The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest of the terrier dog group. It was originally bred in Australia around 1885 as a working dog to guard mines and to tend sheep. The Australian Terrier is a healthy and hardy breed. They are long-living to 15 years or more and free of any major hereditary defects.
They have a rough-textured straight coat 2in. to 3in. long with colorings ranging from silver- or blue-black through to tan with a distinctive soft-haired topknot on their head.
The Australian Terrier is tough and cheeky, and stands 9in to 11in high. However, like many other terrier breeds, in its own mind it is a much larger dog and is quite fearless. It is energetic and loyal and will display great affection to its family. It is confident and curious, has keen hearing and eyesight and therefore makes a useful watchdog. Because it likes to please its master is can be more easily trained than some other terriers.
Unlike many other terrier breeds the Australian Terrier does not usually display aggression towards other dogs although they may chase small animals outside the home. They can occasionally display wariness towards strangers although they are not excessively suspicious. They travel well and can be somewhat easier to train than other terrier types although their training needs to be strict; their self-assured nature can make them want to follow their own ideas rather than yours!
Australian terriers make good apartment dogs. They are adaptable and will remain active indoors but will require outdoor exercise and, like all terriers, need to be walked on a leash due to their tendency to chase other animals.
The Australian Terrier sheds little or no hair and will not require clipping except perhaps around the eyes and ears when blunt-nosed scissors should be used. Regular brushing is recommended. This will stimulate natural oil secretion from the skin which will help to develop a high gloss to the coat. Clip the toenails regularly. Australian Terriers do not require washing more than once a month. More frequent washing will tend to make their tough coat go lank.
Your Australian Terrier will consider himself to be a part of your family and will be a loyal and loving companion.
The Australian Terrier is a close relative of the old Scotch dog of Great Britain, however, not the present-day Scottish Terrier. These dogs are believed to have been cross-bred with a number of other breeds of British terrier stock to produce the fast, sturdy, rough, weatherproof, fearless little dog that the settlers needed as they settled the frontiers of their country.
They helped control rodents and snakes on the waterfronts, farms, sheep and cattle stations in the outback. They sometimes tended sheep and sounded an alarm when intruders appeared. In addition to all these jobs, the Australian Terrier also served as a companion.
All the breeds chosen for cross-breeding were to promote specific desired traits. There is a consensus of opinion that the breeds used included the precursors of the Dandie Dinmont, Skye, Yorkshire, and the old Black-and-Tan Terriers (today's Manchester) with probably the Irish and Caim Terriers. The various cross breedings created a very handsome dog that the settlers were proud to show at home or in public.
AKC Classification: Terrier Group
Origin: Australia
Special Abilities:
Helps control rodents and snakes
Can tend sheep A special love for children, the elderly and the handicapped
The following information is offered to help you decide if the Australian Terrier is right for you, your family and lifestyle. The descriptions are also meant to fit a dog true to the breed standard.
Appearance Description:
Small
Sturdy
Medium-boned working terrier
Rather long in proportion to height with pricked ears and docked tail Height 10 to 11 inches at the withers
Head is long and strong
Keen and intelligent looking eyes, small dark brown to black set well apart, rims are black, oval in shape
Ears are small, erect and pointed set high on the skull yet well apart
Nose is black
Lips are tight and dark brown or black rimmed
Outer coat is harsh and straight, 2.5 inches all over the body except the tail, rear legs, from the hocks down and the feet which are kept free of long hair
Hair on the ears is kept very short
Undercoat short and soft
Furnishings softer than body coat
The neck is well furnished with hair, which forms a protective ruff blending into the apron
Covering only the top of the skull is finer and softer texture than rest of the coat
Colors are blue and tan, solid sandy and solid red
Topknot is silver or a lighter shade than head color
Personality Description
Spirited
Alert
Courageous
Self-confident
Natural aggressiveness of a ratter and hedge hunter
Friendly and affectionate as a companion
A special love for children, the elderly and the handicapped
Both A. Stevens & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
A. Stevens has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Landscaping. Visit the blog for tips on grooming and caring for your Australian Terrier and if you are interested in Bedlington Terriers check out the. A. Stevens's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
has sinced written about articles on various topics from . . 's top article . to your Favourites.