Australian Terrier: Training, Temperament, Exercise, Health

Group: Terriers

Also known as: Broken-coated Terrier

AKC Ranking: 55

About Australian Terrier

History of the Breed Officially recognized in 1933, the breed was probably created by crossing many Terrier breeds including the Irish, Cairn, Norwich, Dandie Dinmont, Yorkshire, and the Skye Terriers. Description of the Dog The Australian Terrier is a sturdy, short legged, little dog. It has a long head, with erect, v-shaped ears and sparkling dark eyes. The black nose has a v-shaped space above it. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The body is slightly longer than tall, with a level topline. The chest is strong, moderately wide and deep. It has small cat-like feet and the docked tail stands up.

Coat

The rough-textured, weatherproof coat is about 2 inches (5 cm.) long and comes in solid red, sandy, or dark or silvery blue with tan markings on the head and legs. The breed sports a stop knot between the ears, and an apron and ruff that are lighter colored and finer-textured than the rest of the coat. When an Aussie puppy is a few days old the dewclaws are usually removed.

Height: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm.)

Weight: 9-14 pounds (4-6 kg.)

Personality

Temperament of the Breed

The Australian Terrier is a tough, cheeky, loyal, energetic, affectionate, alert. Amusing, lovable, spirited, curious, self-assured, intelligent and brave little fellow. It is a responsive and very protective companion and watchdog with very keen hearing and eyesight. This breed is not snappish, likes to bark (but never without reason) and is very good with other animals and children provided they do not tease the dog, though a little unfriendly with strangers. This is a good dog to travel with. The Australian Terrier is a very economical breed to feed.

Activity Level

Exercise Need

They need to be taken out for long walks. They enjoy the chance to romp and play in a safe area. It wants to please its master and is more easily obedience trained than most other terriers. The training of the Australian Terrier needs to be strict because this self-confident dog prefers to follow its own ideas, although they learn very quickly.

Suitable for apartment living?

The Australian Terrier is good for apartment living. It is fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard provided it is taken for walks on a lead. They should not be allowed to roam free because they have a tendency to chase.

Grooming

The stiff, long, shaggy coat of this light shedder is easy to care for. Brushing the coat several times a week, bathing once a month, trimming around the eyes and ears and plucking every three months will suffice.

Health Problems

Among 619 living dogs in the 2002 Australian Terrier Club of America survey, the most commonly reported health problems were endocrine (primarily diabetes), allergic dermatitis, and musculoskeletal (primarily luxating patella and ruptured cranial cruciate ligament).

Other conditions reported among more than 4% of the surveyed dogs were adult onset cataracts and ear infections. The much smaller 2004 UKC survey, with 28 living dogs, suggested similar health concerns.

Life Expectancy: About 15 or more years

Litter Size: Around 4 puppies

Breed Club: www.australianterrier.org

Rescue Link: http://austrailianterrier.org/rescue.html