Last Updated: 02/07/2025
What's Your Dog Breed's Superpower?
Every dog has a special gift! From lightning-fast Greyhounds to the ultra-loyal Labrador, discover the unique ‘superpower’ that makes your dog breed one of a kind.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 21 minutes - medium read
Dogs are amazing! They have the power to fill us up with unconditional love and friendship. No matter what the breed, every dog has a unique personality to share with the world.
Dog breeds have been adapted over the years with certain skills and features that make them unique. Almost like super powers, these traits have been developed to give certain breeds that little bit extra, making them outstanding!
Discover your dog's Superpower and the reasons behind it!
Dachshund: Super Diggers
While all dogs love to dig from time to time, some breeds seem to have stronger digging instincts than others. Dachshunds were originally bred to dig and burrow down to catch badgers and other prey, hence the reason for their long bodies, sharp claws and good sense of smell.
While very cute and popular pets, Dachshunds are bred to do a job and can become bored easily. A bored Dachshund is more likely to follow their natural digging instinct and dig up a favourite garden while their owners are not home. It is important to provide this breed with plenty of things to do such as interactive dog toys or even consider setting up a dedicated "doggy sandpit".
Some other breeds that love to dig include the Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer and Alaskan Malamute.
Looking for more information on the Dachshund? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide for Dachshund Dogs.
Labrador and Golden Retriever: Super Supportive
Labradors and Golden Retrievers are both naturally loving, gentle, intelligent and eager to please breeds. This is why they are at the top of the list when it comes to supportive working dog roles. Labradors are best known for their role as Guide Dogs for the Blind, these service dogs are specially trained to support people with disabilities and provide them with more independence and a better quality of life. Golden Retrievers are also very popular support and service dogs for both mental and physical health reasons. They can be trained to support many disabilities including mobility and hearing-impairment, and be used as medical alert dogs.
Both of these breeds make excellent emotional support dogs. Emotional support animals are important in reducing stress and anxiety and may be helpful for people diagnosed with autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress or generalised anxiety.
Some other breeds commonly used in supportive roles include the German Shepherd, Staffy and Border Collie.
Looking for more information on the Labrador? Read our articles The Complete Breed Guide For Labrador Retrievers and The Complete Breed Guide For Golden Retrievers.
Greyhound: Super Fast
Not surprisingly the Greyhound breed is known to be the fastest dog breed in the world. With a tall and slender build, flexible spine and large heart, greyhounds are built for speed and bred especially for dog racing.
So how fast are they? Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 74 km/hr in just six strides. They run in a "double suspension gallop", the same as cheetahs, where all 4 feet come off the ground at once. While cheetahs are the fastest land animal, reaching speeds of up to 120km/hr in under 3 seconds, a greyhound has amazing endurance and would eventually outrun a cheetah.
Despite being built for speed, greyhounds don't actually demand a lot of exercise and are happy to lounge around and sleep most of the day. Only requiring a walk once a day makes them excellent pets for busy households. The Greyhound Adoption Programme are a fantastic organisation that rehome ex-racing greyhounds and match them with their forever homes.
Other dog breeds with the superpower of speed include the Afghan Hound, Vizsla, German Shepherd and Dalmatian.
Looking for more information on the Greyhound? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Greyhound Dogs.
Bloodhound: Super Sniffers
The Bloodhound has the best sense of smell of any dog breed. With approximately 300 million scent receptors, bloodhounds are excellent trackers and can follow scents on the ground and in the air. They have been known to follow a trail that is hours to days old.
Originally bred for hunting, the Bloodhound is built for tracking with long and floppy ears that sweep along the ground gathering odours. Their wrinkled skin around the head and neck traps stray scent particles, directing them to their large, open nostrils. Bloodhounds are trained for use in law enforcement, and Search and Rescue, with their tracking abilities being so reliable, the results have been used as evidence in a court of law.
Other excellent tracking breeds include the Beagle, German Shepherd and the Labrador.
Border Collie: Super Smart
Widely heralded as the smartest dog breed in the world, the Border Collie is a busy-minded, hyper-intelligent and hard working dog. They have a high exercise requirement and thrive most when they have a job to do.
Originally bred for herding sheep, the Border Collie's mind loves the challenge of herding, and can quickly become bored if under stimulated. They are highly responsive, easy to train, and well known for being able to seemingly read their master's mind.
Other intelligent dog breeds ranking just behind the Border Collie include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Dobermann, Shetland Sheepdog and Labrador.
Looking for more information on the Border Collie? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Border Collie Dogs.
Great Dane: Super Sized
According to the Guinness World Records, the title of the tallest dog belonged to American Great Dane, Zeus who stood at 1.11 metres measured to the shoulder and a whopping 7 ft when standing on his back legs. Although the title of tallest dog is held by Zeus the Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound breed tends to be taller than the average Great Dane coming in at around 86cm standing.
Often referred to as 'gentle giants', the Great Dane breed generally have a sweet and patient disposition, and love affection. They can make great family dogs, but due to their size they require proper training and daily exercise.
Other dog breeds with super sized powers include The Scottish Deerhound, Leonberger, English Mastiff and the Bullmastiff.
Looking for more information on the Great Dane? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Great Dane Dogs.
Cavoodle: Super Popular
If you have welcomed a Cavoodle into your family in the last few years, then you are not alone. The Cavoodle, a cross between the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is currently Australia's most popular dog.
So what makes the Cavoodle so popular? This small to medium sized designer dog is intelligent, affectionate, and playful, making them perfect family dogs. Their curly soft coat and big floppy ears gives them a 'teddy bear' like appearance, making them extra cuddly! Due to their poodle genetics, they shed very little and are often considered to be hypoallergenic and suitable for owners that suffer from mild allergies.
Some other popular breeds in Australia include the Labrador, Golden Retriever, Maltese Cross and Staffy.
Looking for more information on the Cavoodle? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Cavoodle Dogs.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Super Nanny
A popular breed in Australia, Staffies are intelligent, courageous, energetic and affectionate. Due to their tough appearance and bad press, Staffies are often misunderstood, being branded as aggressive dogs.
Staffies in fact make fantastic family dogs. Nicknamed the "Nanny Dog", they tend to be incredibly good with children and make excellent guardians and playmates that are loyal, devoted and loving.
Some other fantastic family dog breeds include the Golden Retriever, Labrador, Cavoodle, French Bulldog, and Poodle.
Looking for more information on the Staffie? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs.
German Shepherd: Super Protective
Easily one of the most recognisable dog breeds, the German Shepherd is loyal, highly intelligent, energetic and hard working. Originally bred for herding, they are naturally protective and make excellent guard dogs. These qualities have led to the breed being extensively used as working dogs in the military and police, as well as service dogs. They make wonderful family pets and give endless loyalty to their owners and handlers.
Some other breeds that are naturally protective include the Belgian Malinois, Dobermann, Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Bullmastiff.
Looking for more information on the German Shepherd? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For German Shepherd Dogs.
Chow Chow: Super Fluffy
Chow Chows are known for their distinctive look. With a wide flat face, surrounded by a mane of fur, the Chow Chow breed takes on the appearance of part noble-lion and part cuddly teddy-bear. Their fluffy appearance is attributed to their thick woolly undercoat, covered with an outer rough or smooth coat layer. Apart from their adorable fluffy coat, the Chow Chow's most distinctive feature is their blue-black tongue.
Originating from China, the Chow Chow is an independent breed, known for their cat-like personality. They are loyal and develop strong bonds with their owners but can be wary of strangers. Due to their independent personalities, they can be stubborn when training and require an experienced and dedicated pet owner who is willing to put in the work required.
Other super fluffy breeds of dog include Bichon Frise, Pomeranian, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed.
Chihuahua: Super Small
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed, averaging between 1.8kg and 2.7kg in size. According to the Guinness World Records, the smallest dog was a Chihuahua called Miracle Milly, measuring 9.65cm in height fully grown and weighing only 500g.
Named after the Mexican state where they originated, the Chihuahua should not be underestimated due to their small stature. They have big personalities and are naturally curious, outgoing, loving and intelligent. A popular pet, the Chihuahua comes in a short and long coat variety as well as the super petite Teacup Chihuahua.
Some other small dog breeds include the Pomeranian, Toy Poodle and Papillon.
Looking for more information on the Chihuahua? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Chihuahua Dogs.
Further Reading
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