Australian Terrier Dog
A Lovable Little Rascal!

The Australian Terrier dog was bred in the 19th century by selective crossing of terriers from England and Scotland. Some of the stock included the Yorkshire, Skye, Dandie Dinmont, Irish and Cairn terriers.

Australian terrier dog outside on a rustic path

Courtesy Ketterechts

This breed was originally named the Rough Coated Terrier and nowadays is sometimes just called an "Aussie".

He is one of the smallest working terriers and was developed by early Australian settlers who needed an energetic and hardy dog to protect the homesteads and help control the rats and snakes.

This sturdy little package evidently did the job well in a challenging environment.

Subsequently, the Aussie became popularized outside of Australia and was recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1933, followed by the AKC in 1960.

Personality and Traits

Australian Terrier dogs are feisty, loyal, affectionate and intelligent. They have a willingness to please and are considered by many to be excellent family pets. They have a very lovable demeanor and a rascally face to go with it.

Leadership should be established and training should be consistent, as like most terriers, they have an independent streak and will happily make up the rules.

This is not a breed to be exercised off leash as they have strong chasing instincts. They are also known to have a fondness for digging, so plan your landscaping with this in mind!

Unlike many small dogs, the Aussie has a big dog bark. This feature, along with a confident demeanor and protective instincts, makes him a good watchdog.

However, too much vocalization might not be appreciated by your neighbors so try teaching him the "quiet command" to keep the peace with those in close proximity!

Australian Terrier with her puppy outside in the grass

Australian Terrier With Puppy

Appearance, Coat and Care

ight: 10-11 inches
Weight: 12-14 lbs.
Color variations: Blue/tan, Sand or Red.

The Aussie is a low set little dog wearing a shaggy double coat with silky topknot, and bearing a devilishly sweet and lively expression. In my view, he bears a strong resemblance to the Cairn.

The coat is dense and harsh in texture which sheds little. This means that the dead hair needs to be removed by a thorough brushing approximately every other day.

However, certain areas of the coat grow quickly especially around the eyes, in the ears and between the foot pads and should be inspected for debris or parasites and kept trimmed.

Additionally, the coat should be hand stripped about every three months to allow for new growth.

Hand stripping keeps the coat in its natural state and texture, preserving the Aussie's charming appearance!

Health Profile of the Australian Terrier Dog

The Australian Terrier has an overall reputation for being pretty rugged and with good nutrition and care, can be expected to enjoy a lifespan of up to 14 years. Obviously, like all dogs, there are some diseases that may affect him at some point.

Health issues associated with the breed include these inherited conditions:

Slipping kneecap (aka Luxating Patella)
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease - causing the ball of the femur to degenerate in one or both hips and subsequently lead to arthritis
Hip Dysplasia - malformation of the hip ball and socket leading to degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis
Elbow Dysplasia - elbow arthritis caused by abnormal elbow-joint growth

Other diseases to which they are predisposed include:

Diabetes
Cancer
Allergic Dermatitis
Ear infections
Cataracts

Activity Level and Ideal Living Space

The Australian Terrier, much like most terriers, are very active little dogs and should be taken out for regular walks.

The Aussie breed is quite adaptable and can do well in apartment or house, but obviously enjoys the great outdoors as well.

They like to practice their digging skills, chase any fast moving critters and generally romp around outside, so they'd be grateful for some space to do this!

But, be forewarned, they are great escape artists so keep fences very secure, no loose boards or escape routes to dig under, and gates locked.

The Aussie and Children?

Australian Terrier dogs are affectionate with their family and have a reputation for being very good companions for children. But, they are tough little dogs that won't suffer being teased or mishandled. They also can be possessive of their toys and food.

For these reasons, they do best with older children who are respectful and kind with pets.

As always, no matter what the breed, interaction between children and dogs should be supervised by an adult.

Seniors Or Less Active Families?

A good companion and an excellent watchdog for any family - seniors or the more sedentary = providing daily exercise can be arranged.

Australian Terrier puppy standing outside on a flagstone

Tell Us About Your Australian Terrier

Are you the proud owner of an Australian Terrier dog? Would your dog like his own web page on this site where you can talk about him and how great he is and share his pictures with others?

We love dog stories and pics, so we've made it quick and easy for you to brag about dog with us and our visitors. You're invited to go here and get started.

Can't wait to have your dog join our community!

Australian Terrier Dog A Lovable Little Rascal!