AUSTRALIAN TERRIER Breed Standards
The Australian Terrier traces its roots back to ’s roots trace back to Tasmania. Invasive rodent populations created the need for tough, rough coated little working terriers, and these dogs were eagerly adopted at the waterfront areas and in gold mines. Australian owners needed a dog that was capable of hunting down vermin and that could also serve as a watchdog and help with herding sheep in the field. This led to the interbreeding of the small Tasmanian Terrier with various British terriers, including the Scottish, Manchester, Yorkshire, Dandie Dinmont and Skye Terriers.
The result was a rough-coated watchdog capable of working in the fields, catching rodents and providing companionship. The breed soon became the first Australian dog to be officially recognized in its homeland (a standard was established in 1896), and spread to the United States and England shortly thereafter. The Australian Terrier entered the American Kennel Club’s registry in 1960 as the first new terrier in over 20 years.
SKILLS: A small, sturdy, medium-boned working terrier, rather long in proportion to height with pricked ears and docked tail. Blue and tan, solid sandy or solid red in color, with harsh-textured outer coat, a distinctive ruff and apron, and a soft, silky topknot. As befits their heritage as versatile workers, Australian Terriers are sound and free moving with good reach and drive. Their expression keen and intelligent; their manner spirited and self-assured.
The following description is that of the ideal Australian Terrier. Any deviation from this description must be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Hunting dog and family pet. The Australian Terrier is a sturdy, short legged, little dog.
SIZE: Height: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm.) Weight: 9-14 pounds (4-6 kg.){ The hair is straight, hard, and of medium length. The breed has a blue black and deep shades of tan on legs and muzzle. The locks of hair over the eyes may be blue or silver, but sandy or red is also accepted.
COAT: The Australian Terrier's coat requires plucking about every three months. Groom with brush and comb between these times once a week and check to be sure that no hair is growing inside the ear passages. Because the breed standard is for a hard coat, don't wash this Terrier too often, which will make the hair lank. An Australian Terrier in good condition sheds very little hair.
CARE REQUIRED: It has boundless energy and is very loyal, showing great affection for its immediate family and its extraordinary intelligence makes it a responsive and very protective companion. It is an alert, amusing and loveable little dog. Spirited, curious, and self-assured, it has very keen hearing and eyesight, so it makes an excellent watchdog. It wants to please its master and is more easily obedience trained than most other terriers. This breed is not snappish, likes to bark and is very good with children provided they do not tease the dog.
CHARACTER: The Australian Terrier is vigilant and alert, brave, lively, self-confident, and very adaptable, intelligent, playful, independent, and a bit stubborn. These dogs are excellent vermin destroyers and like to bark.
TRAINING: The Training of the Australian Terrier needs to be strict because this self-confident dog prefers to follow its own ideas. They learn quite quickly
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Provided children do not tease it, this breed gets along fine with them. Strangers, on the other hand, may find these dogs unfriendly although they are really not excessively suspicious. Teach the dogs when young to live with cats so that they can live together without major conflict
EXERCISE: The adaptability to a variety of living conditions of the Australian Terrier is phenomenal but it is most happy when able to romp and play.
