendly

🍖 Best food: Indoor cat formula with hairball control

🛡️ Insurance: Australian Mist insurance guide — from $25–$45/month

📖 Full Australian Mist breed guide →

Abyssinian

Sleek, curious and playful — an elegant athlete that loves to climb and explore.

MediumHigh energyCurious

🍖 Best food: High-protein active formula for lean muscle

🛡️ Insurance: Abyssinian insurance guide — from $30–$55/month

📖 Full Abyssinian breed guide →

Ragdoll

Goes floppy in your arms just like the name says. Gentle, quiet and endlessly sweet.

LargeCalmGreat with kids

🍖 Best food: Hairball-control formula for that long silky coat

🛡️ Insurance: Ragdoll insurance guide — heart & kidneys

📖 Full Ragdoll breed guide →

Burmese

A chatty, people-focused cat that will follow you from room to room.

MediumPlayfulVery social

🍖 Best food: Portion-controlled salmon recipe — Burmese gain weight easily

🛡️ Insurance: Burmese insurance guide — diabetes risk

📖 Full Burmese breed guide →

Maine Coon

The gentle giant — fluffy, friendly and famously dog-like in its loyalty.

Extra largeCalmFluffy

🍖 Best food: Large-breed cat formula with joint support

🛡️ Insurance: Maine Coon insurance guide — heart & hips

📖 Full Maine Coon breed guide →

British Shorthair

A plush, easy-going companion that's happy to lounge the day away beside you.

MediumLow energyIndependent

🍖 Best food: Weight-care formula for their famously relaxed lifestyle

🛡️ Insurance: British Shorthair insurance guide — heart & kidneys

📖 Full British Shorthair breed guide →

Not sure where to start?

Read: Choosing your first pet

Common questions

Breed & feeding FAQs

What is the most recommended food for a Labrador?

A high-protein, calorie-controlled kibble — Labradors are famously food-obsessed and prone to obesity. Look for named meat first, around 25%+ protein, and measure every meal. Our grain-free kangaroo kibble is a great lean-protein option.

What food should I feed a Cavoodle?

A small-breed formula with omega-3 and omega-6 oils to support their curly, low-shedding coat and skin. Small kibble pieces suit their smaller jaws, and portion control matters — Cavoodles gain weight quickly after desexing.

What is the best food for a Maine Coon?

A large-breed cat formula with joint-support nutrients (glucosamine) and plenty of animal protein. Maine Coons mature slowly — feed a kitten formula until 15 months. See our cat food range.

Are Kelpies good family dogs?

Yes — with a big asterisk. Kelpies are loyal and gentle with their family, but they need 1–2 hours of hard exercise and mental work daily. Without a job to do, they'll invent one (like herding your kids). Best for active rural or sporty suburban families.

What's the best cat breed for an apartment?

Australian Mist, Ragdoll and British Shorthair all thrive indoors. The Australian Mist was literally bred in Australia for indoor life — calm, affectionate and happy without outdoor access.

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

At least 1–2 hours daily, plus mental enrichment — training games, puzzle feeders, agility. A Border Collie that only gets walked will still be bored; their brains need work too.

Do Ragdoll cats shed a lot?

Yes — their semi-long coat sheds year-round and blows coat seasonally. Brush 2–3 times a week and feed a hairball-control formula. The good news: their coat has no undercoat, so it mats less than other long-haired breeds.

Which dog breeds suit first-time owners?

Labradors, Cavoodles and Staffies are forgiving of rookie mistakes — friendly, trainable and adaptable. Avoid high-drive working breeds (Kelpies, Border Collies) until you have experience and time.

Should I get pet insurance for my breed?

Strongly recommended for breeds with known health issues: Dachshunds (backs), Staffies (skin), British Shorthairs (heart), Ragdolls (kidneys). Insure from day one — pre-existing conditions are excluded later. Compare cover in our pet insurance hub with breed-by-breed guides.

Are mixed breeds healthier than purebreds?

Often, yes — mixed breeds benefit from a wider gene pool (hybrid vigour), lowering the risk of inherited disease. But any dog can have health issues, so insurance and regular vet checks matter for every pet.