Australian Terrier

Among the touches of home that 19th century British settlers brought to Australia were several breeds of working terrier. The Aussie is said to be the result of interbreeding such British mainstays as the Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Norwich, Scottie, Skye, and Yorkshire terriers—and a practiced eye can spot aspects of these and other terriers in the Aussie makeup. Aussies were bred to be fearless, all-purpose exterminators, working on small mammals and snakes. (A breed historian says that the Aussie employed a “leap-twist-and-pounce” approach to snake killing.) Life in the remote regions of Australia with little company forged a tight bond between Aussies and their people. These tough little frontier dogs, among the smallest of the working terriers, proved to be cuddly, eternally devoted pets when the day’s work was done. To this day, outgoing Aussies are people-oriented companions who don’t do well when neglected—they practically demand to be part of the family. The Australian Terrier can make a fair claim to being “Australia’s Dog.” It was the first native breed to be officially recognized in its homeland, and the first Australian breed to be recognized in other countries. The first club devoted to the breed was founded in Melbourne in 1887, a breed standard was devised, and imports to America and Britain began soon after. The Kennel Club (England) granted the Aussie breed status in 1933, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1960.

A small, sturdy, medium-boned working terrier, rather long in proportion to height with pricked ears and docked tail. Blue and tan, solid sandy or solid red in color, with harsh-textured outer coat, a distinctive ruff and apron, and a soft, silky topknot. As befits their heritage as versatile workers, Australian Terriers are sound and free moving with good reach and drive. Their expression keen and intelligent; their manner spirited and self-assured.

The Australian Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

The Australian Terrier’s harsh, weatherproof, double coat does a good job of repelling dirt and mud, and is very easy to maintain. A quick brushing once a week is usually enough to keep it in fine shape. The long hairs that grow in front of and between the eyes can irritate the eyes if left unchecked; fortunately, they are easily plucked out with tweezers or fingers. An Aussie should have a bath only when needed. Shampooing softens the harsh coat, rendering its dirt-shedding capability ineffective, and too much bathing can also make the Aussie’s skin dry and flaky. As with all breeds, the Aussie‘s nails should be trimmed regularly.

Terriers in general have a high energy level, and the Aussie is no exception. The breed is very active and requires regular exercise to keep from becoming bored and unhappy. Boredom leads to undesirable behavior. Daily play sessions, indoors or out, will keep an Aussie happy and well adjusted. However, these sessions must take place is a securely fenced yard, and when on walks or hikes, an Aussie must be on a leash. Aussies should never run loose—their instinct to hunt is very strong, and they might not be able to resist running off to chase a cat or squirrel, and might pursue their prey so far from home that they can’t find their way back.

Aussies, like many terriers, benefit greatly from puppy training classes and introductory obedience with treats, toys, or praise. Aussies are easily bored with routine, so training sessions will be short, whether the owner wants them to be or not. They are also willful and stubborn, so a firm, consistent approach is necessary. Even with training, though, an Aussie can be reluctant to share toys or human attention, and two males may not be able to share a household.

In general, the Aussie is a sturdy breed with few health problems. A responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health conditions such as luxating patella (a dislocated kneecap called a “trick knee” in humans) and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a malformation of the hip joint that manifests early and can be corrected with surgery. Some dogs can develop itchy skin conditions, and flea control is essential. As with all breeds, the ears should be checked regularly, and the teeth should be brushed often.

Terrier

Used for snake and rodent control, the Australian Terrier is native to Australia and is a small working breed. Also used as a watchdog to assist in protecting the livestock, this little dog was developed by crossing several other terrier breeds. This little dog is also great with agility, tracking, and performing tricks.

Small, 10-12” (or more) at the shoulders, weighing anywhere from 12-14 pounds. Their double coat is about 3” long, with an over coat that is stiff and waterproof, and an under coat that is soft. The coat colors can be solid in a sandy or red, blue and tan, or various shades of blue.

The Australian Terrier has a life expectancy of 15 years. Other than luxating patellas, this breed is generally healthy.

The Australian Terrier is a lot of courage in a little body. They are spirited, tough, curious, self-confident, intelligent, and an excellent watchdog. They are great family companions, alert and playful. They do like to dig so you will need to redirect this breed to a digging pit. They have high prey drive and will readily chase squirrels, cats, rabbits and other small critters. Be sure to socialize this dog as a puppy to people and other animals because they can be bossy and show male/male aggression toward other dogs. Use humane leadership guidance with consistent communication and boundaries.

 Grooming Requirements:   Shaggy coat requiring regular brushing to prevent tangles and to stimulate the coat's natural oils. Bathe only when necessary, no more than every 4-6 weeks.  Coat: Medium to long, 2-3"  Shedding: Very light to no shedding.  Hypoallergenic: Yes  Apartment Living: Yes, suitable for apartment living as long as a brisk daily walk is provided and they allowed off leash play time in a safe area.  Lap Dog: Yes  Good With Children: Good with all children.  Good With Other Pets: Generally good with other pets, but will need supervision with other small pets because of high prey drive.