The Awesome Australian Terrier

Introduction

The Australian Terrier is one of the best all-around family pets. They are affectionate, playful, and friendly but will bark when strangers approach.

This breed is relatively easy to train and enjoys learning new tricks. They are clever and one of the most obedient members of the Terrier Group. They get along well with other dogs and pets but are reserved around strangers.

The Australian Terrier is a small dog with short legs that weighs around 14 pounds and measures 9.8 in at the withers. Its medium-length shaggy double hair is harsh and is typically left untrimmed.

This Terrier is sometimes confused with the Australian Silky Terrier due to the similarity of their names. The Silky is a smaller dog and is included in the Toy Group.

History

This breed originated in Australia and dates back to the early 1900s. Its bloodline comes from several European dog breeds and shares a close history with the Silky Terrier. The Australian Terrier first appeared in Tasmania. They are smaller terrier dogs.

The rough-coated terriers of Tasmania performed several jobs, such as killing small rodents and snakes, acting as a watchdog, and helping to control livestock. The Tasmanian terriers were crossed with other breeds, including the Manchester, Skye, Scotch, Dandie Dinmont, and the Yorkshire Terrier.

This new breed was not only as helpful as its ancestors but also had a striking appearance. It went through several name changes before being officially called the Australian Terrier. In 1925 it made its way to the United States and gained AKC recognition in 1960. Names such as the Toy Terrier, Blue, Tan Terrier, and Blue Terrier were all used.

Australian Terrier Personality

Australian Terriers love pampering. These dogs thrive on human contact and want nothing more than to spend time with their family. They have high energy levels, as sow most Terrier Groups. These terriers need plenty of daily exercise, running outside, brisk walks, or vigorous games.

Australian Terrier dogs are a devoted breed and make excellent watchdogs. These dogs can tolerate cool and warm temperatures but are not made to live outside. They want to be very close to their family. Grooming requires weekly brushing to keep its wiry coat free of dead hairs. You will also need to trim around their feet.

The ideal Australian Terrier disposition is described in the breed standard as being lively, vigilant, and “with the innate aggressiveness of a ratter and hedge hunter.” Australian shepherds place 34th in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, showing good trainability and above-average “Working and Obedience” intelligence.

Training

Australian Terriers are strong and self-assured. Although they are curious and devoted to their families, they are also vivacious. They are good watchdogs since they have excellent hearing and sight. They are simple to teach but sometimes have a tendency to bark excessively.

Like most terriers, Aussies gain a lot from puppy training classes and beginning obedience exercises, including rewards, toys, or praise. Whether the owner wants them to be, training sessions will be brief because Aussies become tired of routine rapidly.

They are also stubborn and willful, so they need a tough, unwavering approach. However, even with training, an Aussie might be hesitant to share toys or human attention.

Although some guys may not get along with other Aussies in the house, they generally get along well with other dogs. Although they usually do not start a fight, Australian Terriers won’t back down from an aggressor. The Australian Terrier is typically quite sociable and enjoys interacting with people because it was also bred to be a companion.

They compete in dog agility events and easily learn dog tricks.

Grooming

The Australian Terrier’s tough, waterproof double coat repels dirt and muck well and is relatively simple to keep clean. It often only requires a short brushing every week to maintain good condition. If left unattended, the long hairs that develop in front of and between the eyes can irritate them; thankfully, they can be removed with tweezers or fingers.

Only when necessary should an Australian take a bath. The rough coat loses its capacity to remove dirt when shampooed, and an excessive amount of bathing can dry up and flake the Aussie’s skin. Like all breeds, Aussie nails require routine trimming.

Health Concerns

The lifespan of the Australian Terrier is between twelve and fourteen years. They have no major health concerns. Common minor health problems include diabetes and patellar luxation.

All dogs, whether purebred or mixed, are susceptible to inherited health issues. No exception applies to this breed. The Australian Terrier Club of America urges members to adopt ethical breeding procedures and to be aware of health issues to minimize or completely eradicate genetic health disorders. If your dog has a health condition, telling us about it might be useful information.

More Information

The Australian Terrier Club of America, Inc. is the AKC’s parent club for this breed and is responsible for maintaining breed standards. They publish a club flyer that provides information on the Australian Terrier.