The Australian Terrier is a sturdy little dog that looks a lot like the Yorkshire terrier and the Australian silky terrier. This dog comes from the Australian island of Tasmania, he has a marked character and is much calmer and barks less than other terriers.
Due to their size and the little physical activity they require, these dogs are excellent pets for slightly older children as they can perfectly live in a small house or apartment . If you want to adopt an Australian Terrier and you know nothing about it, don't miss this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal in which we tell you everything about it!
Origin
- Oceania
- Australia
FCI Nomenclature
- Group III
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Lying
- Short legs
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Low
Character
- Active
Ideal for
- Apartment
- House
Hair type
- Long
- Smooth
- Dry
Origin of the Australian Terrier
This Terrier was born on the Australian island of Tasmania, from crosses between different terrier dogs brought from Europe. The breeds that are said to have given rise to the Australian Terrier are: Dandie-Dinmont Terrier, Yorkshire terrier, Skye terrier and Manchester terrier. The mixing of so many breeds has resulted in good genetics which could explain the rarity of hereditary diseases for this breed. Another plausible explanation is the intense natural selection to which the Australian Terrier was subjected from its origins, because the Australian rural environment being harsh and hostile.
Anyway, the result of the crossings gave birth to a robust and resistant little dog, capable of hunting rodents and snakes, and of giving the alert in the presence of intruders.Despite this, the character that remained in this terrier is more stable and calm than in the other dogs of the group. Today the Australian terrier is mainly a companion dog, very popular in Australia but also known in different parts of the world.
Physical characteristics of the Australian Terrier
" These dogs have small but stocky bodies for their size. Longer than tall, the Australian terrier has a rectangular build. The ideal height at the withers for males is 25 centimeters, while females are slightly smaller. The ideal weight for males is 6.5 kg, females being proportionally lighter. As stated in the FCI breed standard, the Australian Terrier is a stocky dog, with short limbs and elongated in proportion to the size."
This dog's head is moderately broad with a flattened cranial vault. The nose, black in color, is medium in size and extends to the nasal bridge.Its muzzle is strong for such a small dog and it is the same length as the skull. His eyes have a cunning expression and are small, oval, and dark brown. Its ears are small, erect and pointed. The Australian Terrier's tail is high set and usually raised. Unfortunately, the FCI breed standard states that the tail must be docked, promoting ancient practices that disregard animal welfare.
These terriers have a double coated coat. The outer coat of hair is straight, coarse and moderately long. The undercoat is short and smooth. The colors accepted in this breed are: blue and fire, steel-blue and fire, blue-grey and fire, sand or red.
Australian Terrier Character
This dog is basically a working terrier and therefore has a brave and determined temperament. However, he is more stable and calm than most other terriers, which also makes him an excellent companion dog.
The Australian Terrier needs lots of company from its family, but it tends to be reserved around strangers. He can also be aggressive with dogs of the same sex and with small animals, but he does not tend to be as aggressive as other breeds of terriers. In any case, and from an early age, it is important to socialize the dog from an early age with people, with dogs and with other animals.
Although the breed was developed primarily for hunting small animals, the Australian Terrier is very versatile and can be an excellent pet. However, be careful with small children who do not know how to interact with a dog, because if they hurt him, he will defend himself by biting. However, it is an excellent pet for older children who know how to respect the dog.
Australian Terrier Care
Hair care is quite simple because it does not require too much time.In general, brushing twice a week and manual removal of dead hair (stripping) two or three times a year are sufficient. In addition, when the coat is maintained regularly, these dogs do not shed much. It is neither necessary nor he althy to wash these dogs very often and should only be washed when they are really dirty.
The Australian Terrier doesn't require a lot of exercise and walking them once a day is enough to keep them in good shape. On the other hand, he needs a lot of company, so daily playtime, in addition to time spent training the dog and other routine activities, can help exercise the dog while strengthening relationship with his tutor. These dogs adapt well to apartment living, but they can eventually become barkers. In any case, they are dogs that need a lot of company and must live inside the house with the rest of the family.
Australian Terrier Training
On the other hand, he is one of the easiest terriers to train, because he is not as hyperactive as the others. However, it is important to educate him with positive methods, as he is a sensitive dog that responds poorly to traditional training.
Common behavior problems with this breed include excessive barking, a tendency to dig in the yard, and sometimes aggression towards dogs and other pets. These problems can be avoided by giving dogs plenty of exercise, enough companionship, proper socialization and proper training.
Australian Terrier He alth
The Australian Terrier is one of the he althiest dogs and has no tendency to major hereditary diseases. However, occasional conditions have been detected such as:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- patellar dislocation
- Diabetes
- Flea allergy
- Cryptorchidism
Australian Terrier pictures
