"Designer dogs" and cross breeds accounted for about half the top 20 breeds but pure breeds such as labradors and golden retrievers also hold a special place in dog owners' hearts.

There was also a good mix of sizes from tiny miniature dachshund through to larger breeds like the German shepherd.

"It's always great to see these types of lists," Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia said.

"It's a really wonderful gauge to see how pet owners are choosing their beloved breeds."

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Cavoodles (a cross between a cavalier King Charles and poodle) were the most popular Australian breed for 2020, with Maltese crosses, labradors, Staffordshire bull terriers and golden retrievers rounding out the top five.

"The top two breeds are smaller well-known breeds that are certainly crowd-pleasers and make wonderful family companions," Ms Crighton said.

"... designer breeds have certainly taken off over the past 10 years and are proving very popular with pet owners around the globe.

"That is no surprise considering their lovely natures and beautiful looks."

Ms Crighton said pet ownership and adoption were on the rise in Australia.

"Since COVID-19 pet ownership is certainly on the rise with many deciding it's the perfect time to get a family pet," Ms Crighton said.

"It will be interesting to see if this affects the breeds mentioned in our top 20 dog breeds in 2021."