10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Singapore

10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in Singapore

With the arrival of 2015, dogs have become the most popular pets in families around Singapore and it is not hard to see why. Out of the 150 or more breeds that are made available to us in Singapore, there are a selected few breeds which have made it to the top 10 most popular, and with good reasons!

According to Asiaone.com, these are the top 10 breeds of dogs.

10. Pomeranian

Pomeranian Sometimes called the ‘Pom Pom’, Pomeranians have been a popular choice of family pets for a long time. With their petite size and foxy outlook, the ‘Pom Pom’ has won the hearts of many families across our sunny island.

Interesting Facts

  • Pomeranians are one of the breeds with the smallest average litter size. According to wikipedia, thats roughly around 1.9 to 2.7 puppies per litter. (Numbers are based on an average, it is impossible to have 0.9 of a puppy)
  • They were initially bred as large working dogs in the arctic region. A total opposite from what we see in the breed today.
  • Heat can be a problem for these dogs due to their slightly thicker coat, especially in a tropical country such as ours where the temperature is constantly sweltering.
  • Due to their small size and delicate structure, it is not advisable to let active children play with your Pomeranian without supervision.
  • Pomeranians are often suspicious of strangers and bark often, thus making them excellent guard dogs.

9. Labrador Retriever

Our first large breed of dog to hit the list! Labradors have long been favourites in not just Singapore but all over the world. A simple search on google will show you that Labradors make not only amazing pets but amazing companions and great working dogs. For those of you who don’t already know, theres even a list of ‘Famous Labs’ on wikipedia!

Labradors are known mostly for their sweet disposition and friendly nature. Unfortunately, due to their size, they are not allowed to be kept in HDB flats. 

Interesting Facts

  • As with most big dog breeds, Labradors love to eat! Obesity is a problem if owners don’t learn to control how they feed their big dogs.
  • Labradors were bred initially for physically demanding jobs, which is why they are often seen working with the military or as a guide dog. This also means that they REALLY need their exercise, the lack thereof could cause them to vent their energy in other ways, such as destroying your sofa or destroying anything else they can fit in their mouths.
  • They are mild mannered dogs often with an intelligent, energetic and good natured character, making them amazing additions to the family with or without children.

8. Poodle

The Poodle, not a stranger to our shores, has been around for a long time. Originally bred to hunt waterfowl, Poodles have been described to be affectionate and smart pets with a big character to boot. 

Interesting Facts

  • Toy poodles and Poodles are in fact the same breed of dog, just selectively bred to reach a miniature size!
  • Poodles are extremely intelligent, and proper training is a must. Like the Labrador, a bored poodle is a destructive poodle.
  • Poodles’ coat needs a lot of up-keeping, if you intend to keep a poodle, invest in a professional groomer and you are guaranteed a magnificent animal.
  • While the normal sized poodles are not very common in Singapore, Toy poodles are becoming increasingly popular as with recent times. However, do remember to always get your dog from a reputable breeder or from a pet store which can prove the origin of the dog. It is pivotal that you understand the needs and requirements of these dogs before bringing one home.

7. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is no stranger to us at all, being the world’s smallest dog, the Chihuahua has certainly found a place in our little red dot. While the origin of the Chihuahua is not entirely known, there have been 2 main theories as to how the Chihuahua came about. The first being that he descended from a Central or South American dog known as the Techichi. And the second theory is that small hairless dogs from China were brought to Mexico by Spanish traders and then bred with small native dogs. 

Interesting Facts

  • Chihuahuas has really long lives, sometimes up to 18 years!
  • They are often very confident dogs and are often very attached to their owners.
  • Like the Pomeranian, Chihuahuas also are suspicious of strangers thus making them great watch dogs!
  • Because of their small size, the Chihuahua is almost the perfect dog to keep in a typical HDB flat. This however does not mean that you can neglect walking or giving your dog exercise. A short walk of 20 – 30 minutes a day will go a very long way.

6. Golden Retriever

With roots originating from Scotland, the Golden Retriever (like the Poodle) was initially bred as a working dog to hunt waterfowl. Even till this day, Golden Retrievers are often seen working along side their human counterparts for various jobs. 

Interesting Facts

  • Golden Retrievers do extremely well in family settings with or without young children.
  • Like the Labrador, the Golden Retriever was initially bred as a working dog, as such they need plenty of exercise.
  • While most people do not know, Golden Retrievers come in various shades of gold which usually darken as they grow.

5. Miniature Schnauzer

Often known as a dog with a big heart, Miniature Schnauzers are often described as intelligent and fun loving dogs. They were initially bred as ratters and guard dogs in the late 19th century. Although they have evolved much from those days, the Miniature Schnauzer is still a ball of fun for anyone who intends to own one.

Interesting Facts

  • Miniature Schnauzers are often described as extremely intelligent and as such, training them is often easy. Learning tricks, is also a breeze.
  • They are known to be very articulate and often bark at things that don’t seem to matter.
  • Often fixated by small moving objects, be sure that your dog is leashed before taking him for a walk

4. The Maltese

While it is certainly not surprising that yet another toy breed is in 4th place (because you know, … Singapore *slow clap), the Maltese is a breed that is certainly hard to pass while choosing a companion for you and your family.

Having enjoyed its royal status as canine royalty for centuries, the Maltese has most certainly earned a name for itself.

maltese01 Their small beings often feature a full mantle of soft white hair flowing towards the ground. They also lack an undercoat and typically don’t shed very much. lord-of-the-ring Also, the maltese looks a lot like Saruman. For all you LOTR fans #justsaying

3. Jack Russel Terrier or JRT in short

JRTs have long been a well liked breed of dogs in Singapore, partially due to the small size and playful nature. They also make good family pets and provide a tonne of exercise for you and your kids, if any. Jack-Russel-Terrier WARNING! While JRTs are small and fit into virtually almost any living space in Singapore, they also happen to be one of the most active.

It is of utmost importance that if you intend to bring in a dog such as a JRT into your family, to ensure that the dog gets enough exercise on a daily basis. If you cannot provide the time or the space for the dog to exercise, you are advised not to keep a JRT. Sadly, Singapore has seen many cases where owners abandon their JRT’s because they are unable to tolerate the hyper-activity of this breed.However, JRTs do make great companions and are great additions to a family who is willing to sacrifice time and space for such a dog. Although they are slightly tougher to train compared to certain other breeds, a well trained JRT is an immensely fun addition to your family.

Interesting Facts

  • JRTs DO NOT do well in small spaces due to their hyper activity. It is almost a MUST to walk them on a daily basis.
  • They do extremely well when trained from a young age. Failure to train this dog properly might result in demolition of EVERYTHING below knee level.
  • They were first bred as hunting dogs and as such they have amazing speed and dexterity. (Best to play catch with!)

For those of you who grew up and were around during the 90’s, can you guess the name of that dog? the-mask Yup, its Milo, a JRT appearing in one of the most iconic movies in the 90’s, ‘The Mask’.

JRTs will make great additions to families looking to brighten up their homes, however, please remember, a pet is for life. Not your life, theirs.

2. The Mixed Breeds

While we are not entirely sure what “mixed breeds” entail, we are quite certain that the term/group most definitely contains, for lack of a better word, mongrels. Of course the group has other breeds within it but we felt that we’d be writing about mongrels instead.

Honestly we feel that mongrels deserve this spot 101% mainly because contrary to popular belief, mongrels rarely are given a chance at much in life. From living in the dumpsters to roughing it out in our concrete jungle as we know it, it is extremely heartwarming to see that more and more Singaporeans are giving these dogs a chance to a better life, a loving home and amazing companionship.

Check out how cute and innocent this little guy is!

While many mongrels as of recent years have been given the chance to live with a good family, a big portion of the population still runs wild within the confines of our concrete jungle. Thanks to Facebook and other social media platforms, many action groups have been formed aimed at trying to give these dogs a better future.

Unfortunately, due to the size most mongrels grow to and with no proper regulations with regards to breeding these dogs, they tend to be larger than the standard AVA requirements for the HDB flat. As such, mongrels are not allowed to be kept as pets in any HDB flats.

SPCA also provides a wealth of information for those who wish to be a guardian angel to these lovely dogs. For those who are interested, do head over to the SPCA website and check out their adoption section, or even better, head down one of these days in the afternoon to check out the dogs/puppies that are available for adoption.

Adopting a dog could be the best decision you’ve made in a long time. And even if you cannot meet the requirements to adopt a dog, its always a good idea to volunteer your services to a pet shelter, many of which are understaffed and lack enough workers to give undivided attention to the dogs. So help them out if you can!

1. Shih Tzu

Shih-tzu Cuteness overload*

Interesting Facts

  • Shih Tzu is thought to have been originated from ancient china. Many people think that the Shih Tzu is probably one of the oldest breeds of dogs.
  • The name “Shih Tzu” literally, means “Lion Dog” .
  • According to Dogtime.com, there are NO “teacup” or “imperial” Shih Tzus, rather these terms are used by people to lure unknowing customers to make a quick sale.
  • Because of the flat shape of the Shih Tzu’s face, Shih Tzus are more prone to heat stroke as the air inhaled is not efficiently cooled unlike other dogs with a longer snout.
  • They look like Ewoks from Star Wars, which is pretty awesome.

And for those of you who have no idea what Ewoks are…

Apart from being the most popular dog, Shih Tzus really do have quite a bit going on for them, for one, they are pretty much the perfect sized dog for the average HDB dwellers, with a sweet and playful disposition, Shih Tzus rarely cause any form of ruckus for their owners. Which by the way, if I may add, will save you a TONNE of trouble with those pesky neighbours who go out of their way every once in awhile to make your life as miserable as they can.

As most of you reading this should know, AVA bans the husbandry of certain ‘bigger’ dogs in HDB flats due to the worry that the size of the dog might impede owners from properly taking care of them and some other reasons. While this notion is questionable, the law still applies to everyone living in a HDB flat.