Breed History:

Developed in Australia, the Australian Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers. It was first shown as the Australian Rough-Coated Terrier in 1868 in Melbourne and was officially recognized in 1933. The breed was likely created by crossing several terrier breeds—including the Irish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and Skye Terrier. Originally, these dogs were used for rodent and snake control, served as vigilant watchdogs, and were valued as companions. Today, the Australian Terrier is admired for its tracking ability, agility, and knack for performing tricks.

Size – Small-sized dog

Weight – 4-6 kg

Height – 23-28 cm

Life Expectancy: 15 years

Breed Appearance: 

Affectionately known as “Aussies,” the Australian Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers and boasts a distinctive, rugged appearance. Their rough, weatherproof coat—measuring about 2–3 inches long—is typically seen in solid red, sandy, or dark and silvery blue hues accented by tan markings on the head and legs. Much like how Yorkies are groomed for a polished look, Aussies are often maintained to highlight their unique topknot and lighter, finer-textured ruff that drapes around their long head. This feature, combined with their erect, v‑shaped ears, sparkling dark eyes, and a precisely met scissors bite, gives them an air of confident determination. The breed’s compact yet sturdy frame is marked by a level topline, strong, moderately wide chest, and small, cat-like feet—while a docked tail adds to their alert, ready-for-action stance.

Breed Type - Family/guard:

The Australian Shepherd is a dynamic, energetic breed with the drive of a dedicated working dog. It possesses boundless stamina and loyalty, showing immense affection for its family while its remarkable intelligence renders it highly trainable and versatile. This agile, spirited, and self-assured companion has keen eyesight and acute hearing, making it an outstanding herder and watchdog. 

Eager to please its master, it adapts quickly to obedience training and thrives when engaged in mental and physical challenges. Though naturally protective of its owners and territory, it remains friendly with familiar faces and is particularly gentle with children, provided they respect its boundaries. However, its herding instinct may lead it to try to herd other pets or even small children, so supervision and early training are essential. 

Training:

Surprisingly a clever breed, Australian Terriers can be taught basic exercises routinely. Despite their notable smarts, Aussies are not always easy to train. They can be stubborn and often lack consistent focus, making training efforts more challenging than expected. Training becomes effective when positive reinforcement, praise, and treats are consistently offered. 

Generally, most Australian Terriers are quick and bright learners, though their performance depends largely on the nature of the commands given. They will likely quickly master various fun tricks, including dance, beg, roll over, and spin. Additional enjoyable activities for Aussies include challenging puzzles, nose work, fetch, and agility.

Health & Care:

The Australian Terrier is a hardy, healthy breed that is long-lived and generally free of major hereditary diseases.

Living Condition:

The Australian Terrier adapts well to apartment living. It is fairly active indoors and can thrive without a yard, provided it receives regular walks on a leash. However, it should not be allowed to roam freely due to its strong chasing instinct.

Exercise:

The Australian Terrier is an adaptable little dog that requires daily walks. It also enjoys the opportunity to romp and play in a secure area.

Grooming:

The Australian Terrier’s stiff, long, shaggy coat is easy to maintain and does not require clipping. Simply brush it several times a week, taking care of the soft undercoat. Regular brushing stimulates natural oils, giving the coat a healthy shine. Since the breed standard calls for a hard coat, frequent bathing should be avoided—washing more than once a month may make the coat limp. 

Brush the coat while it dries to maintain its texture. If needed, trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors. The coat also benefits from plucking about every three months. Additionally, nails should be trimmed regularly. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Advantages:

• Sheds very lightly 

• Calm with other pets

• Inquisitive and Lively, roam swiftly with light-footed elegance

• Easy to carry, fine-boned, and take minimal space

• A great watchdog. 

• Have minimal exercising needs

Disadvantages:

• Prone to barking

• Fragile, demanding plenty of monitoring and supervision

• Regular combing and brushing

• Shrillness, nastiness, and suspiciousness when spoiled or not socialized well