Australian Terrier

Breed Description

The Australian Terrier is one of the rare terrier breeds developed outside of England. It is believed to be the first terrier breed created in Australia, alongside the Australian Silky Terrier. Studies show that the Australian Silky Terrier and the Australian Terrier share common ancestors from the Australian regions of Tasmania, New South Wales, and Victoria. Their breeding involved crossing the Broken-Haired Terrier, the Skye Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Yorkshire Terriers also played a significant role in the breed’s development, particularly the Silky Terriers. It is likely that the Australian Terrier was established in 1888 through the work of breeders who crossed various dog breeds. However, precise information about the specific breeds used in creating the Australian Terrier remains unknown. It is also unclear which country these dogs originated from, but they were first discovered in Australia, presumably brought by the English.

The first standard was written around 1900. According to reliable sources, this occurred in Tasmania. In Germany, it is cared for by the Terrier Club. Typically, only about 30 puppies of this interesting, unfortunately completely underrated terrier breed are born in Germany each year and deserve much more attention.

They are specifically bred for hunting rodents and snakes. Australian Terriers were highly valued as companions and guard dogs. They still possess these traits today: they are wonderful friends, fierce competitors in earth dog trials, and show dogs in conformation and obedience. The Australian Terrier is a bold, energetic, and intelligent little dog.

These are active, sociable terriers that enjoy interacting with people. Australian Terriers are tiny yet strong, confident terriers with elongated bodies, prominent adornments on the neck and front legs, and a tuft of soft fur that contrasts in texture with their coarse fur. This spirited terrier has a long neck that adds elegance, and its black eyes shine with intelligence.

The price for a puppy ranges from 35,000 to 60,000 rubles.

Appearance

The Australian Terrier is a small, short-legged terrier with a distinctive appearance. However, you rarely encounter it in Germany. You might think of it as a large Yorkshire Terrier-a true Aussie. Unlike the American Australian Shepherd, which is commonly referred to as “Aussie,” it is actually Australian. This little dog exudes intelligence, self-confidence, and strength. The standard describes it as follows: “A compact, moderately low-set dog of medium length with a finely boned build, but enough substance to show the ability to hunt and kill unwanted rodents indoors. Straight coat.”

The coat of the Australian Terrier is smooth and harsh with a soft, short undercoat. All shades of blue and brown are acceptable coat colors, with silvery-blue being ideal. Its tail is confidently held upright-that’s just how it is. The standard specifies a height at the withers of 23 to 26 centimeters. The average weight of an Aussie is around 7 kilograms. Its ears are alert.

Australian Terriers typically have a long life, often living 14 years or more, in prime physical condition. They are sturdy, low-set dogs, relatively long for their height, with a strong terrier character, vigilance, energy, and robustness. Its untrimmed harsh coat features a distinct collar around the neck reaching down to the sternum, and a long, strong head contributes to its rugged, coarse appearance. Australian Terriers are also characterized by pointed ears, dark brown eyes, and a tapered snout.

A sturdy, low-set dog that is fairly long for its height. The untrimmed, harsh coat with a distinct collar around the neck, reaching down to the sternum, lends a tough and rugged look.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The head has an elongated shape with a flat skull of medium width. It is full between the eyes and has a slight but distinct transition. The neck is long, slightly convex, slim, and strong, leading into long, well-built shoulders.

Морда

The face is strong yet powerful, with a cranial portion of equal length that should be covered with a soft "crest." The nose is black, medium-sized, and the skin extends to the bridge of the nose.

Уши

The ears are small, erect, pointed, well-set, moderately wide apart, without long hair, and sensitive to use (except for puppies up to six months old).

Глаза

Relatively small, with a sharp gaze, dark brown in color, widely spaced and inconspicuous.

Зубы

The jaws are powerful and punishing, with a scissor bite, meaning the upper row of teeth tightly overlaps the lower, and the teeth are positioned perpendicularly to the jawbone.

Корпус

The body is long and proportional to height, of strong build, with well-defined ribs and a chest of medium depth and width. The top line is straight. The loin is strong. The sides are deep.

Конечности

Передние конечности с хорошим костяком и идеально прямые, параллельные при взгляде спереди. Пясти крепкие, без наклона, слегка опушенные до колена. Задние четверти средней длины, широкие, с сильными мускулистыми бедрами, хорошо развернутые, а скакательные суставы хорошо согнуты и опущены. При осмотре сзади параллельные, не слишком широкие и не слишком прилегающие. Лапы маленькие, с хорошей подкладкой, пальцы ног плотно сросшиеся и умеренно изогнутые, не вывернуты ни внутрь, ни наружу, с крепкими черными или темными ногтями. Движения свободные, пружинистые и сильные. При взгляде спереди передние лапы двигаются правильно, без ослабления плечевых суставов, локтей или пясти. Задние конечности обладают напористостью и мощью, со свободными движениями коленных и скакательных суставов. При осмотре сзади ноги от скакательных суставов до земли параллельны, не слишком прижаты и не слишком широко расставлены.

Хвост

Previously, it was usually docked. Docked: set high and held straight, but not behind the back. Not docked: set high and held as straight as possible, providing good overall balance.

Шерсть

The coat of fur can be conditionally divided into two layers: the top layer consists of dense, straight, and coarse fur with a length of about 6.35 cm, while beneath it is a short and soft undercoat with texture. On the muzzle, shins, and feet, the fur is absent or minimal.

Окрас

Окрас может быть голубым, стально-голубым или темно-серо-голубым, с насыщенным подпалом (не песочного оттенка) на лице, ушах, нижней части тела, голенях, ступнях и вокруг анального отверстия (за исключением щенков). Чем насыщеннее цвет и четче очерчен, тем лучше. Голубой или серебристый «пучок» более светлого оттенка, чем цвет головы. Ясно-песочный или красный, сажистый или темный оттенок нежелателен. Макушка имеет более светлый оттенок.

Character

The Australian Terrier is a true terrier. He is lively, vibrant, and sturdy. Always attentive and watchful, but not aggressive. The official standard describes his nature as follows:

The Australian Terrier is nimble and, like a true terrier, knows no fear. He fiercely protects everything that belongs to his family and can also catch mice or rats. His uncomplicated, playful character makes him a delightful family dog.

However, it is essential to understand that he is primarily a robust terrier, not a lap dog. That said, the Australian Terrier is great as a companion and family dog. He is a loyal, vigilant, warm, and loving partner for both young and old, provided that you allow both yourself and him to engage in sports and challenges. He has a high, self-assured, and never submissive character that should be respected and valued, even loved. With ample consistency based on respectful, trusting relationships, he can be very well trained, making him suitable even for dedicated beginners.

The Aussie makes an excellent pet, especially for families with children. They love to play, and like other dogs, they should be socialized at an early age.

Australian Terriers are active and enthusiastic, happily playing with their owners and then cuddling on the couch.

They are friendly and affectionate. They get along well with other dogs and cats, but due to their hunting instincts, they may chase smaller animals.Proper and early socialization is necessary to help them learn to behave well with other pets.The Australian Terrier is characterized by a strong terrier disposition: vigilance, activity, and work ethic. Essentially a working terrier, he is equally suited as a companion dog thanks to his loyalty and balanced temperament.In temperament, the terrier is friendly, extroverted, obedient, and eager to please. He happily resides in the city or country. Not aggressive, but courageous if threatened.

Care and Maintenance

Caring for an Australian Terrier is not a problem. They don’t have specific requirements regarding apartment size. The biggest challenge is their terrier temperament.

Australian Terriers are low-maintenance. The main difference between them and most terrier breeds is their typical coat, which does not shed; it is shorter than that of Yorkies, yet it requires regular brushing. You can also describe it as a healthier version of a Yorkshire Terrier that hasn’t been groomed yet.

Maintaining them does not require special effort. Clippers or a combination of clippers and stripping tools (a method where the coat is thinned and shortened with a sharp comb-like tool called a stripping knife) can be used to groom their fur. If your dog’s nails do not break naturally, trim them once or twice a month to avoid painful tears and other issues.

Check your pet’s lips, ears, nose, throat, eyes, and legs to ensure there are no sores, rashes, or symptoms of illness. A healthy pet should not show redness, pain, or inflammation. Their ears should smell pleasant and be clean, without any wax or dirt. The eyes should also be clear and free of redness or discharge.

Make grooming a positive and enjoyable experience for your pet by including praise and rewards. This will help your pet become accustomed to veterinary check-ups and other procedures as they grow.

Aussies have a coarse coat that sheds very little and is relatively easy to care for. Periodic baths and weekly brushing with a rubber glove or de-shedding glove will help keep their coat in great condition.Aussies don’t have special dietary requirements. Of course, high-quality food is good for their health, and they enjoy it too. Like most dogs, they also love meaty beef bones and fresh meat. They can also thrive on dry kibble widely available in supermarkets.Australian Terriers require between ½ to 1 cup of dry food a day. Unlike some tiny breeds, they are not picky eaters. They have a hearty appetite, though they rarely overeat. Monitor their food intake to ensure they are not getting too much to avoid potential health issues. Always provide them with fresh, clean water.

Training and Education

Australian Terriers don’t have specific requirements, but they are suitable for almost all types of activities you can do with a dog. They are said to excel in agility and obedience.

Australian Terriers are intelligent and easily learn new lessons. They can perform very well, especially because they aim to please their families. Strengthen positive discipline to motivate them to work better. These dogs need physical and mental activities suitable for their breed.

As companion dogs, they can handle a wide range of tasks. They are suited for various dog sports. Your physical form presents both a challenge and a duty for trainers and owners. They should get used to other smaller pets (like guinea pigs and hamsters) from an early age, or they may sometimes see them as prey. Due to their size, light weight, and good obedience, a well-trained Australian Terrier is an absolutely trouble-free companion in any situation. They can be, but are not required to be, easily transported in a crate if trained from a young age.

The small terrier is very easy to train and even educate. Clear communication and consistency are wonderful principles based on respectful, loving relationships with their owners. Their undeniable role as leader must always be present; otherwise, Australians may believe they need to take charge.

The Australian Terrier is an energetic dog made for jumping and running. They need at least 2-3 hours of exercise a day, playing and walking. They could dig up your garden and start barking excessively if they don’t get enough movement. Keep them happy and healthy by meeting their energy needs. Zooinika offers puppies with documentation and a health guarantee.

How to Choose a Puppy

It is best to buy an Australian Terrier puppy from a breeder who is a member of the Terrier Club. By the way, there are many kennels breeding terriers featured on the dog portal.

There should be no inbreeding, which you can assess by checking the pedigree to ensure that no name appears more than once. You should take care of your puppy in advance, as there are usually very few available. Please do not purchase an Australian Terrier online, as there is a very high risk that the puppy will come from – typically well-hidden – dog dealers or breeders. This is an animal welfare issue, and you should act responsibly.

Mixing Australian Terriers with other breeds is rare, just like the breed itself. They are charming little dogs, perfectly suited for family life and urban living. Compared to YorkshirРµ Terriers, Australian Terriers do not have a specific breed status but certainly deserve greater popularity. Zooinca is the best place to choose from a variety of listings.

Health and Illnesses

Veterinary care is essential for a dog’s health and well-being, but the frequency of treatment and check-ups depends on the individual dog. Regular scheduled six-month veterinary visits for health checks are important to ensure they are healthy and happy throughout all stages of life.

Routine care for your dog allows you to monitor their growth and development, discuss any issues with your veterinarian, and is a key part of preventive care.

Some common health issues may include: patellar luxation, Legg-CalvГ©-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, and heart murmurs.