Australian Terrier
Description
The Australian Terrier is affectionately known as the “Aussie”. Australian Terrier is one of the few non-English terriers. Created by Australian setters, The Australian Terrier is the smallest of the working terriers. He has boundless, playful energy and is a very loyal and affectionate companion for his immediate family. He adapts well to all living conditions and climates. Because of his quiet and affectionate nature, the Australian Terrier makes a great companion for children, elderly or the handicapped.
Size of Male: Height: 10-11 inches Weight: 12-16 pounds
Size of Female: Height: 10-11 inches Weight: 12-16 pounds
Temperament
The Australian Terrier is a tough, cheeky little fellow with the courage of a much larger dog. The Australian Terrier 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. Australian Terrier is an alert, amusing and loveable little dog. Spirited, curious, and self-assuring, 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. They are friendly with other dogs as well as other pets. However, they may chase small animals outside the house and should be in a safe area at all times. Strangers, on the other hand, may find these dogs unfriendly although they are really not excessively suspicious. The Australian Terrier is a good dog to travel with. The training of the Australian Terrier needs to be strict because this dog prefers to follow its own ideas, although they learn very quickly. The Australian Terrier is a very economical breed to feed.
Living Conditions
The Australian Terrier is good for apartment living. Australian Terrier is fairly active indoors and will do ok without a yard provided it is taken for walks on a lead. Australian Terrier should not be allowed to roam free because it has a tendency to chase. Do make sure you keep it on a lead at all times if you have not trained it not to chase yet.
Upkeep
Australian Terrier is an active breed that needs a good outing every day, either a moderate walk, a rollicking game, or an off-lead run in a safe area. Australian Terrier was created to withstand harsh Australian conditions and is physically able to stay outdoors in temperate to warm climates. Australian Terrier is also a good house dog and needs to spend time with its family. Its wire coat needs weekly combing plus twice yearly stripping of dead hairs (regular plucking of dead hairs will keep the coat in optimal condition all year round). Some trimming around the feet will also add to a tidy look.
Health
Major concerns: Arthritis, Diabetes
Minor concerns: Patellar luxation, Legg – Pertes Disease
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years