The Australian Terrier is small, clever, coquettish, in short: a multitasker. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, or FCI, categorizes this nimble Australian in Group 3, the Terrier Group, and within this group, it is listed in Section 2 as a Terrier without a working trial. Although the origin of this tough hunter lies in Australia, it descends from the bloodlines of “souvenirs” from the Commonwealth. Cairn and Scotch Terriers as well as Irish and Yorkshire Terriers influence the character and appearance of the Australian Terrier. It should not be confused with the silky variety, the Australian Silky Terrier. While it also originates from the Red Continent, its hair resembles more of a Beatles style, silky-smooth and hanging down.

Origin and Breed History

The 19th century can be considered the birth of the Australian Terrier, as the breed secured a firm place in the Australian Outback as a shepherd and hunter during this time. It was already recognized as a breed in its homeland. Only a century later did the robust Terrier travel to Great Britain, and a few years later, in 1936, it received the “plaque” from the British Kennel Club, the official recognition as a registered breed.

The club is considered the foremost British dog breeding association, but not only that, it is also the largest and oldest of its kind. It would be another 24 years until the United States discovered the clever Terrier for itself. It has never been a “fad dog” to this day. Only a few connoisseurs are aware of the qualities of the small Australian, whose abilities have been of great use to its owners, both in the past and today.

In the land of its ancestors, it was used for snake and rat hunting. Fearlessly, it “cleaned up” the gold and silver mines of poisonous snakes. It even herded flocks of sheep with similarly named “mates.” The Australian Terriers changed sides over the woolly backs of the gentle animals, resembling a circus performance. Only with perfect timing, superior body control, and the necessary courage can this “feat” be accomplished.

The Australian settlers bred a particularly versatile breed with the Broken Coated or Skye Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Sydney Silky, and Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Thus, the Australian Terrier is not only a lightning-fast rat “killer” but also an extremely vigilant guard, a courageous protector, a friendly family companion, and an intelligent partner.

Nature & Character of the Australian Terrier

The Aussie distinguishes itself not only by its body length from most other terriers but also by its ability to quickly assess situations and act independently. This small dog is and remains a terrier that must be consistently trained for a relaxed family life and to develop reasonable social behavior.

Originally bred as a working dog, he still wants to run, run, and run faster wherever he has found a home. Proud owners boast that he is swifter than any rabbit and sharper than a wolf with their little rough Australian. For this reason, the Australian Terrier desires a task, preferably outdoors. There, he is enthusiastic about all training activities, learning quickly due to curiosity and intelligence combined with courage and endurance.

However, it will not be possible to walk him off-leash in unfamiliar terrain, as the rat catcher always lurks in his genes, naturally interested in foxes, rabbits, and cats as well. In dealing with children, both sides must adhere to the rules. The Aussie is not a dog that tolerates everything but also forms close friendships when treated “respectfully”. The education of the Australian Terrier should be shaped in this way, characterized by understanding and patience towards the extremely headstrong Aussie.

At the same time, however, consistency and a certain level of strictness are necessary because it follows the “Terrier rules” without laws. Confidence and assertiveness are part of it, and sometimes, its own decisions are made. From the beginning, the Australian Terrier was bred as a rodent and snake killer, which required its own hunting methods and independent approaches with all their consequences.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

Appearance of the Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier measures approximately 25 cm as a male and weighs about 6 kg, while females are slightly smaller and lighter. The coat of the Aussie is rough with a short undercoat and an unmistakable ruff around the neck. The topcoat can be up to 6 cm long. He has a coat that is extremely easy to care for.

As for “fashion,” the Terrier wears only two colors, once the sand tone or red tone without dark nuances and another time the most beautiful blue shades with tan on the face, ears, and paws. In Australia, they were already against “white” earlier, and so the breeders also did not want to see it in the Aussie. The little “whirlwind” is strong and long, has dark brown oval eyes, erect ears, and an enormous thrust from the hindquarters, as is the case with most hunters, even if they are small and have short legs.

Training & Care of the Australian Terrier – What to Consider

The Aussie is and remains a terrier, albeit one from “overseas”. It bears all the characteristics of an independently working hunter, a guard dog, and a little giant who protects the family, the house, and the yard. This means that the owner should always have the “instruction manual” at hand when training.

Empathy and consistency are required in training, which may feel like a compromise for the Aussie. The terrier is the king in his field, and the family shares an apartment with the royal dwarf. Social behavior must be trained, children must also follow the rules when playing with the dog, and if there are cats in the house, the Aussie must urgently follow the rules. This may sound a bit serious, but it is only partly true.

The Australian Terrier is a cheerful, playful, and friendly little guy who mostly relaxes indoors, yet he is a terrier who does not like to be pushed around. Nevertheless, he follows if someone is smarter and more assertive than he is. He is even suitable for beginners if the beginner seeks help for basic training. He gets along with other dogs, provided he has “pack experience” and is confronted with unfamiliar dogs early on. This is especially true for contact with large dogs, whose superiority he must learn to accept. One is only king in one’s own kingdom, and a showdown with a much stronger opponent belongs in the realm of “youthful indiscretions.”

Nutrition of the Australian Terrier

As with any breed, the diet, especially the amount of food, depends on the age of the dog, its basic weight, living conditions, activity level, and individual health status. This is also the case with the Australian Terrier. Typically, the Aussie is fed wet food once or twice a day, consisting mainly of natural ingredients and low in sugar.

The owner has the agony of choice, yet there are some guidelines regarding nutrition to ensure that the dog remains healthy. The Aussie can be fed with a BARF diet, homemade food, or commercial food. One is basically as good as the other, as long as it provides the dog with all the important minerals, trace elements, and vitamins. BARFing is good if the dog owner has knowledge about it. The same applies to cooking at home. It is not enough to fill the pan with meat and mix in rice and vegetables. This option requires a special effort in the daily calculation of the many food components.

This requirement is hardly feasible for working people. BARFing must also be practiced with expertise. Only commercial food in its wet and dry variants can be safely served to the Australian Terrier as long as it is labeled as “complete food”. This means that all ingredients must be present in sufficient quantities to provide an adult dog with adequate nutrition for a day.

Health – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases

In general, the breed is considered extremely resilient and healthy. Breeding has long been oriented towards the use of the dog as a working dog, so little has been experimented with regarding its appearance. There have been reports of an increase in cases of diabetes and allergies in recent times, but there is no reliable evidence that these diseases are actually typical of the breed.

However, it is certain that the little Aussies tend to be overweight if they do not get enough exercise. With regular walks, well-adjusted food, and love, the Aussie thrives in any environment, even in a small apartment.

The life expectancy of the Australian Terrier is up to 15 years. Like most dogs, the Australian Terrier is not well equipped for extreme heat and cold. He is a dog that prefers moderate warmth.

Grooming of the Australian Terrier

The little Aussie is not very high-maintenance. His coat can be brushed, but should never be taken to a hairdresser for trimming, as this will turn soft undercoat into rough fur. The eyes should be checked regularly, as hair strands can grow into them. Overhanging hair on the body can be plucked out. Typically, the fur on the paws and muzzle is kept short. The dense ruff of the Australians looks imposing and reminiscent of the largest cat in Africa. This “mane” is also what protects the Terrier from injuries he may sustain while hunting.

The whole dog should not be bathed too often; in this case, less is often more. The dirt-repellent effect of the fur is reduced by frequent bathing. The little hunter is a robust “bundle of energy” and should be welcomed into the family as such. He is not a lapdog or a “fashion doll”.

Australian Terrier – Activities and Training

The Aussie enjoys anything that requires movement and bonds him with his owner. Although he has relatively short legs, he is a little marvel of jumping and is as fast as the wind. Agility, obedience, tracking, and herding work are popular activities that demonstrate the energy and intelligence of the Australian Terrier and how he solves his tasks. In principle, the entire range of dog sports is suitable for the Australian Terrier. Bike rides become an adventure with a lively Australian Terrier, and he is also a loyal companion when climbing. A long walk once a day is a “must”. In forested areas with wildlife, the Terrier should be kept vigilant or on a leash.

Good to know: Special features of the Australian Terrier

The wiry guy from the Red Continent remains a hunter through and through. Since the beginning, he has been meant to kill small rodents. Now, if the Aussie enters a loving large family with guinea pigs and cats, the owner must not overlook this characteristic of the Australian Terrier. Guinea pigs that were allowed to roam freely around the apartment now have a ban on going out, and the cat that encounters a grown Aussie should be warned.

If the species grow up together, there is hope for peaceful coexistence. Children must be instructed to treat the Australian Terrier respectfully. Children and terriers alone in the terrain or in the apartment are not a favorable constellation. The Aussie is peaceful but not docile; he is cooperative but not tolerant. Time for walks is necessary as well as a strong bond with a person.

Grooming is very easy, but training is a bit more complex. “Terrier knowledge” is required here. The Australian Terrier is a lively and self-confident dog that can be taken anywhere. However, he requires a solid basic training that enables him to learn his limits while still maintaining his independence.

Disadvantages of the Australian Terrier

Inherently, no dog has disadvantages, but there are breeds that fit well with one owner and less so with another. In this context, a few possible disharmonies will be discussed that can arise when the dog and owner have different personalities. The next section will focus more on the right “fit” between dog and owner. Here are just a few examples of couples that don’t match well. The dog should always be the same, namely an Aussie:

Does the Australian Terrier fit me?

To know if the Australian Terrier fits you, answer the following questions for yourself: Can you regularly satisfy the Aussie’s need for exercise? Who will take care of him if the sole owner gets sick? How do you deal with his strong hunting instinct?
Because it’s important: The Aussie is intelligent and learns “on the fly”. He has an independent nature, driven by his terrier genes, and he fits his owner if the owner is a bit like him: confident, witty, and agile.

Australian Terrier Overview