For curious dog people
Small dogs.
Big questions.
Clear Australian answers for everyday training, seasonal dangers, food questions and those moments when you need to know whether to call the vet.
THE DOGS BEHIND GOOD DOG QUESTIONS
Meet your hosts
Say hello to Frankie and Waffles, the real dogs behind the questions.
HOLIDAYS WITH DOGS
A holiday for the whole family.
NEW STORIES
Active dogs. A world of personalities.
WORKING DOGS
Search-and-Rescue Dogs: Which Breeds Suit the Job, and How Are They Trained?
Meet the dogs that help find missing people. Explore suitable breeds, search methods, handler training and why temperament matters more than pedigree.
Read the article ↗ACTIVE DOGSWhich Dog Sport Is Right for My Dog? Breeds, Temperament and Beginner Options
Explore agility, scent work, flyball and more. Use breed tendencies and your dog’s individual temperament to choose a suitable Australian beginner class.
Read the article ↗ACTIVE DOGSHow Do I Get Started in Dog Agility in Australia?
Start dog agility in Australia with suitable classes, useful foundation skills and realistic advice for different breeds, small dogs and mixed breeds.
Read the article ↗BREEDS AROUND THE WORLDAround the world in eight dog breeds
Explore eight countries through their dog breeds, original jobs and temperament tendencies, with practical advice for choosing an individual dog.
Read the article ↗BREEDS AROUND THE WORLDGerman dog breeds and the jobs behind their personalities
Meet Dachshunds, German Shepherds and Miniature Schnauzers: their original jobs, temperament tendencies and practical questions for everyday family life.
Read the article ↗BREEDS AROUND THE WORLDJapanese dog breeds beyond the familiar fox face
Explore Shiba, Japanese Akitainu and Japanese Spitz history, temperament tendencies and the everyday commitments to consider before choosing a dog.
Read the article ↗Popular questions now
Spring safety and everyday care
Timely Australian guides, written to help you take the next sensible step.
SPRING SAFETY · NEW
My dog was stung by a bee—what now?
Emergency warning signs, safe first steps and when to call your vet.
Read the guide ↗ LOCAL LAWS · BREED FILESDangerous dogs and prohibited breeds
Queensland’s five prohibited breeds, Brisbane keeping rules and what Staffy owners should know.
Read the guide ↗ TICKS · EMERGENCYParalysis tick symptoms in dogs
Recognise a changed bark, gagging, weakness and breathing problems—and know what to do immediately.
Read the guide ↗ CANE TOADS · EMERGENCYMy dog licked a cane toad—what now?
Immediate mouth-wiping first aid, symptoms and when to go straight to an emergency vet.
Read the guide ↗ SNAKES · EMERGENCYSnake bite in dogs: signs and what to do
Why apparent recovery can be misleading after an eastern brown snake encounter.
Read the guide ↗ RESEARCH COMPARISON · TOUGH TOYS10 toys for dogs who destroy everything
Our Frankie-focused Australian guide to tougher, more engaging toys—with retailers and prices.
Read the comparison ↗ SPRING ALLERGIESWhy is my dog licking its paws?
Allergy, infection, irritation, injury and the signs that need a vet.
Read the guide ↗ GRASS SEEDSGrass seed in a dog’s paw
What sudden licking, swelling or limping may mean after a walk.
Read the guide ↗ HOT WEATHERDog heatstroke symptoms
Emergency warning signs, safe first aid and summer prevention.
Read the guide ↗ SUN SAFETY · NEWCan I put human sunscreen on my dog?
Why some products can be toxic, who is prone to sunburn and safer Australian sun protection.
Read the guide ↗ BUSHFIRE PLAN · NEWWhat belongs in a dog evacuation kit?
A Queensland packing checklist, pet-friendly destination plan and steps for leaving early.
Read the guide ↗ PET INSURANCEDoes pet insurance cover snake bites?
How reimbursement, excesses, limits and exclusions affect a claim.
Read the guide ↗ BACKYARD SAFETYToxic garden plants for dogs
Recognise cycads, Brunfelsia, oleander and other Australian garden risks.
Read the guide ↗ TICK PREVENTIONProtecting your dog from ticks
Products, daily searching and safer routines for high-risk areas.
Read the guide ↗ DOG FOODCan dogs eat watermelon or mango?
Safe portions, parts to remove and the fruits dogs must never eat.
Read the guide ↗ FRANKIE'S KITCHEN · NEWHomemade dog treat recipe bank
Eleven homemade treats, including five new recipes—with pictures, small-dog portions and fridge/freezer storage instructions.
Browse the recipes ↗ PUPPY TRAININGA practical toilet-training schedule
When to go outside, how to reward and what to do after an accident.
Read the guide ↗ VET COSTS · AUSTRALIAHow much does a vet visit cost?
Published fee examples, treatment-estimate questions and pet-insurance checks.
Read the guide ↗ TRAINING · PUPPIESPuppy training basics
A calm, reward-based plan for the habits that matter most.
Read the guide ↗ TRAINING · DACHSHUNDSToilet training the stubborn sausage
A routine designed for a little dog with very definite opinions.
Read the guide ↗NEW · TOY DOG SERIES
Small companions. Real needs.
Meet ten well-known toy breeds, with real photographs and thoughtful care profiles.
Explore the toy dog series →DESIGNER CROSSBREEDS
Ten familiar names. Ten individual dogs.
Look beyond the label: real photographs, care commitments and questions worth asking.
Explore the designer-crossbreed series →The breed files
Every dog has a story.
Compare popular Australian companions, from small dogs with big personalities to clever working breeds and famous retrievers.
01Miniature Dachshund↗02Cavoodle↗03Border Collie↗04Golden Retriever↗05Labrador Retriever↗06French Bulldog↗07Poodle↗08Staffordshire Bull Terrier↗09German Shepherd↗10Groodle↗11Cavalier King Charles Spaniel↗12Bichon Frise↗13Maltese↗14Havanese↗15Greyhound↗16Whippet↗17Italian Greyhound↗18Chihuahua↗19Shih Tzu↗20Miniature Schnauzer↗21Australian Kelpie↗22Australian Cattle Dog↗23Australian Shepherd↗24Belgian Malinois↗25Rough Collie↗26Shetland Sheepdog↗27Bearded Collie↗28Old English Sheepdog↗29Maremma Sheepdog↗30Rottweiler↗
Behind the questions
Inspired by life with Frankie and Waffles.
Frankie and Waffles supply the daily questions, the comic timing and plenty of material for this growing collection. The care guides help you start with sensible steps and recognise when professional help is needed.
Meet Frankie and Waffles