Australian Terrier - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small

Height: About 25 cm (10 inches)

Weight: About 6.5 kg (14 lb)

Life Span: 15 years

Grooming: Minimal

Exercise: Undemanding

Feeding: Small

Temperament: Extroverted & friendly

Country of Origin: Australia

AKC Group: Terrier

Temperament:

The Australian Terrier is alert, energetic, playful and responsive. Australian Terriers make excellent watchdogs while not being aggressive. They are eager to please their family and are extremely affectionate and spirited. Australian Terriers are easily trained and shouldn't be kept kennelled in small areas, to avoid their natural spirit being destroyed. The Australian Terrier makes a good all-round household and family pet.

Grooming:

Regular brushing is needed to keep the coat of the Australian Terrier looking healthy and tangle-free. These dogs should also be stripped (the dead hairs plucked out) about every three months and any excess hair in the ear canals should be removed. The breed standard prefers a hard coat and therefore these dogs should not be washed frequently as it makes the hair lank. If the coat is kept in good condition then Australian Terriers should shed very little hair.

Exercise:

Australian Terriers are extremely adaptable and do not need great amounts of exercise. They are happiest with roaming about the garden and playing.

History:

The evolution of Australian Terriers took place in Tasmania in the early 1800s, where small broken coated blue and tan terriers were being bred. Later infusions of Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Manchester and Irish Terrier lines were crossed with these blue and tan dogs and this resulted in solid red and sandy colors joining the blue/tans. The breed flourished and by 1870, the first Australian Terrier Club was established. The breed standard was altered in 1947, and from then the drop eared variety was no longer recognised leaving only the erect eared variety.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Sturdy, compact and vivacious.

Color: Blue or silver grey with tan markings - or - whole red or sandy.

Coat: The outercoat is straight, stiff and dense (approx. 6cm ); the undercoat is soft.

Tail: High-set erect tail, which is customarily docked.

Ears: Small, erect, pointed, set high, with short hair.

Body: Rather long, level back and deep flanks.

Additional Comments:

Australian Terriers are ideal for either country or city life, as they are very adaptable and have low exercise demands.

Australian Terriers are known to bark a lot.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/australian_terrier/