Miley Cyrus has named her dog after her favourite Australian slang term.

The 'Hannah Montana' star has fallen in love with the country's colloquialisms and common phrases since she started dating Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth and has used a well known word for her pet pooch's moniker.

She said: "I just bought a little German Shepherd and I named it 'Mate' because I always say 'mate' now to Liam. So that's my little German Shepherd dog's name."

Miley, 17, started learning Australian slang after 'Triangle' star Liam, 19, bought her a book of phrases from his home country.

She added to take40.com: "Liam actually went to Australia and then came back. The first night he came back - I had gotten really sick - he brought me back a book to make me laugh, of all the lingo. He was like, 'I've never heard half of this stuff but some of it's pretty funny!'

"It's really funny how different yet alike America and Australia are. I think we expect, because it's so far away, to be so different. I can't wait to go sometime, I'd love to perform there."

-The Daily Chilli/Asia News Network