Dog1,691 products

Start with a quality complete-and-balanced food matched to your dog's life stage — puppy, adult, or senior — and breed size. Within those constraints, look for a named meat like chicken, lamb, beef, or salmon as the first ingredient, and skip recipes that lead with corn, wheat, or unnamed 'animal derivatives'.

Run your hands along the ribs — you should feel them easily without pressing. From above there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. From the side, the belly should tuck up rather than hang flat. Most Australian dogs are a little overweight, and reducing portions usually beats switching brands.

Less often than most owners think. Healthy dogs with normal coats need a bath every 4-8 weeks using a dog-specific shampoo — more frequent washing strips the natural oils that keep coats healthy. Dogs with skin issues may need medicated baths as directed by a vet. Regular brushing does most of the work between baths.

It depends on the breed and age. A rough starting point is 30-60 minutes of daily active exercise for most medium breeds, more for working and sporting breeds, less for brachycephalic dogs and seniors. Mental exercise — puzzle toys, training, sniffing walks — counts too and often tires dogs out more than a repetitive jog.

First visit within the first week of bringing them home for a general check and to start the vaccination schedule. Puppies need vaccinations through the first 16 weeks, flea and worming from around 2 weeks old, and desexing from around 6 months depending on breed size. Book before the puppy arrives if you can.